Deleting the program name from the Open With List

  • Thread starter Thread starter Ramesh, MS-MVP
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Ramesh, MS-MVP

Open-with dialog or the Open-with sub-menu?

To remove an application from the open-with dialog, then open Regedit.exe
and navigate to:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Applications\

Delete the <Programname>.exe sub-key.

To remove items from the Open-with menu, see:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/openwith.htm

Additionally, to prevent an application from being listed in the Open With
dialog and menu, then use the "NoOpenWith" registry value, which is
documented in this MSDN article:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/d...sics_extending/fileassociations/fileassoc.asp

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com
 
Here's the deal, I am one of those unfortunate people who have to have things
as perfect as possible. I was playing around with my computer and added a non
executional program to my list. Now here's the kicker I have and use the
program itself, I just browsed and picked a incorrect version of it and now I
can't remove from list. What do I need to do?!?!
 
I should also add that the list I am referring to is the one that when you
right click on the item and click on Open With...
 
Your information you provided states where to go on the regedit to see what's
in the OpenWithList. But there is not + sign in front of it = no submenu.

Now what?!?!
 
In which registry location. OpenWithList can be from HKCU or from HKCR. And
you still did not state if your original question is about the open-with
menu, or the dialog?

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com
 
what's the difference between the menu or dialog?

As I mentioned before. The list I am referring to is the one when you
right-click on the item and you click on Open With... and a list of programs
show up. And then I can select the program from the list or browse for
something different to open that file with!
 
Then you're referring to the open-with dialog.

To remove an application from the open-with dialog, open Regedit.exe and
navigate to:
Backup the following keys by exporting to a REG file. (Use the File > Export
option)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\Applications\
Delete the <Programname>.exe sub-key.

Repeat the same here:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Applications\
Delete the <Programname>.exe sub-key if exists.

Close Regedit.exe

--
Ramesh, Microsoft MVP
Windows XP Shell/User

Windows XP Troubleshooting
http://www.winhelponline.com
 
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