How do I restore executability to .msi files after an "Open With" accident?

[WlvnSpectre]

So there I was being my relatively tech savvy self on a fresh install of Windows 2000, and just starting to decide what to install from backups, what to download, etc, etc.

I wasn't sure if the file I was looking at installing, a Microsoft Installer File (.MSI), and I knew that my handy dandy WinRAR could give me a peek.

1)right clicked on file, chose "open with"

2)selected WinRAR

3)I forgot to check the check box for always using this to open this type of file (Me am smart!)

4)It opens alright, and when I decided "oh yeah... I know what that is, I'm going to install that." only to find that the Icon had changed.

5)I tried "open with"ing to WinRAR making sure that that box was unchecked, and tried "open with"ing to nothing. sure the Icons changed but the .MSI file won't launch, and neither will any others (of course)

I looked from Microsoft to Computer service sites. No mention, no info.

Did I mention Me am Smart, me find way to mess up computer in three mouse clicks.

Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelp!

 

[EAFiedler]

Hi WlvnSpectre

Welcome to Tech Support Guy Forums!

I am looking at Windows XP, hopefully Windows 2000 is similar in the steps.
Control Panel > Tools > Folder Options > File types tab

Scroll down the extension list to msi and highlight the File type.
Click Advanced
If open appears in the Actions: window, delete it.

I show the following actions for the msi file type:
Install
Uninstall
Repair

Windows Installer is listed as the program for Open with.

Let us know if that works for you or not.

 

[WlvnSpectre]

Thanks Alot... with a few differances it worked
Control Panel>Folder Options>File Types

Then it said in the space below the window when I selected MSI, that I had customized it. there were 2 buttons; Change and Restore. Selecting change takes me to the same window as "Open With" did. Clicking Restore reset it to Microsoft Installer.

Thank you EAFiedler

WolvenSpectre
Currently 10 - 15 yards from the Flooding Saskatchwan River (Think Canada's Mississipi River only flooding, and not so muddy)

See...Me said me am smart!