Can't open file except with associated program. What do I do?

02-26-2008

I used to be able to open a file from Documents or Recent Documents and other
places and just double click on the file and it opened. Now though, I have to
be in the program that the file is associated with to be able to open it. I
hate this. But I don't know what changed or how to fix it.
So basically if it is an Excel file I have to open Excel first and then open
the program from there.
Can you tell me what I need to change, install, or what I need to do to get
the files to just open from Documents and Recent Documents?
Thanks,

02-26-2008

Run System Restore to a time before the problem began.

"Laura" <Laura@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:2F0D7256-D975-41C3-8F4C-FF113C8FD2CD@xxxxxx

	Quote:
	>I used to be able to open a file from Documents or Recent Documents and >other > places and just double click on the file and it opened. Now though, I have > to > be in the program that the file is associated with to be able to open it. > I > hate this. But I don't know what changed or how to fix it. > So basically if it is an Excel file I have to open Excel first and then > open > the program from there. > Can you tell me what I need to change, install, or what I need to do to > get > the files to just open from Documents and Recent Documents? > Thanks,

02-26-2008

Hi Laura,

Try this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/211494

"Laura" <Laura@xxxxxx> wrote in message
news:2F0D7256-D975-41C3-8F4C-FF113C8FD2CD@xxxxxx

	Quote:
	>I used to be able to open a file from Documents or Recent Documents and >other > places and just double click on the file and it opened. Now though, I have > to > be in the program that the file is associated with to be able to open it. > I > hate this. But I don't know what changed or how to fix it. > So basically if it is an Excel file I have to open Excel first and then > open > the program from there. > Can you tell me what I need to change, install, or what I need to do to > get > the files to just open from Documents and Recent Documents? > Thanks,

--
Jane, not plain

64 bit enabled :-)
Batteries not included. Braincell on vacation ;-)
MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

02-26-2008	#1 (permalink)
Laura Guest	Can't open file except with associated program. What do I do? I used to be able to open a file from Documents or Recent Documents and other places and just double click on the file and it opened. Now though, I have to be in the program that the file is associated with to be able to open it. I hate this. But I don't know what changed or how to fix it. So basically if it is an Excel file I have to open Excel first and then open the program from there. Can you tell me what I need to change, install, or what I need to do to get the files to just open from Documents and Recent Documents? Thanks,

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