"Open With" Command Missing from the Context Menu

ID: Q218805

The information in this article applies to:
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.

SYMPTOMS

When you double-click an unknown file type, an unexpected default action may occur.

When you right-click an unknown file type, the Open With command may be missing from the context menu that appears.


CAUSE

This behavior can occur if the registry key that handles the command is altered or damaged.


RESOLUTION

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it. If you are running Windows NT, you should also update your Emergency Repair Disk (ERD).

Use Registry Editor to examine the file association key for unknown file types:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shell\openas\command
The "default" value for this key should read:
C:\%windir%\rundll32.exe shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL %1
If necessary, modify the value to match the value shown here.

Additional query words: 


Keywords          : kbenv kbui win95 win98 
Version           : WINDOWS:95
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: March 19, 1999