Windows 7: Need to fix "Open With" menu for Image files

Windows 7 32bit OS
Intel Quad CPU
4GB DDR2 Ram

I did a clean install of Windows 7 a couple weeks ago.

I have 1,000's of jpg file I want to edit using Microsoft Digital Image Suite. When I right-click the file and choose "Open With" the only option listed is "Open With" again, which does nothing.



Before the clean install the "Open With" menu for image files had all my graphics programs listed. How do I get them back?

I have already tried using the Restore Default Windows 7 File Extension Type Associations reg file for jpg's I found in the forums here, but it did not solve it.

Try uninstalling then reinstalling Microsoft Digital Image Suite, see if that gives you the correct Open With option.

Hello johnnieq, welcome to Seven Forums.

Start> Type in the search box> Associations > Click on Make a file type always open in a specific program


Click on the file type you want to associate> Click on Change Program in upper right> Click on a choice amongst the programs listed, or click on browse, and browse to the program you want to use> OK your way out.

Repeat for any other file types.

A Guy

Actually, reread your post, you want to restore choices to open with, not have 1 program always open a file type. Do you not get the choice on open with to Choose default program?

I had thought of trying that, but thought I could easily find a way to fix it; turns out it isn't very easy. So after two wasted days of trying numerous fixes I uninstalled & reinstalled Microsoft Digital Image Suite and all the choices for "Open With" are back! Thanks for the suggestion!

I know what I am trying to fix. I searched for answers in the forums prior to posting and someone with a similar problem was advised to try a reg file fix to restore system defaults, so I mentioned that I had tried that so it was not offered again as a solution. Thanks for your suggestions! Things are working good and I'm happy. LOL

Wow!

That fix lasted all of 5 minutes. I checked a few image context menus before my last post and all was well. I just now clicked on an bmp file and it opened in PS4. I closed PS4 and right-clicked the image to open it in a different app. All gone. Again. Back to no "Open With" Options.

This is frustrating.

I think I see another Windows 7 clean install in my near future...

First I'll try uninstalling PhotoShop 4 as I might be upgrading to 5 soon anyway. Perhaps PhotoShop is trying to restore it's file associations?

I hope so! I didn't when I read your post and posted. After I did, I realized it was all your open with choices you wanted to restore, not just the association with Microsoft Digital Image Suite. Although you did seem happy when you momentarily got only that back.

I'd try a repair install before you resort to a clean install.

Repair Install

Good luck. A Guy

I didn't get back just the association with Microsoft Digital Image Suite, the entire "open with" menu option was back with all the appropriate image apps listed. Minutes later it was gone. It isn't a virus causing it, as I check regularly for infections.

As soon as I get some spare time I'll try the repair install and post my results. Thanks agasin!

It could be an ANTIvirus causing it.

Are you using any AV software? Some of them like to try to clean up your OS for you when it thinks something was changed

There have been some mighty odd things caused by AV software in these forums. Mostly software that was not specifically Windows 7 compatible...

For AV I use Windows Securtity Essentials and Malwarebytes Anti-Malware, both of which seem to be doing an excellent job in preventing vuruses.

I just finished a Repair Install, and nothing has changed in the right-click menu for image files.

I work on ncomputers. A LOT. I build them, repair, troubleshoot, etc. I do it almost every day, all day, and most evenings. I don't understand this one. I've searched the registry manually, tried ShellExView and ShellMenuView, everything looks ok. I've Googled, searched many of the tech forums, including Microsoft's Support site with no answers that worked. Very unusual, this one's got me beat...

Backup.

Format.

Install.