file assoc issue

[Guest]

I'm having an issue with File Association in Vista. I set a file association
for a particular file. But, when I move the program that opens this file to
another directory, the file will no longer open in that program. And, to make
matters worse, I cannot re-associate the file with that program. In other
words, I'll either right-click>open-with, or properties>change, and although
I can find and chose the program, it will not stick, much less even open at
all.

Specifically, the file type is .bin. The program is a lone standing program
that did not require any installation (not sure about terminology). I
previously associated the .bin files when the program was on the desktop. As
long as the program is on the desktop, the file will open just fine. But if I
move the program off the desktop, the file association stops working - and I
cannot re-associate. The only way to remedy is to move the program back to
the desktop.

Does anyone know what I can do?

 

[cquirke (MVP Windows shell/user)]

On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 11:19:05 -0700, eyc908

I'm having an issue with File Association in Vista. I set a file association
for a particular file. But, when I move the program that opens this file to
another directory, the file will no longer open in that program.

Don't move apps once they have registry references to them

If you have to do that, then try rt-drag and Move. This is the
reliocation method most likely to be auto-tracked by Windows.

I cannot re-associate the file with that program.

First, you'd need to flush the old refrerence to the app, so that a
new one can be created - or you can try renaming the app's executable
so it doesn't look the same anymore, but that's likely to break other
stuff. What I'd do is use Regedit to search for references to the old
filespec of your app (e.g. C:\Old\Path\App.exe) and manually change
these to point to the new filespec (e.g. C:\New\Path\App.exe)

Caveats apply - but there are no clean solutions here, once you barfed
things by moving the app. You'll have to get your hands a bit dirty

Specifically, the file type is .bin. The program is a lone standing program
that did not require any installation (not sure about terminology).

When you created a file association to it, or even shortcuts to it for
that matter, then it becomes somewhat tethered, just as a
formally-installed app might be.

previously associated the .bin files when the program was on the desktop. As
long as the program is on the desktop, the file will open just fine. But if I
move the program off the desktop, the file association stops working - and I
cannot re-associate. The only way to remedy is to move the program back to
the desktop.

The desktop is a "special" location, so when you do your registry
search, you may have to consider paths using %variables% that point to
the desktop in that way. Unlikely, tho; usually HKCR is straight
paths without support for %variable% syntax.

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Saws are too hard to use.
Be easier to use!

 

[Guest]

cquirke, thank you for the very helpful and informative response! I'll get to
work on this.