Solved Xml file edit context menu error

[zdzdz]

Hello,
My PC has Windows 7 Ultimate x64

Here is my problem:

I want to edit an xml file by right clicking on it and choosing "Edit" from the context menu.

What I expect is Notepad to open the xml file. But in fact there is an error:

This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Please install a program or, if one is already installed, create an association in the Default Programs control panel.

The Default Program chosen to open and edit xml files is MS XML Editor. As I want it to be.

Here is my registry:

HKCR\.xml

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.xml]
@="xmlfile"
"Content Type"="text/xml"
"PerceivedType"="text"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.xml\OpenWithList]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.xml\OpenWithList\vsta.exe]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.xml\OpenWithList\winword.exe]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.xml\OpenWithProgids]
"InfoPath.Document.3"=""
"VSTA.xml.8.0"=""
"XamarinStudio.5.1.4.0"=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.xml\PersistentHandler]
@="{7E9D8D44-6926-426F-AA2B-217A819A5CCE}"

HKCR\xmlfile

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile]
@="XML Document"
"EditFlags"=hex:00,00,01,00
"FriendlyTypeName"=hex(2):40,00,25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,\
  00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,00,5c,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,\
  32,00,5c,00,6d,00,73,00,78,00,6d,00,6c,00,33,00,72,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,\
  00,2c,00,2d,00,31,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\BrowseInPlace]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\CLSID]
@="{48123BC4-99D9-11D1-A6B3-00C04FD91555}"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\DefaultIcon]
@=hex(2):25,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,52,00,6f,00,6f,00,74,00,25,\
  00,5c,00,53,00,79,00,73,00,74,00,65,00,6d,00,33,00,32,00,5c,00,6d,00,73,00,\
  78,00,6d,00,6c,00,33,00,2e,00,64,00,6c,00,6c,00,2c,00,30,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\shell]
@="open"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\shell\edit]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\shell\edit\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\Microsoft Shared\\OFFICE14\\MSOXMLED.EXE\" /verb edit \"%1\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\shell\Open]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\shell\Open\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\Microsoft Shared\\OFFICE14\\MSOXMLED.EXE\" /verb open \"%1\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\shell\Open\ddeexec]
@="\"file:%1\",,-1,,,,,"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\shell\Open\ddeexec\application]
@="IExplore"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\shell\Open\ddeexec\topic]
@="WWW_OpenURL"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\ShellEx]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\ShellEx\IconHandler]
@="{AB968F1E-E20B-403A-9EB8-72EB0EB6797E}"

Open and Edit menues are as I want them:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\shell\edit\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\Microsoft Shared\\OFFICE14\\MSOXMLED.EXE\" /verb edit \"%1\""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\shell\Open\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Common Files\\Microsoft Shared\\OFFICE14\\MSOXMLED.EXE\" /verb open \"%1\""

I want MSOXMLED.exe to check the xml file for specific headers and if any to open them with the specified program. And likewise if there are no headers to use the default programs.

It looks like if there are no headers (<?mso-application progid="something"?>) MSOXMLED.exe chooses the default program from XEV.GenericApp:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\XEV.GenericApp]
"EditFlags"=hex:01,00,00,00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\XEV.GenericApp\DefaultIcon]
@="C:\\Windows\\SysWow64\\msxml3.dll,0"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\XEV.GenericApp\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\XEV.GenericApp\shell\open]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\XEV.GenericApp\shell\open\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Internet Explorer\\IEXPLORE.EXE\" -nohome"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\XEV.GenericApp\shell\open\ddeexec]
@="\"file:%1\",,-1,,,,,"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\XEV.GenericApp\shell\open\ddeexec\application]
@="IExplore"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\XEV.GenericApp\shell\open\ddeexec\topic]
@="WWW_OpenURL"

This works when I choose Open from the context menu.
MSOXMLED.exe /verb open leads to XEV.GenericApp's Open command and the xml file is being opened with IE as specified.

But when I choose Edit from the context menu, there is an error for file association.

I have another PC with Win7 Ultimate x64. When click Edit from the context menu the xml file is opened with Notepad as I wish. No errors. I checked these registry keys there and the were the same as mine.

I found a workaround. If I create a key named Edit with command ["C:\Windows\Notepad.exe" "%1"] under XEV.GenericApp, then everything works as I want it. Because the command under xmlfile\shell\edit is:
...MSOXMLED.exe /verb edit

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\XEV.GenericApp\shell\edit]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\XEV.GenericApp\shell\edit\command]
@="\"C:\\Windows\\NOTEPAD.EXE\" \"%1\""

But the problem is I don't want such a workaround.
I want to know why it's not working on my PC but on another it is finctioning just fine.

Perhaps there are other registry keys for default opening of xml files? Can somebody help me?

 

[A Guy]

Welcome to Seven Forums zdzdz. I would try the xml reg file in this tutorial

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19449-default-file-type-associations-restore.html

See if that helps. A Guy

 

[zdzdz]

I tried that. It doesn't help. These default keys are basicaly the same as mine.

Edit options results in error only when MS XML Editor is chosen as default opening program for xml files. When I choose other default program like IE, Notepad, Wordpad, etc. then EDIT menu opens notepad. Strange.

 

[zdzdz]

Miraculously everything turned out well. I don't know how but suddenly the Edit option in the context menu works like charm. The default program is MS XML Editor. XML opens with IE and it's edited with Notepad.

I don't know how this happened. I just started to choose different default programs one by one. And suddenly Edit works. Windows registry is big mystery for me.

 

[A Guy]

Lol, sometimes you just have to kick it Glad you got it working

A Guy

 

[nixxon108]

I noticed similar issue recently and cured it with a repair install of Microsoft Office 2007 Pro.

Repair found corrupt registry entries.

XML files now go to Notepad when EDIT button is Right-Clicked.

 

[Pixel Eater]

In case anyone runs into this again, if I'm not mistaken you have to fix HKCR\SystemFileAssociations\document\shell\edit\command, not HKCR\xmlfile. That is because by default xml files are considered "text". I learned that much while attempting and failing to assign a special Edit with Notepad++ context item. By default Notepad++'s context item is assigned to HKCR\*, but I'm assigning it to file associations of my choosing and xml is the only one I'm not having any luck with. I know for sure you can fix the problem this thread was about though.