IE9 No Longer able to Open .XML

OK, I'm not giving up. Open regedit and navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.xml\OpenWithList . See what the value is. If it is blank, or associated to office, you could try changing the value to iexplorer.exe . At this point I'm going to suggest you back up the registry 1st.

Registry - Backup and Restore

Edit:

You know, I don't see any mention of you trying to use the Open With context menu? Have you tried right clicking a .xml file, choosing Open With, and choosing IE from the list? Or if it isn't on the list, browse to it, then set it to always open with IE?

Open With - Change Default Program

A Guy

OK, that does appear to be correct. It's appearing the issue may be with IE. Two things to try. 1st, let's see if .xml is on the list of files that can be associated to IE (this is different from our attempt to associate .xml with a program above).

Start> In search box type Default Programs> Enter> Click on Set your default programs> Click on Internet Explorer> Click on Choose defaults for this program

See if .xml is on the list and checked. If it is listed, but unchecked, see what is currently listed as the default program, then check it, and click Save in lower right.

If it is checked already, it may be worthwhile to uncheck it and save. Try to open a .xml file, and see what opens it. Then go back and check it and save, see what changes. For me, .xml is listed with Opera (my default browser), but is unchecked and shows currently associated to XML Editor, as I mentioned.

If you have another browser, it may be worthwhile to make it your default, and see if .xml opens with it, and is now showing on that browsers list. You can then make IE default again, and see if the association returns and/or is fixed now.

If none of this changes anything, lets look at the addons in IE.

Open IE> Click on the gear icon upper right (tools)> Click Manage Addons> Under Show:, click All add-ons> Scroll down to the Microsoft Corporation section and see if the XML DOM Documents listings are enabled



Let's see what results you get from these suggestions. A Guy

front360 said:

Okay A Guy, this is strange. When I go here->Set your default programs> Click on Internet Explorer> Click on Choose defaults for this program, ".xml" is not even listed here...

And all 4 XML things are enabled in IE9 Add-Ons.

Yes, it isn't listed on my IE either, but is on Opera, my default browser. Suggest you make FF the default, see if .xml is available to associate. If so, make the association. Then make IE the default again, and see if you get the ability to associate it again. I'm wondering what will open .xml if IE isn't the default. I'm not sure if you can add a file type to the programs that can be associated to IE, but thats where I'd go next if you have no luck. A Guy

P.S. My FF does not list .xml either, but Opera does, even though .xml is associated with XML Editor. I'm wondering if your Office install will give you a repair choice, or if reinstalling Office will reassociate the XML Editor?

I tried everything I asked you to do, but Opera is only browser with ability to associate .xml files. Very odd. Have a look at this program (45 days free evaluation). Worth a download and then try to use the:

File Type Doctor - Right-click any file and select Edit File Type to modify the applications used to open files of that type. Use File Type Doctor to choose default programs, add or remove file types from Explorer's New menu, and customize files' context menus.

Creative Element Power Tools

A Guy

Tired of me yet I find mention of deleteing the sub key in registry and windows will automatically recreate the correct association. Worth a try (back up registry per instructions provided in an earlier post).

Find the .xml file extension in

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts

key in the registry. Deleting the sub-key with the same name as the extension you want to un-associate will delete the default program association. You'll have to kill and restart explorer.exe for this to take effect. (a reboot will be better)

A Guy

1 step forward, 1 step back I'm busy during the week, so if you want to wait until the weekend, I'll do some more scratching. At the end of all this, if we don't fix it is a Repair Install, which should almost assuredly fix it.

Repair Install

Since you've tried so much since you last tried the System File Checker, let me suggest you run it again, and see if any help.

SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

A Guy