pptx files want to open in powerpoint 2003

I activated the Guest account. When I double clicked on a pptx file, it went through an Office activation routine, and then tried to open the file in PowerPoint 2003. So, the problem remains when a different user is logged in.

Having a different versions of ms power point in the same pc would definitely cause problems.

That's why when new version is installed it is recommended to upgrade the ole version or remove old version fully.

Because there will be conflicts in the registry settings if u keep all versions like this....

What is your need/purpose of having old versions of power point? Since powerpoint 2013 can handle old formats like ppt ? powerpoint 2013 is fully backword compatible...

if you really need old versions still u have to install it in different pcs or even u have to use virtual machines like vmware or virtual pc..

to open pptx in a pc where their is only office 2003 you can install compatibility pack and it can open pptx through old powerpoint 2003

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=3

First of all, PowerPoint is NOT fully backward compatible! We are finding many cases where files produced in 2007 and 2010 do not open properly in 2013. And earlier versions are even worse! We are a printing company that does scientific posters from PowerPoint, and the only versions of PowerPoint that are compatible are 2007 and 2010. I can send you examples. These are generally complex files in large sizes, not your typical slide presentation. Take a look at www.postersession.com to see what we are doing.

Having said that, it seems to me that there ought to be a way to set the default program and get it to stick.

From http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2784668

If you want to install and use more than one version of Office on the same computer without virtualization, use the following order. 

You must install the earliest version of Office first. For example, if you want to use both Office 2007 and Office 2013 programs on the same computer, install Office 2007 first. You must use this order because of how registry keys, shared programs, file name extensions, and other settings are managed for each version of the Office suites and programs.

I activated the Guest account. When I double clicked on a pptx file, it went through an Office activation routine, and then tried to open the file in PowerPoint 2003. So, the problem remains when a different user is logged in.

I am unable to change the default for pptx files to open in ppt 2013. I can associate the file with the latest powerpnt.exe file, but it doesn't take. 

I should mention that I have all the versions of PowerPoint back to 1998 loaded on this computer, since we print a lot of posters from the program and like to print from the version that the customer used.

Most recently I installed Office 2103, that's when the problem started.

I did go in and change the registry, which worked for a while and now the problem is back.

Many thanks for any guidance you can give.

as an problem isolation step, create a different windiws login and login and try to work using power point