Why can't I specify the executable that opens file with extension on windows?

Posted by Glen S. Dalton on Super User See other posts from Super User or by Glen S. Dalton
Published on 2010-05-13T13:33:42Z Indexed on 2010/05/13 13:44 UTC
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Windows

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system-defaults

I am on windows server 2003, but I guess it is the same on windows xp.

This is a superuser question, because it is definitly desktop, so do not move or close it.

Question:

I copied some movable applications (usually people create them for usb sticks) to locations like c:\bin\app1\app1.exe

app1.exe can open files of type *.ap1

When I rightclick file.ap1 and choose "open with ..." the "Open with" dialog appears. But it is not working how I expect in this situation. I can choose c:\bin\app1\app1.exe with the "Browse" button, but:

app1.exe will not appear in the dialog where I just choosed it in the programs list, like I am used to it after clicking OK on it in the browse dialog.
app1.exe will not open it when I click ok in the "Open with" dialog, the application that was assigned until then will still open it

open with

What could be the reason?

Edit: Additional Information:

my account is member of the administrators group
I just changed the permissions of the folder c:\bin\app1\ and made sure that the group "Administrators" has all rights. I also inherited this manually to all subfodlers and subfiles.

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