How to re-assign an extension (e.g. *.pdf) to program in "Open with..." context menu?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Eugen Austermann
  • Start date Start date
E

Eugen Austermann

Sometimes the following situation appears:

I can open successfully files with a certain extension in a program.
But when I want to go the other way round and want to open the same file (with the same program)
in WinExplorer by double clicking this does not work.

For example I installed Acrobat Reader on an USB stick and can open *.pdf files from inside Reader.
On the other hand double clicking on the *.pdf does not open it in AcrobatReader.

As a first solution I right click on an pdf doc, then select "Open with", then "Choose Program"
(remember Reader is not listed because it was installed on another computer), then I selected
"AcroRd32.exe" from the USB Stick drive and hit OK.

Much to my surprise AcrobatReader is still NOT listed as (possible) target software for *.pdf
extensions. Why?

How do I re-assign an extension *.xxx to a program without re-installing the program on the
second computer again ? This must work somehow. I have seen it somewhere.

BTW: This does NOT work through WinExplorer->Tools->FolderOptions->FileTypes either.

Eugen
 
Its surprising that installing Reader to a memory stick worked, or any other
App installed that way
 
Eugen Austermann said:
Sometimes the following situation appears:

I can open successfully files with a certain extension in a program.
But when I want to go the other way round and want to open the same file
(with the same program)
in WinExplorer by double clicking this does not work.

For example I installed Acrobat Reader on an USB stick and can open *.pdf
files from inside Reader.
On the other hand double clicking on the *.pdf does not open it in
AcrobatReader.

As a first solution I right click on an pdf doc, then select "Open with",
then "Choose Program"
(remember Reader is not listed because it was installed on another
computer), then I selected
"AcroRd32.exe" from the USB Stick drive and hit OK.

Much to my surprise AcrobatReader is still NOT listed as (possible) target
software for *.pdf
extensions. Why?

How do I re-assign an extension *.xxx to a program without re-installing
the program on the
second computer again ? This must work somehow. I have seen it somewhere.

BTW: This does NOT work through
WinExplorer->Tools->FolderOptions->FileTypes either.

Eugen
Click to expand...

Try this:
- Start Explorer or My Computer.
- Double-click the .pdf file.
- When prompted, select Acrobat.
- Tick the box "Always use the selected program. . . "
 
G'day Eugen,

POME Here

Open any folder

Tools | Folder Options | File Types

Find PDF files & click the DEFAULT button which should put Acrobat Reader as the chosen
application | click Apply | click OK

Alternatively, right-click | Open With | click Browse & navigate to the Adobe folder...
then you can check the checkbox to always use that application...
 
G'day Eugen,

POME Here

Open any folder

Tools | Folder Options | File Types

Find PDF files & click the DEFAULT button which should put Acrobat Reader as the chosen
application | click Apply | click OK

Alternatively, right-click | Open With | click Browse & navigate to the Adobe folder...
then you can check the checkbox to always use that application...
Click to expand...

You Can Use "Associate.exe" Available To Be Downloaded From Here
http://www.petri.co.il/download_free_reskit_tools.htm

Like This:-

Adds The Association Of ".pdf" With "AcroRd32.exe"
Associate .pdf AcroRd32.exe

Returns The Association Of ".pdf" If Exits
Associate .pdf
 
Try this:
- Start Explorer or My Computer.
- Double-click the .pdf file.
Click to expand...

That should launch Adobe and load the file. If Adobe has not
registered the all-important file extension, try reinstalling it.
- When prompted, select Acrobat.
- Tick the box "Always use the selected program. . . "
Click to expand...

Just don't forget that assigning that particular file extension to a
program which cannot import those particular files will be kind of a
waste of time, since changing a file extension doesn't always make it
readable in the programs for which that file type was assigned.

NOTE about file extensions:

They usually represent file FORMATS, not just NAMES of files. The
..pdf extension is pretty much the standard extension for files created
using an Adobe (or Adobe-compatible) program. If Adobe failed to
register that particular extension (so important to its operation),
something went wrong with your Adobe installation, or it is an old
version. Upgrade to Adobe 7 or 8.

Donald L.McDaniel
Please reply to original thread and newsgroup.
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