Hi, scurvy:
By design, the Open With menu option is not available when you right-click executable files (.cmd, .bat, .pif, .scf, .exe, .com, or .scr), or shortcuts to executable files.
If you've lost the Open With menu option for ALL file types, including non-executable files, follow this steps:
- Click Start, All Programs, Accesories, Notepad.
- Copy and paste this text:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shellex\ContextMenuHandlers\Open With]
@="{09799AFB-AD67-11d1-ABCD-00C04FC30936}"
- Click File, Save As, name the file "OpenWith.reg" (WITH THE QUOTATION MARKS) and click OK.
- Now double-click OpenWith.reg, click Continue, Yes, OK, and see if the problem is solved.
P.S: My personal advice is not to use ANY registry cleaner on the system.
Microsoft MVP Windows Desktop Experience