Advanced: need help setting up some unusual file associations.

I have a bunch of text files I would like to be able to open in Notepad or
Wordpad with a simple double click, or at least be able to right click and
choose from a reasonably short list of possible programs via "Open With".

The difficult part being: one set of these files has no extensions at all,
and the other set has a "serial number" type file extension, which is
different for every file. So, setting the association per extension via
traditional methods does not work.

I would appreciate insight on any available means of circumventing this
issue, although I would prefer not having to purchase any software. (If a
"file viewer" app is deemed the best solution, I'll probably just wind up
making my own.) "Complex" solutions -- i.e. involving programming,
scripting, registry modification, etc. -- are definitely acceptable,
considering that, at this point, my ultimate fall-back solution is the
aformentioned custom-developed viewer applet. Hold nothing back!

Thank you!

TRS

On Mar 20, 4:21 pm, "trs51x" wrote:
I have a bunch of text files I would like to be able to open in Notepad or
Wordpad with a simple double click, or at least be able to right click and
choose from a reasonably short list of possible programs via "Open With".

The difficult part being: one set of these files has no extensions at all,
and the other set has a "serial number" type file extension, which is
different for every file. So, setting the association per extension via
traditional methods does not work.

I would appreciate insight on any available means of circumventing this
issue, although I would prefer not having to purchase any software. (If a
"file viewer" app is deemed the best solution, I'll probably just wind up
making my own.) "Complex" solutions -- i.e. involving programming,
scripting, registry modification, etc. -- are definitely acceptable,
considering that, at this point, my ultimate fall-back solution is the
aformentioned custom-developed viewer applet. Hold nothing back!

Thank you!

TRS


Hello,

If you want the option to open any file in Notepad, try this:

Open Explorer in your profile to show the 'Send To' folder.
Next, locate the file notepad.exe in your Windows directory.
Grab notepad.exe with your right mouse button and drag it to your
'Send To' folder, release the mouse button, and select 'Create
shortcuts here'.
In the 'Send To' folder, rename the shortcut to 'Open with Notepad'.

Now, right-click on one of your files = Send To = Open with Notepad.

You could do the same process with Wordpad

Adds Open With Notepad to the right click/context menu
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Read the instructions at the top.
25. Right hand side
Open With Notepad for Files with No Extension

openwithnotepad.reg is the file that you want.

Associates files with no extension to Notepad.exe.

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\open]
@="Open With Notepad"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\*\shell\open\command]
@="notepad.exe %1"

INFO Shell Extensions for File Names with No File Extension
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/236014

--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In ,
trs51x hunted and pecked:
I have a bunch of text files I would like to be able to open in Notepad or
Wordpad with a simple double click, or at least be able to right click and
choose from a reasonably short list of possible programs via "Open With".

The difficult part being: one set of these files has no extensions at
all, and the other set has a "serial number" type file extension, which is
different for every file. So, setting the association per extension via
traditional methods does not work.

I would appreciate insight on any available means of circumventing this
issue, although I would prefer not having to purchase any software. (If a
"file viewer" app is deemed the best solution, I'll probably just wind up
making my own.) "Complex" solutions -- i.e. involving programming,
scripting, registry modification, etc. -- are definitely acceptable,
considering that, at this point, my ultimate fall-back solution is the
aformentioned custom-developed viewer applet. Hold nothing back!

Thank you!

TRS

Great advice. This is what I've done for several years. I'm still amazed
that this simple trick has not cached on. Then again, the "Open With" was
created for this purpose too.


"Claymore" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 20, 4:21 pm, "trs51x" wrote:
I have a bunch of text files I would like to be able to open in Notepad
or
Wordpad with a simple double click, or at least be able to right click
and
choose from a reasonably short list of possible programs via "Open With".

The difficult part being: one set of these files has no extensions at
all,
and the other set has a "serial number" type file extension, which is
different for every file. So, setting the association per extension via
traditional methods does not work.

I would appreciate insight on any available means of circumventing this
issue, although I would prefer not having to purchase any software. (If
a
"file viewer" app is deemed the best solution, I'll probably just wind up
making my own.) "Complex" solutions -- i.e. involving programming,
scripting, registry modification, etc. -- are definitely acceptable,
considering that, at this point, my ultimate fall-back solution is the
aformentioned custom-developed viewer applet. Hold nothing back!

Thank you!

TRS


Hello,

If you want the option to open any file in Notepad, try this:

Open Explorer in your profile to show the 'Send To' folder.
Next, locate the file notepad.exe in your Windows directory.
Grab notepad.exe with your right mouse button and drag it to your
'Send To' folder, release the mouse button, and select 'Create
shortcuts here'.
In the 'Send To' folder, rename the shortcut to 'Open with Notepad'.

Now, right-click on one of your files = Send To = Open with Notepad.

You could do the same process with Wordpad

That is a hot tip! (And not so "advanced" as I feared!)

Thank you very much!

-TRS


"Claymore" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 20, 4:21 pm, "trs51x" wrote:
I have a bunch of text files I would like to be able to open in Notepad
or
Wordpad with a simple double click, or at least be able to right click
and
choose from a reasonably short list of possible programs via "Open With".

The difficult part being: one set of these files has no extensions at
all,
and the other set has a "serial number" type file extension, which is
different for every file. So, setting the association per extension via
traditional methods does not work.

I would appreciate insight on any available means of circumventing this
issue, although I would prefer not having to purchase any software. (If
a
"file viewer" app is deemed the best solution, I'll probably just wind up
making my own.) "Complex" solutions -- i.e. involving programming,
scripting, registry modification, etc. -- are definitely acceptable,
considering that, at this point, my ultimate fall-back solution is the
aformentioned custom-developed viewer applet. Hold nothing back!

Thank you!

TRS


Hello,

If you want the option to open any file in Notepad, try this:

Open Explorer in your profile to show the 'Send To' folder.
Next, locate the file notepad.exe in your Windows directory.
Grab notepad.exe with your right mouse button and drag it to your
'Send To' folder, release the mouse button, and select 'Create
shortcuts here'.
In the 'Send To' folder, rename the shortcut to 'Open with Notepad'.

Now, right-click on one of your files = Send To = Open with Notepad.

You could do the same process with Wordpad