[funkymunky111]

Hey guys! I hope someone has had this issue before or knows how to fix it.

I have no idea how my computer got messed up like this, but after reading some articles online, it might be a registry problem.

Anywhoo, my problem is that when I click on one of my desktop shortcuts or even other shortcuts in folders (such as add/remove or even 'run') the program will not open, instead it opens up a 'OPEN WITH' window, and I have to pick the option of what to open the program with. It works okay for firefox and video files, but it is extremely hard to open other programs and I would really like to get it fixed somehow.

I checked out Doug Knox's website and tried the Folder and LNK fix for the registry but both did not work. Hopefully someone knows what to do! Thanks!

[catmilk]

How long you had this problem?? If not to long then check this link out!!

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084

[funkymunky111]

I've tried a system restore, but the thing is, when I click on the system restore icon, it opens the 'OPEN WITH' window and I can't select on it. I just can't get into the programs I want to, because theres something wrong with the shortcuts.

[catmilk]

Do a system restore via safe mode with command prompt here is a link.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449

[Drabdr]

Hello there!

An interesting situation indeed.

Can you open any of your applications? All Programs, Accessories, Notepad, and click it, will your Notepad application open?

When you view your files on your hard drive, do they show in proper format? Meaning, Word files appear as Word files, Adobe files appear as Adobe PDF files, etc.?

[funkymunky111]

Originally Posted by catmilk

Do a system restore via safe mode with command prompt here is a link.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/304449

Okay, I CANNOT open up the command prompt without the 'OPEN WITH' window popping up. So it's not going to work.

Hello there!

An interesting situation indeed.

Can you open any of your applications? All Programs, Accessories, Notepad, and click it, will your Notepad application open?

When you view your files on your hard drive, do they show in proper format? Meaning, Word files appear as Word files, Adobe files appear as Adobe PDF files, etc.?

When I click on Notepad, the 'OPEN WITH' window pops up and I have to click to run it as Notepad. The same is for firefox. But the more complicated applications I can barely open at all. Yes, all my files are fine, it's just something is re-routing the shortcuts to open as 'OPEN WITH...'

[catmilk]

You need to boot into safe mode with command prompt!! So yes it will work cause when you boot into safe mode with command prompt that is the only thing on the screen it has no other options in safe mode with command prompt so you will not need to open it it is already opened for you!!

After you boot into safe mode with command prompt type in (%systemroot%\system32\restore\rstrui.exe,)and hit enter

[funkymunky111]

My computer doesn't have the option to open in safe mode.

[catmilk]

Are you sure cause every xp computer has that option!! reboot the machine hit f8 repeatedly and tell me what options you have.

[funkymunky111]

OH MY LORD. There is something messed up going on because I went into the safe mode command prompt, opened up System Restore, it worked fine and I went back 2 months, before I even had this shortcut problem and now it's still doing the same thing!

[Drabdr]

Here is a link I found on the similar issue:

http://www.computing.net/answers/win...am/193094.html

I would try the EXE file association fix first to see if that helps with your situation.

[funkymunky111]

Catmilk helped me figure it out, thanks!!

[Drabdr]

I'm glad you got it solved.