"Open With..." options

[zeroARMY]

When I go to "Open With..." on a file that does not have a program to open with, in the list there a weird program that I never downloaded. Probably is spyware. Anyway, when I looked for it in the applications in Registry Editor, I couldn't find it to put a string that says "No Open with". How can I remove it?

Also, I set a certain file type to open with a program that I didn't want it to open with, how do I remove it's current opening type to nothing?

[Dirk_Diggler]

Check this area of your Registry for the proggy:-
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shellex\ContextMenuHandl ers
If its a sub-Key of ContextMenuHandlers just delete the Key and only the Key of the offending proggy.

Not quite the newbie I used to be, but still prone to the odd mistake :D

[zeroARMY]

I don't have a shellex list or a ContextMenuHandlers list un unknown. I have XP BTW.

[Nana]

ZeroARMY,

This topic has been discussed many times at WinGuides. Have a look through these Show Programs in the Open With Selection Box (All Windows) (http://www.winguides.com/forums/dosearch.php?Forum=All_Forums&Match=or&Limit=25&Old=1year&Words=%5C%22Open+with%5C%22>posts</a>)[/b] which maybe of use to you.
Here is how it's described:
<font color=blue>"This setting allows you to decide which programs are listed in "Open With" dialog box which is shown when an unknown file type is opened."</font color=blue>

If you aren't able to find anything helpful, please post back.
Good luck,
Nana /images/forums/icons/smile.gif

[zeroARMY]

^I did what you discribed above, but the program or application I wish to remove is not under "Applications". It's is called "ReleaseNow.com Sale Agent Module" if that helps

[Nana]

ZeroARMY,

I doubt that ReleaseNow.com is spyware. Here is a description of it's business by <a target="_blank" href=http://techlibrary.wallstreetandtech.com/data/detail?id=973118952_622&type=RES&x=258621913>Wall Street & Technology Online.</a> It was formerly known as Release Software.

<font color=blue>"ReleaseNow.com has become the leading provider of outsourced e-commerce services that enable software publishers and resellers to market, sell, and deliver digital goods over the Internet. Responsys Interact works alongside ReleaseNow.com's PowerCommerce system -- the foundation of ReleaseNow.com's e-commerce services -- as the company's own branded service, e-Campaign. The process of running marketing campaigns is managed entirely by ReleaseNow.com's e-marketing services group."</font color=blue>

Have you reviewed these <a target="_blank" href=http://www.winguides.com/forums/dosearch.php?Forum=All_Forums&Match=or&Limit=25&Old=1year&Words=%5C%22Open+with%5C%22>posts</a> for a way to get rid of ReleaseNow.com in your Open With applet and to change the file assosciation? It contains several posts dealing with these problems.

Good luck,
Nana /images/forums/icons/smile.gif

[Nana]

ZeroARMY,

Here's an example of the posts I'm suggesting that you search for answers.

This is one of your questions:
"Also, I set a certain file type to open with a program that I didn't want it to open with, how do I remove it's current opening type to nothing?

And, here's an answer courtesy of <a target="_blank" href=http://www.winguides.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=genwinxp&Number=65963&page=&view=&sb=&vc=1>BertIImmenschuh:</a>
<font color=blue>"Click once on the file name, hold down the Shift key and Right-click the file name and choose "Open With" on the menu. Click on the "Choose Program" entry at the bottom of the sub-menu. Click once on the program you want to open it with and make sure the check mark is in "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file". That should reset the association."</font color=blue>

Nana /images/forums/icons/smile.gif

[zeroARMY]

I looked through all the posts you suggested but the issue I have is not solved in them. I don't remember ever installing it and it does not seem to be fully uninstalled. The icon next to it is one Windows displays when it does not have it's own.
Is it still possible to remove?

[Nana]

ZeroARMY,

I've run out of ideas. I don't know what else to suggest, maybe someone else does.

Sorry,
Nana /images/forums/icons/smile.gif

[zeroARMY]

This is what it looks like:
http://www.0mnus.com/~chaostheory/file.gif

[Nana]

Have you gone to Control Panel, Folder Options, File Types and tried deleting that entry there?

Nana /images/forums/icons/smile.gif

[zeroARMY]

Yup I already tried that.

[Nana]

ZeroARMY,

Have a look at <a target="_blank" href=http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/shellcc/platform/shell/programmersguide/shell_basics/shell_basics_extending/fileassociations/fileassoc.asp>Creating a File Association </a> from the MSDN Library. There are 9 sub-headings under that. It's a good article both for "Open With" & "File Associations".
Maybe this excerpt will help. It's a quote from "Creating a File Association".

<font color=blue>"Excluding an Application from the Open With Dialog Box:
The applications that are listed in the Open With dialog box are registered as subkeys of HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications . However, many applications should not be used to open files that are not members of their associated file class. To exclude an application from the Open With dialog box, add a NoOpenWith REG_SZ value name to the application's subkey. For example, the following sample registry entry excludes MyProgram.exe from the Open With dialog box.

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
Applications
MyProgram.exe
NoOpenWith=

It is also possible to exclude an application from the Open With dialog box by appending the application's file name to the Windows Explorer kill list. This option is not recommended and is discussed here only for completeness. The kill list is a REG_SZ value of the following key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Software
Microsoft
Windows
CurrentVersion
Explorer
FileAssociation

The kill list is a string consisting of the file names of the applications, separated by semicolons (;)."</font color=blue>

Nana /images/forums/icons/smile.gif

[Mosaic1]

Open the registry and go to Edit&gt;Find

Do a search for the program. If it is appearing the the Open With Box, it usually has been assigned to open a particular file type. Let us know what you find.