Windows 7: "Documents" wont let me open file

In Windows 7 if I open "documents" I can see my files but if I double click on one I get a dialogue box inviting me to "save" it. I dont want to save it - it is already there! How do I open it?
Same problem if I try to find all files of a similar name in the "start search" box of the start menu. - I can see them but it wont let me open them.



Sorry if this is a forum regular question - I couldn't find it under a number of different searches.

Do you have permission to open the file?

Sharing and Permissions

It sounds to me like the documents are set to be opened with Internet Explorer.

Have you also tried using the File Associations control panel? Click the Start Button, then click "Default Programs"

To Richc46
Thanks for the reply - Yes I do have full permissions and the file does not have "hidden" or "read only" attributes

Fortunately, Dzomlija has posted, too. Give that a try.

Hi Dzomlija
Thanks for your reply - Any idea on how I can check your suggestion that the files might be set to open with Internet Explorer?
The files I am interested in are all text or spreadsheet and I have set OpenOffice as the default program for anything it can open.

Hi All,
I seem to have answered my own question.
When I click on "documents" or "my documents" I am only offered "organise, views or burn" but when I click on a single file it also opens the "open" option. I double clicked on the file name and that is why it jumped straight to the "save" dialogue box.
Sorry to waste your time but your answers have given me a bit of help in understanding the problem.