Can't set default program in Windows

**SimonMac** · 18 June 2015, 12:22

Originally posted by xoggoth View Post

Searching net and nothing works, nobody seems to have quite the same problem.

I just want to click on php files and have them open in a text editor but keep getting the "Windows can't open this file" popup. I can then open by selecting the program but next time I get the pop up again even though the "Always use the selected program" thing is working and ticked.

In php file properties, "Opens with" shows Windows Shell Common Dll and I can't change it although my user account is shown as having full control.

In control panel/default programs/associate a file type with a program type php does not appear and there is no means of adding it.

This is only a problem in standard user, admin works ok.

Any ideas? Ta.

Can you not right clcik the file and select "Open With" there should be a check box that says always do this?

When you go into file properties and change the assoicated program the check box is greyed out, but not when you do it this way

**xoggoth** · 18 June 2015, 18:02

Ta but no. All approaches get the same open with box and the same problem - it opens in selected program but next time it doesn't although "Always use this program" is ticked. It isn't greyed out (as relevant links on net) and is changeable, just doesn't help to tick it.

**NotAllThere** · 19 June 2015, 06:24

Try Start (or Search for Windows 8), Default Programs.

Either "Associate a file type or protocol with a program" or "Set your default programs" should work.

**xoggoth** · 19 June 2015, 11:10

Can't. PHP does not appear in the file type list. Although it does for another user.

**NotAllThere** · 19 June 2015, 11:40

Run as administrator?

**Boney M** · 19 June 2015, 21:57

You should be able to.

Alteratively download Notepad++ https://notepad-plus-plus.org/download/v6.7.9.html

Install and go to Settings>preferences>file assoc>web/html script>click .php and add it, close Notepad++ and the go and open a php

**xoggoth** · 21 June 2015, 21:40

Cheers. Expect last may have worked but wanted to use PFE. Ancient but I like it.

Did everything I could find on net, changed to admin, permissions, fiddled with registry, used various utils, nowt worked.

In the end had to set up a new user and copy across the essential stuff. Copying all of appdata just copied the problem so it isn't to do with the registry.

PS Drag and drop onto PFE or use "send to" (that's just a folder in appdata) were alternatives but not quite so convenient as just clicking,

**darrylmg** · 23 June 2015, 22:17

Originally posted by xoggoth View Post

Cheers. Expect last may have worked but wanted to use PFE. Ancient but I like it.

Did everything I could find on net, changed to admin, permissions, fiddled with registry, used various utils, nowt worked.

In the end had to set up a new user and copy across the essential stuff. Copying all of appdata just copied the problem so it isn't to do with the registry.

PS Drag and drop onto PFE or use "send to" (that's just a folder in appdata) were alternatives but not quite so convenient as just clicking,

I've had this sort of issue with java webstart files.
It was caused by a dodgy entry in the registry giving duplicate entries for the registered program assigned to the file extension.
Windows didn't know which of the programs I wanted so it didn't open it at all and refused to let me reassign a default program.
It was originally caused by the evil Java update process.
I don't remember the exact registry key or even the branch, but the info above may be enough to help a google search.

**xoggoth** · 25 June 2015, 21:57

Cheers. Got it sorted now by just creating a new user and being very selective about what I copy. Probably some install or update did it but so far has not recurred.

Can't set default program in Windows