Default Programs/Associate a file type or protocol with a program BUG

[GrahamS1]

Trying to change some file associations, so following the standard procedure:

Default Programs
Associate a file type or protocol with a program

When it tries to load the file extension list ('Loading....'), I get the messages:

Windows explorer has stopped working
Windows is checking for a solution to the problem
Windows Explorer is restarting

Then the control panel window closes.

1. This has never worked on my PC (Dell OptiPlex 780, 7 pro 32 bit)
2. I have Googled this problem many times and found many people have had it since about 2009.
3. I have never found a thread anywhere that solves it.

Many threads suggest causes like games programs, recent changes, viruses, Windows repair, AV and firewalls etc.
None of these apply to me, and none of these discussions have ever arrived at a solution anyway - well except one that suggested removing SOA800.DLL from MS Office. My MS Office didn't have SOA800.DLL, but did have SOA.DLL which I removed and rebooted. It didn't change anything!

HAS THIS EVER BEEN FIXED?

 

[Britton30]

Welcome to Seven Forums GrahamS1.

I apparently is some Dell issue, it works for my system.



You can try using this tutorial for the file association you want to change.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19449-default-file-type-associations-restore.html#post208633

I will also contact SandeepP who is a Dell person.

 

[gregrocker]

Is this Dell factory preinstalled Win7 which is the worst possible install one can have, larded with bloatware and useless duplicate utilities which interfere with better versions built into Win7?

That's why most tech enthusiasts will not run such an install but instead Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7. Everything is provided in the blue link tutorial. Read the Special Note to Dell Owners at the end.

At the minimum I'd Clean Up Factory Bloatware.

If this doesn't resolve performance problems, work through these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7.

 

[GrahamS1]

Thanks Britton. That restore app could be useful. However it doesn't allow for making an alternate program the default.

Good call Gregrocker on the bloatware. I managed to get the Win 7 install disc off Dell and clean installed it myself. The AutoPlay settings have not worked very satisfactorily either, which is when I first tried to change file associations. So I have turned off Autoplay. The main problem I had with Autoplay was getting the right program to open my Canon camera. Now I just start the camera program I want then plug in the camera.

 

[SandeepP]

Thanks Britton. That restore app could be useful. However it doesn't allow for making an alternate program the default.

Good call Gregrocker on the bloatware. I managed to get the Win 7 install disc off Dell and clean installed it myself. The AutoPlay settings have not worked very satisfactorily either, which is when I first tried to change file associations. So I have turned off Autoplay. The main problem I had with Autoplay was getting the right program to open my Canon camera. Now I just start the camera program I want then plug in the camera.

Hi GrahamS1,

Welcome to Seven forums.

I have not seen this issue consistently with any system model. Selecting an auto play options and choosing default for the file type is different.

Please let us know if the explorer hangs while changing the autoplay options or choosing default software for file extension.

Also, let us know if the issue occurs after clean reinstalling windows as well. Please try a clean boot on the system and try again:

Clean Boot

Keep us posted with the results so we can advise you further.

 

[GrahamS1]

Hi Sandeep, thanks for your reply.
The Default Programs
Associate a file type or protocol with a program
hanging when it tries to load the file extension list is very common and has been around since Vista, there is a lot of Google traffic on it, there has never been a successful fix, and all the threads going back years just dry up with the author just giving up on it as your computer will run without it, or by using the app that Btitton30 proposed.
The Autoplay issue although it is in the same Default Programs Control Panel Window, is obviously a separate problem as you point out, so I will address it in another thread.
I will try the clean boot process, although I don't hold out much hope for it as it is one of the standard suggestions that many have tried before.
I will let you know the results.
Cheers, Graham.

 

[gregrocker]

It's not really a common error when one has a Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7.

There is no comparison between having the best install of Win7 one can have, to having the worst possible install which is Factory Preinstalled Win7, larded with bloatware and useless duplicate utilities that interfere with better versions built into Win7.

 

[SandeepP]

Hi Sandeep, thanks for your reply.
The Default Programs
Associate a file type or protocol with a program
hanging when it tries to load the file extension list is very common and has been around since Vista, there is a lot of Google traffic on it, there has never been a successful fix, and all the threads going back years just dry up with the author just giving up on it as your computer will run without it, or by using the app that Btitton30 proposed.
The Autoplay issue although it is in the same Default Programs Control Panel Window, is obviously a separate problem as you point out, so I will address it in another thread.
I will try the clean boot process, although I don't hold out much hope for it as it is one of the standard suggestions that many have tried before.
I will let you know the results.
Cheers, Graham.

Hi Graham,

Thanks for providing us this information. Please perform the suggested steps and let us know how it goes.

And yes I agree with gregrocker as final resort would be to go ahead and clean install the windows to ensure there is no unwanted software and utilities on the system.

Keep us posted with the results so we can advise you further.