Need help stuffs happing.

[El Bastardo]

Ok chaps i really need help.

I was on W7 earlier(i am on xp at the moment) today and i opened a file using word pad after which i read it then closed it.Now every programme i try and run doesn't start it just opens in Word pad.!I mean every programme including games.

I haven't created any previous system restore points so i can`t go back.

How the hell do i stop everything opening in word pad.?..The only way i can think off is to reinstall W7 which i REALLY don`t want to do.

Any ideas.?

[ARandomOWL]

I think you've been downloading too many naughty files

[El Bastardo]

I think you've been downloading too many naughty files

Rubbish,their`s no such thing as too many.!

Now then owl you three speed gearbox where you been hiding.?

Anybody got any ideas how i can restore the files.?..i really don`t want to have to reinstall W7 and all of those programs again.

[Sam__]

sounds like the file association has just been set for everything to open with word pad. You need to go through and force open things with their proper programs and make sure the program knows to run those file types.

[ScunnyUK]

I agree with Sam and Adrian,

You can reset the file type's associations fairly easily and straight forward through control panel but Id be more concerned of what / how they all got messed up in the first place?


Go to Start Menu - Control Panel - Programs - " Make a file type always open in a specific program" to change the associations, but as for games and other programs, well they are programs rather than just files so try going to the actual game .exe to start it rather than a shortcut on the desktop.

EDIT

also if you set a file to open with Unknown and / or right click on the file it will have the choice of "Open With" where you can then choose the program to open it and tick a box so that paticular program always opens that file type

[El Bastardo]

Thanks the replies..

Well for once it didn`t have anything to do with porn but what i was doing was editing a file in a racing game (GPL) so i could change how many laps i drive and the AI level which i had to open with Word pad.

Why has it changed it so everything opens with WP.. i don`t know.

I was hoping for a quick fix but it looks like i will have to reinstall it all.

[ScunnyUK]

Well I would guess that a virus has coursed the problem ( and not necessarily from some dogey pr0n site ) so perhaps a clean reinstall will be best, but have you tried what I mentioned above with the control panel?
Would it not let you change the associations back to their original programs??

[maverik-sg1]

I had this on a friends PC, they had something effect the machine from frostwire, and all the associations and icons for microsfit apps systematically related to another program, I think it was a virus of some sort - but a complete format and re-install sorted it out, because the win7 program was fully licensed we then stopped using the Norton security and switched to microsofts free security essentials program - which is very very good, lightweight and effective.... when you consider that security suites vary in price and effectiveness this alone makes win7 very good value over 3yrs or more.

[El Bastardo]

Evening Gaz..

Well i did fiddle about a bit but i thought i would go the whole hog and do a fresh install and more importantly a system restore point in case it all goes pear shape in the future.