Windows 7 Ultimate x86 RC Build 7100/ unexpected failure with Windows Explorer (explorer.exe)
After a few days of the RC evaluation, I found that the file explorer (explorer.exe) does not start, when Im running it from the Desktop shortcut or directly from the Windows Directory. The following Error Message appears (see img below): "THIS FILE DOES NOT HAVE A PROGRAM ASSOCIATED WITH IT FOR PERFORMINGTHIS ACTION. PLEASE INSTALL A PROGRAM OR, IFONE IS ALREADY INSTALLED,CREATE AN ASSOCIATION IN THE DEAFAULT PROGRAMS CONTROL PANEL." I didnt find any references to the Windows Explorer In the CP Default Programs Section, except for the Windows Search Explorer(see img below): Repeated setting the SearchExplorer as a default application didnt resolve the problem. Any ideas helping to fix this strange failure would be appreciated.
May 15th, 2009 7:29pm

i'm getting the same thing, i can access my files if i go to start> Computer, then a windows explorer window pops up, but if i click the explorer icon on the task bar or type explorer.exe or explorer into Run/New Task in Task Manager, it comes up with the Error that "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 also tried doing a system restore to earlier today and got no difference.
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June 2nd, 2009 11:10am

Everybody - Seems this isn't an isolated issue - there's another thread from someone with the same problem found here. There isn't an easy solution as yet... Do either of you recall at what point Explorer.exe started misbehaving and what you were doing just before it stopped? If we can find a common event, we can fix it.
June 2nd, 2009 11:38am

Nothing Happened by adding these registry values!Actually this error happens when i click manage (which appears on clicking right in "start menu>>comuter")I dont know why it happens...after installing some software or some optimizing setting.Plz Help.....
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August 13th, 2009 11:29am

WOW! Thankyou very much Aaditya! After I used a regcleaner I had this problem when I tried to open windows explorer but thanks to you now I managed to fix it!
September 19th, 2009 7:40am

worked like a charm for me as well
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November 18th, 2009 3:30am

hi jean,can you let me know please whats your exact problem?I will try to solve it at my end.aaditya
November 27th, 2009 10:53am

Thanks dear
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November 27th, 2009 10:56am

Thank youMarschall !if you need any help you can contact to me witout anyhesitate,
November 27th, 2009 10:56am

I attempted to use your fix above as I am experiencing the same issue. However after coping the above registry keys and saving them in a a notepad file "abd.reg" I selected the MERGE option but got back the following error:Cannot import C:\users\jhosek\desktop\abd.reg: The specified file is not a registry script. You can only import binary registry files from within the registry editor.Any suggestions??Jeff H
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December 22nd, 2009 8:29am

hi,have u create a .reg file with editor specified?Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\opennewprocess\command]"DelegateExecute"="{11dbb47c-a525-400b-9e80-a54615a090c0}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\opennewwindow\command]"DelegateExecute"="{11dbb47c-a525-400b-9e80-a54615a090c0}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\opensearchfilefolderresult\shell\open\command]@="""DelegateExecute"="{99969a8f-27e6-4adf-ab9f-b5b5e90d4733}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\command]"DelegateExecute"="{11dbb47c-a525-400b-9e80-a54615a090c0}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMP11.AssocFile.m3u\shell\Enqueue\command]"DelegateExecute"="{45597c98-80f6-4549-84ff-752cf55e2d29}"Added by ModeratorWarning: While this procedure might solve the issue or problem, serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk. For more information about modifying the registry, see Microsoft support article 256986.please try this if your have any doubt please ask me..aaditya
January 22nd, 2010 3:06pm

i tried that and got the same problem someone else got. if you have another answer, my gmail is skawalter@gmail.com
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February 5th, 2010 3:03am

hi,have u create a .reg file with editor specified?Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\opennewprocess\command]"DelegateExecute"="{11dbb47c-a525-400b-9e80-a54615a090c0}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\opennewwindow\command]"DelegateExecute"="{11dbb47c-a525-400b-9e80-a54615a090c0}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\opensearchfilefolderresult\shell\open\command]@="""DelegateExecute"="{99969a8f-27e6-4adf-ab9f-b5b5e90d4733}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\command]"DelegateExecute"="{11dbb47c-a525-400b-9e80-a54615a090c0}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMP11.AssocFile.m3u\shell\Enqueue\command]"DelegateExecute"="{45597c98-80f6-4549-84ff-752cf55e2d29}"please try this if your have any doubt please ask me..aaditya Hey Aaditya or however you spell it-I've had this error for a month, tried about 100 different things to fix it and YOUR fix is the only fix that worked!I think I got infected by a website that served up a fake AV, in a popunder my AV prog didnt catch.Thanx a bunch for the fix!You guys remember - Too apply this fix, paste it into NOTEPAD, then "Save As" and "All Files" and save it as a ".REG" file.If you have THIS particular Error: IE, you klik on Explorer.EXE or try to RUN explorer.EXE and you get THAt SPECIFIC ERROR: "This file does not have an association" - If you do not have THAT particular error, this THIS fix is not YOUR fix.There are about 15 or so different Explorer.EXE errors, you gotta read the fixes to see if they apply to you.Thanx Again aaditya
February 12th, 2010 10:09pm

Aaditya, Thank you. Worked like a charm. Rick
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March 3rd, 2010 3:52am

Hi Aadity! I've the same error coming up on my pc running windows 7(explorer.exe) I created a .reg file by pasting the keys above into note pad. However, I failed to successfully import this .reg file into the registry. I get an error message saying that..."cannot import .reg. The specified file is not a registry file. You can import only registry files." Please help! Thanks.
April 26th, 2010 11:49pm

Hi bobby, Please copy the below text and paste into the notepad file and save with .reg Please do not hesitate to contact us. aaditya Added by Moderator: Warning: Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk. See How to back up the registry ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;; Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\opennewprocess\command] "DelegateExecute"="{11dbb47c-a525-400b-9e80-a54615a090c0}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\opennewwindow\command] "DelegateExecute"="{11dbb47c-a525-400b-9e80-a54615a090c0}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\opensearchfilefolderresult\shell\open\command] @="" "DelegateExecute"="{99969a8f-27e6-4adf-ab9f-b5b5e90d4733}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\command] "DelegateExecute"="{11dbb47c-a525-400b-9e80-a54615a090c0}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMP11.AssocFile.m3u\shell\Enqueue\command] "DelegateExecute"="{45597c98-80f6-4549-84ff-752cf55e2d29}" ;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
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May 1st, 2010 9:21am

according to the link http://uneit.com/2009/10/20/fix-windows-7-library-cannot-open-or-explorer-no-association/comment-page-1/#comment-1784, the original key values should be the following (this should make the right click context menu prettier): Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\opennewprocess] "MUIVerb"="@shell32.dll,-8518" "MultiSelectModel"="Document" "Extended"="" "LaunchExplorerFlags"=dword:00000003 "ExplorerHost"="{ceff45ee-c862-41de-aee2-a022c81eda92}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\opennewprocess\command] "DelegateExecute"="{11dbb47c-a525-400b-9e80-a54615a090c0}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\opennewwindow] "MUIVerb"="@shell32.dll,-8517" "MultiSelectModel"="Document" "OnlyInBrowserWindow"="" "LaunchExplorerFlags"=dword:00000001 [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\opennewwindow\command] "DelegateExecute"="{11dbb47c-a525-400b-9e80-a54615a090c0}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\opensearchfilefolderresult\shell\open\command] @="" "DelegateExecute"="{99969a8f-27e6-4adf-ab9f-b5b5e90d4733}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder\shell\explore\command] "DelegateExecute"="{11dbb47c-a525-400b-9e80-a54615a090c0}" [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\WMP11.AssocFile.m3u\shell\Enqueue\command] "DelegateExecute"="{45597c98-80f6-4549-84ff-752cf55e2d29}"
June 27th, 2010 12:05am

@Aaditya thank you very much, running Win 7 Ultimate, this worked beautifully. I manually edited the Registry and copied the values you have posted. What a relief. There are however, still many more glitches in Ultimate and I'm sure most users will say "bring on SP1 asap", assuming that the average user don't dare to attempt manual changes to the Registry. Cheers - villa
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September 4th, 2010 8:35pm

@HPearce solves the problem with sugar and cream on top - thanks, villa
September 4th, 2010 9:07pm

thank you this registry fix worked for me also
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November 2nd, 2010 2:22pm

@HPearce thx man! it works for me :D
November 28th, 2010 12:19pm

This post is so old, and I don't know if you even check for responses anymore, but I just wanted to thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with us. I had the same issue, and it was really becoming a burden on me. I looked all over the place and many people either had other variations of the issue at hand, or the solution was just plain WRONG. I tried your method, and the problem was fixed immediately. For that I say thank you.
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January 12th, 2011 9:57pm

i use i get c:\window\system32\reg.exe reg.fil i got this file does not have a program associated with it for proforming this action, please install a program or, if one is already installed, create an association in the default programs contol panel. any files i cannot open help thank you window 7 i think i got this kind of earror message after i download trial kasperersky antvirs expired
January 16th, 2011 7:27am

Thank you HPearce!! This was the first guide i found which worked.... You just saved me from a LOT of time! P.S. I could still open folders by right clicking on the folder and press open, it just take a lot of time....
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January 19th, 2011 10:23am

Thank you HPearce!! This was the first guide i found which worked.... You just saved me from a LOT of time! P.S. I could still open folders by right clicking on the folder and press open, it just take a lot of time.... Aaditya and HPearce. Thanks so much for helping with this fix! I searched high and low for a solution to this problem and this fix is the only one that worked. I for some reason still cannot open regedit from neither Run or Task Manager but I saved this in notepad as .reg to my desktop then right-clicked then > Merge and right away I was able to open all my files in explorer again. You guys are awesome!
January 19th, 2011 12:12pm

The registry edit worked perfect, thanks a bunch.
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January 22nd, 2011 1:10am

I had exactly the same issue running Windows 7 Professional, recently. I initally suspected a virus, but after having done several scans, came up with nothing. Then, I realised that the problem only occured when having installed some recent updates. To confirm this, I performed a system restore prior to these updates being installed and found that the problem was no longer present. However, the updates reinstalled after the next boot and the problem was back again. Whether this is the exact cause is uncertain. I had not installed any programs or changed any settings at the time this problem occured, so it would seem than these updates may possibly have something to do with it. I only mention it as it may be of interest or explain as to why this problem occurred. The updates which were installed are as follows: Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool - February 2011 (KB890830) Cumulative Security Update for Internet Explorer 8 for Windows 7 (KB2482017) Security Update for Windows 7 (KB2475792) Security Update for Windows 7 (KB2425227) Security Update for Windows 7 (KB2479628) Update for Windows 7 (KB976902) Not happy to not have the latest updates, I decided to see if there was some way of resolving this issue, and followed the advice above by amending the registry. I'm pleased to say that your solution worked. I'm now able to open folders/drives correctly without this or any other error message occuring.
February 24th, 2011 11:46pm

Thank you Aaditya !
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March 16th, 2011 10:02pm

Hey, so I'm relatively new to this. I'm also having the same problem, except worse. Every program on my computer doesn't work. I get that error regardless of what I click on, whether it be a desktop icon, an icon pinned to my task bar, or an icon from the start menu. It all comes up with the same message that it pretty much doesn't exist. The same message as stated in the very first post. As of right now, all I can do is play videos, and through a fluke, access the internet through Firefox (but only when I open a video using it). I'm not as computer literate as the rest of you guys on here, so if you can help, that would be sweet. If not, I'm hoping my college's IT department will be able to take a look at it for free, haha. Thanks.
April 9th, 2011 2:41pm

I've discovered that I can run/open things as an administrator. So that changes the game a bit I think.
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April 9th, 2011 2:55pm

i get this error 5 time last time syster restore worked but now i cant open mine hard disk`s wht to do? this the error tht i get when i opened C:\ 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 Default Programs control panel
April 20th, 2011 12:08pm

Hello Aaditya, I'm getting the same error of: 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've looked at the registry entries that you previewed and they're all exactly the same. But I'm still having the same issue (even in safe mode) Please advise on any further issues i should look into. Thank you. Girish
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April 22nd, 2011 9:56pm

hye! thank you! my problem is fixed! i did sent my laptop to computer's shop,but he ask me to format. thanks tou you. i dont have to format my laptop anyways. :)
April 28th, 2011 10:36am

Thanks a Ton Aaditya... it works for me 2...
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May 25th, 2011 5:24am

Aaditya Singhal, I had the same problem with the win/7 explorer after installing the SP1 update. I tried various posts, but didn't solve the problem. I followed yr registry instructions and the problem was solved. Thanks for the clear info. YannisG
June 14th, 2011 10:48am

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