To check File Associations, go Start->Control Panel->(appearance and themes)->folder options, select the File Types tab of the window that pops up, then find the extension you're having a problem with. (Check for HTM, HTML, and Internet Shortcut.) For each one, select it, click Change, choose the desired program (Internet Explorer), check the box "always use the selected program to open this type of file," and OK.

Here is a link that might be useful: File Associations

I have had no trouble at all with IE8 on my XP machine. I rarely use it, however, since I prefer Opera, FF, or Chrome. I keep it, of course, for MS updates.

Thank you grandms.

zep516,

Unless I did something wrong on the instructions it didn't make any difference, I am still getting the This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the folder options control panel.

To check File Associations, go Start->Control Panel->(appearance and themes)->

I don't have appearance and themes in my control panel but, I do have Folder Options. When I put my mouse over that folder it says this: Customize the display of files and folders, change file associations, and make network files available offline.

The problem that the person posted on that site is not my problem. She says that she is having the problem when she trys to open a shortcut that she created.

When I create a shortcut, like to Ancestry.com, on my desktop it shows up fine but when I click on it I get a message that says: "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Folder Option Copntrol Panel." I have no idea what is happening here.

The shortcut that I have for my media player works just fine. It opens just like it should. My problem is that when I receive an attachment in Outlook Express it shows the media player in the attachment part and when I try to open the attachment I get this: when I clicked on the attachment all I got was this message. This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the folder options control panel.

It's the attachment that won't open the Media Player when I click on it. The Media Player otherwise is OK. That is what I don't understand. Why doesn't the attachment open up my Media Player when I click on it? The file is a .wmv file. I'm still confused. Sorry. Any other ideas?

My OS is Win XPSP3.

thirdfrt!!!

Thank you grandms.

zep516,

Unless I did something wrong on the instructions it didn't make any difference, I am still getting the This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the folder options control panel.

To check File Associations, go Start->Control Panel->(appearance and themes)->

I don't have appearance and themes in my control panel but, I do have Folder Options. When I put my mouse over that folder it says this: Customize the display of files and folders, change file associations, and make network files available offline.

The problem that the person posted on that site is not my problem. She says that she is having the problem when she trys to open a shortcut that she created.

When I create a shortcut, like to Ancestry.com, on my desktop it shows up fine but when I click on it I get a message that says: "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Folder Option Copntrol Panel." I have no idea what is happening here.

The shortcut that I have for my media player works just fine. It opens just like it should. My problem is that when I receive an attachment in Outlook Express it shows the media player in the attachment part and when I try to open the attachment I get this: when I clicked on the attachment all I got was this message. This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the folder options control panel.

It's the attachment that won't open the Media Player when I click on it. The Media Player otherwise is OK. That is what I don't understand. Why doesn't the attachment open up my Media Player when I click on it? The file is a .wmv file. I'm still confused. Sorry. Any other ideas?

My OS is Win XPSP3.

thirdfrt!!!

Then maybe windows Media Player is not set to default, check it.

Click Start, Set Program Access and Defaults
Click "Custom"
Select "Windows Media Player"
Click OK.

This repairs the media file type associations, and sets WMP as the default.

Windows Media set as default player. See link.

Here is a link that might be useful: Windows Media set as default

Thank you Zep516,

That was the problem and when I set it as the default and went back to the attachment it opened up in Media Player like it use to. I really really appreciate your help.

I will also tell you this, while I was in there I noticed that itunes and Quick Time was also listed with Media Player. I am thinking that Quick Time took over. I remember doing an update on Quick Time and it was after that I noticed I couldn't open those type of attachments.

I had no idea that another program could mess up the default for the Media Player, I would have thought that the program that I updated would have given me a choice and I don't remember anything popping up telling me that, our I would have chose Media Player.

What is the Quick Time Program For anyway? I never use it. Just curious.

Thanks again for your help, I am going to write it down in my index Card View Binder so that I won't forget it if it happens again. Thanks a bunch.

thirdfrt!!!

yes many programs are kind of sneaky that way and quicktime will definitely take over if you are not really careful when you do the install of it to tell it not to take over, it usually does ask in one step of it if you want it to take over certain types of files etc, it is used to open quick time files but can open other file types, personally I get rid of it and instead get VLC player which will open darn near every type and is a really nice free player.
VLC media player

I don't have itunes or quick time on my windows boxes any more. the main player I use for all is VLC and since I use firefox I have the plugin for VLC.

Hi ravencajun,

I checked out the website on VLC Media Player. How did you hear about VLC and how long have you been using it?

You said you don't have itunes or quick time anymore; does VLC match itunes and quick time? OK let me ask this another way just in case. I have itunes, quick time and media player. If I remove itunes and quick time what happens to media player if I use VLC? I hope these questions make sense.

thirdfrt!!!

nothing will happen to Media player it comes with windows, it stays there and if you choose to leave it as default it will be default.

I have been using vlc for years, it first was for use only with linux but has been available for windows now for a while so I use it on my windows machines also. It covers pretty much all the bases as to which files it plays.
I personally have never used itunes on any computers so will not comment on that in particular, but I do not think it plays quicktime, but VLC plays everything I have asked it to play (for my needs). And of course it also does video play back. here is the list of the audio options
VLC playback Features
and if you are into how things look you can get many skins for the player so it can have a lot of different looks, I don't care much about that.

You can set it as default and let it handle everything or you can still use your media player if you like.

for specific quicktime needs and realplayer needs there are also these good options
QuickTime Alternative
Real Alternative

another player I am using on my linux which is also now available for windows is KMPlayer and as you read the description it does do Quicktime and Real, I like it also and is an excellent option.
The KMPlayer 2.9.4.1435
KMPlayer

of course you can always try these out and if you don't like them just remove them. And always look to see if anything is wanting to install any extra toolbars like the ASK toolbar and uncheck that junk.

Hi ravencajun,

Thanks for the information, I put this in my favorites so that I can go back and research those later.

I hope you don't mind but I do have another question about those type of programs. I have never used Quick Time or itunes, they were on my computer when I had it built. My question is what are the purpose of these programs and what are they used for? Please give me an example.

I was use to Media Player because of my music and I learned how to put some music into the Media Player. I know there are programs out there that you can use for music n't open media player why?" size=40>

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