Opening files and folders

  • Thread starter Thread starter John Cheek
  • Start date Start date
J

John Cheek

Unable to open, normally, some files and folders. Receive
a "not a valid Win32 application". I know I need to
change the program used to open it with, but I am not able
to figure out which program to use. Can you help? I can
open them using "explore".
 
Unable to open, normally, some files and folders. Receive
a "not a valid Win32 application". I know I need to
change the program used to open it with, but I am not able
to figure out which program to use. Can you help? I can
open them using "explore".
Click to expand...

What program should be selected depends on the extension of the file one is
trying to open.
 
-----Original Message-----


What program should be selected depends on the extension of the file one is
trying to open.

--
Sharon F
MS MVP - Windows XP Shell/User
.
That's part of my prob. When I go to Folder Options, it
Click to expand...
shows unknown ext. Documents and Settings is one of the
folder/files that I am having problems with. Thanx for
your help.
 
shows unknown ext. Documents and Settings is one of the
folder/files that I am having problems with. Thanx for
your help.
Click to expand...

Documents and Settings is a folder not a file. It has no extension. Are you
able to open other folders? If yes, then it is most likely a permissions
issue blocking access to the folder.

Have you reinstalled lately? Are you logged on with an account in the
Administrator group? Even an administrator can lose access to some accounts
after a reinstall. Solution is to "take ownership":
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

Also.... MVP Doug Knox has maintained a "file association fix" list for
several versions of Windows now. You'll find his fixes for XP on this page:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

The list includes the "Directory" fix. While there is no extension
involved, the registry keys for directories (folders) can get messed up
with some of the popular tweaks found around the internet. If it gets
broken, Doug has it covered, Direct link to the fix:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/fileassoc/xp_directory_reg.zip
 
Documents and Settings is a folder not a file. It has no extension. Are you
able to open other folders? If yes, then it is most likely a permissions
issue blocking access to the folder.

Have you reinstalled lately? Are you logged on with an account in the
Administrator group? Even an administrator can lose access to some accounts
after a reinstall. Solution is to "take ownership":
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308421

Also.... MVP Doug Knox has maintained a "file association fix" list for
several versions of Windows now. You'll find his fixes for XP on this page:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

The list includes the "Directory" fix. While there is no extension
involved, the registry keys for directories (folders) can get messed up
with some of the popular tweaks found around the internet. If it gets
broken, Doug has it covered, Direct link to the fix:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/fileassoc/xp_directory_reg.zip
Click to expand...

PS: Wouldn't hurt to check your system for viruses. There are several that
knock out the basic extension/associations so that it is difficult to get
to the tools needed to perform a thorough cleanup.
 
-----Original Message-----


Documents and Settings is a folder not a file. It has no extension. Are you
able to open other folders? If yes, then it is most likely a permissions
issue blocking access to the folder.

Have you reinstalled lately? Are you logged on with an account in the
Administrator group? Even an administrator can lose access to some accounts
after a reinstall. Solution is to "take ownership":
HOW TO: Take Ownership of a File or Folder in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en- us;308421

Also.... MVP Doug Knox has maintained a "file association fix" list for
several versions of Windows now. You'll find his fixes for XP on this page:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/file_assoc.htm

The list includes the "Directory" fix. While there is no extension
involved, the registry keys for directories (folders) can get messed up
with some of the popular tweaks found around the internet. If it gets
broken, Doug has it covered, Direct link to the fix:
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/fileassoc/xp_directory_reg.zip

--
Sharon F
MS MVP - Windows XP Shell/User
.
Hey, great. Dougs directory fix did the job.
Click to expand...
Fantastic. I really appreciate the help. Thank you mucho.
 
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