Solved Set file association for a file (dds) to Shell Common that execs it!

[SourceAttack]

I accidentally set the default file format for a dds (DirectDraw Surface) to Windows shell common. It tries to execute it but obviously fails giving this error:

(name of file).dds is not a valid Win32 application.

I've tried everything. Modified registry keys, use slightly different solutions, but I just can't get it working. Does anyone have a fix for this?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello and welcome SA mate did you by any chance back up the registry before now? I always do after an install so at times like this one can just restore the darn thing to the Windows default.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/4230-registry-backup-restore.html

If you let me know what registry entries you are looking at I can possibly see what mine are and let you know what the default entry is so you can start rom scratch again.

 

[SourceAttack]

I actually didn't back it up (oops!) because I changed default program to shell32.dll and cannot undo it. There must be some sort of registry that restricts it. Sorry!

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Oh dear have you done any imaging or backing up of your data because it is looking like a repair install. Take a look at this and let us know what you want to do. This is the only way that I can think of that will get the registry back in its' original form.
Now if you decide to do the repair - don't forget to back up that registry as per my previous posted link. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

 

[SourceAttack]

I deleted the key (HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.dds) but shell32 still dominates. Is there another registry that signifies a file association?

 

[SourceAttack]

BTW, I have 2 users, the 2nd one i dont use isn't affected by this.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hum interesting as far as I am aware the registry is the same for one user as another??
I might ask for some help on this on mate as this new situation has got me wondering what the heck is going on to be honest.

 

[NoelDP]

You need to look in HKCU (HKEY_CURRENT_USER)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.dds

 

[ICIT2LOL]

SA can I ask just did you install the Ultimate on this machine or upgrade to it because it is very unusual for a laptop to come with Ultimate installed on it unless of course you requested it from the store.

Now if you upgraded then I personally am not a fan of upgrades and myself would just buy an OEM copy and install it myself because that also gets rid of all the bloatware that comes with the different brands.

 

[NoelDP]

You can do an anytime Upgrade from anything from Home Basic through to professional and end up with Ultimate without any hassle at all (and no worries about compatibility, either - all the bits necessary are already on the machine, apart from the required Key )

 

[SourceAttack]

I did upgrade (from Home Premium) to Ultimate, but what does that have to do with anything?

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Noel was only stating that mate because he is our very own wizard with activations and stuff relating to that and I don't think he meant anything by it.
But it remains that a clean install is not working then with that reg entry

 

[SourceAttack]

By the way, A HAH! I have fixed the problem! I had paint.net, a program that could execute dds files successfully, and did the following steps:

1. Open start menu.
2. Click "Default Programs"
3. Click "Set your default programs"
4. Select paint.net
5. Click "Set this program as default"
Done!