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File does not have a program associated with it.

Anonymous
2017-06-26T12:34:30+00:00

"this file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. please install a program, or if one is already installed create an association in the default programs control panel"

I suddenly get this message when trying to open a file or folder, the only way to open them is to right click and then click on open, CMD has also appeared at the top of the right hand click menu. how can I get back to just clicking a file or folder and it opens? thanks.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. @CmdrKeene 90,626 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2017-06-26T17:14:18+00:00

    Sounds like the file association got set incorrectly.  Luckily it can be easily corrected.  This site below has a full list of a great many common file associations:  Restore Default File Type Associations

    Go to that page and find both "Directory" and "Folder" in the list.  Download and run those and it should fix your ability to open folders.  You may need to do the same for your "LNK" files, which is also in that list.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-06-27T15:50:52+00:00

    Many thanks Shawn, not sure what corrupted the associations but your solution worked, cheers, mark.

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