Resources

Download FileCure the File Extension Wizard

FileCure is an easy-to-download file extension fixer that solves the common problem of:

• “Windows cannot open this file”

Developed by ParetoLogic Software, this tool offers several important benefits and a fast, easy solution.

Scan, Fix, Open and Manage File Extensions Easily with FILECURE!

The Free FileCure Scanner

ParetoLogic offers a free FileCure scanner which is a scaled down version of the full product.

This tool scans your computer and identifies the types of files currently installed on it. It then lists any file problems that it finds as well as file types that are currently working as expected.

Click the file extensions that have been identified as having problems to find out more about the nature of the problem such as, “This file extension may not open correctly. An application currently associated with it is either missing or corrupt.”

Screenshots (Click to Enlarge)

The free scanner allows you to find out what file extension problems your computer currently has as well as the nature of each problem. You can use the free scan as a first step in solving and researching file type problems or upgrade to the full version to automatically fix the problems.

The free scanner also gives you access to an easy-to-download file association manager and file association monitor. You can use these tools to manage and monitor your computer file types without upgrading to the full version of FileCure.

The Full FileCure Version

Upgrading to the full version of FileCure delivers even more benefits. Not only will FileCure scan your system and identify file extension problems, it will fix them automatically. It will identify mysterious file types and then recommend the appropriate software for opening them. It will also show you where to get the necessary software.

With thousands of file extensions in existence, it’s impossible for a computer to be equipped to open every possible file type. It’s also a challenge to know what program is needed or where to find it. FileCure identifies the file and shows you what you need to do in order to open it. A huge database is maintained and updated regularly to ensure that you have access to information about the latest file types introduced.

Both the Free Scanner and the fully featured version of FileCure monitor your computer file associations, allowing you to easily undo any recent changes. When you install a new program, it’s not unusual for the new program to make itself the default program for certain file types. However, these changes may not be desirable. For example, if you prefer opening your music files in Windows Media Player and are annoyed that they now open in the newly installed program, simply go into the FileCure monitor and undo the file association change.

FileCure takes the guesswork out of opening files, fixes broken file associations, makes it easy to manage default programs, and monitors your computer for file association changes.

Download FileCure today and Open Files with Ease!

I cannot get any Power Point viewer show to show through my Outlook Express. I always have to save it through my documents in order to open it. Can you help me?

Set File Associations

There are things you can do to set file associations so that your email client can open the PowerPoint files you want, but in this case I might first suggest that you update your web browser and your email program.

Outlook Express vs. Windows Live Mail

Outlook Express is the mail client associated with Internet Explorer versions up until version 4 and was bundled with Microsoft XP. Since then, Microsoft released a new mail client called Windows Mail with Vista. Incorporating aspects of both, there is now Windows Live Mail, which is supported by both Windows XP with Service Pack 2 and Vista. You would also need to upgrade to Internet Explorer version 6 or later.

Update your Software Programs

Newer software programs are more likely to be compatible with other applications and programs. It’s a good idea to keep your software updated for optimal functioning. If you want to use newer versions, you can update your operating system with Service Packs here, get the latest version of Internet Explorer here, and download Windows Live Mail here.

Set File Associations in XP

That said - you might not want to change your programs, or you might still have file assignment issues with the latest programs. If you are running XP, here are the steps to change the file associations for PowerPoint Viewer (.PPV) and PowerPoint Presentation (.PPT) files

1. Click Start, then Run
2. In the Search box, type in CONTROL FOLDERS
3. From the screen that opens, choose the File Types tab
4. Scroll to the PPS Microsoft PowerPoint Slideshow entry
5. Choose Advanced, then New
6. In the Action text bar, type in Open
7. Now, in the Application Used to Perform Action bar, type
   • “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\PowerPoint Viewer\pptview.exe” “%1″ for PowerPoint Viewer 2003
   • “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\pptview.exe” “%1″ for PowerPoint Viewer 2007
8. Click to remove the check from the Use DDE box
9. Click OK, then OK again
10. Close the window

If you are also having problems with PowerPoint Presentation (.PPT) files, repeat the same steps for the PPT   (Microsoft PowerPoint Presentation) Entry.

Set File Associations in Vista

If you are running Vista, here are some steps to assign associations for PowerPoint Slideshow (.PPS)

1. Click the Start button
2. In the search box, type in regedit.exe and press Enter
3. Find the following entry HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PowerPointViewer.SlideShow.11\shell\Show
4. Right click Show, then choose Rename
5. Now type in Open so that Open replaces Show
6. If you have PowerPoint Viewer 2007, find the entry HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PowerPointViewer.SlideShow.12\shell\Show and repeat the same steps as above to change Show to Open
7. Close the Registry Editor window

For PowerPoint Presentation (.PPT) files

1. Follow the same steps as above and find the registry entry HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PowerPointViewer.Show.11\shell\Show
2. Change Show to Open using the same process, then close the window

I have an attachment sent to me. When I try to open the attachment, the pop up window asks me to create an association with the association control panel. The only option is to answer OK. I had no luck creating an association and sent the email back to my friend who had no problem opening it on her end. The attachment is a confirmation letter.

When you get this message when you try to open an attachment, it means that the computer thinks that you don’t have the program that is associated with it. For example, if someone sends you a PowerPoint file with the extension PPL, and you don’t have PowerPoint installed on your computer, you will get this message. It can also happen when you actually do have the program installed, but the computer isn’t associating that file with that program by default or simply isn’t recognizing that the program is present.

Convert to PDF

Fix, Open and Manage PDF File Extensions with FILECURE!

If you are sent a file and you don’t have the program on your computer, you will need to purchase and/or download that program in order to be able to open the attachment. If you don’t want to purchase a particular program just to view a file, you can often turn it into a PDF file and open it with Adobe Acrobat that you can download for free. In order to covert the file to PDF, you need to get the free download from PDF Online Server. Once it is converted, you will be able to open the file, but you won’t be able to make any changes to it. This is usually a good solution for something that you will only need to read once - it can be a hassle if it is something you are going to do regularly.

Create an Association

If you do have the program that the file is using installed on your computer, you can create an association by going to Start and then All Programs. Click on Default and then click on “Associate a file type or protocol with a program”. Then click on the extension you need and change the program button to select the program you want to open it.

Saving the File and Opening it Outside of the E-mail Client 

If you do have the appropriate application for opening the file, sometimes saving the file to your hard drive and then opening it manually from within the application works. For example, if the letter is a .doc file and you have Microsoft Word, save the file to the My Documents folder and then open Word. Try opening the file that you just saved.

If you know that you have the program, but creating an association still won’t let you open the attachment, you may have to reinstall or repair the program in question.

All my programs ask me what I want to open them with. How do I get them back to normal?

Click here to run an instant scan for file extension related problems!

Just received a file as an e-mail attachment that has an unknown extension. Believed to be nt.IE5CPU7416Vdisposition-notification[1]. How do I open it? My system runs on XP Pro.

Deciphering Unknown File Extension 

Fix, Open and Manage File Extensions with FILECURE!

This is a pretty strange name for a document or file. It might in fact be a mistake, if we could assume that the beginning of the name is IE5 - which might refer to Internet Explorer 5 - and the second part is CPU - which might refer to a hardware component. The last part of the name might make more sense to you, if you are expecting to receive any information about a disposition, but the file might have been improperly attached or the wrong file might have been mistakenly attached. In this case I have no idea what program might have made this file, as there is no identifiable information in the title. Since I can’t discern any kind of program that this file might have been made with so opening it might not be possible without more information.

Reply to the Sender for Verification

If you know the sender and can contact them to confirm that the file was sent intentionally, and the sender assures you that it is safe, you can also ask them the program that was used to create it, so that you can designate the same program to open it. If this is the case and you are still having problems with the file, my advice is to reply to the sender and request a different attachment, one made in a regular program, such as Word if it is a document, or Excel, if it is a spreadsheet.

Be Suspicious of Unknown File Extensions 

Whenever you receive unknown attachments it is a good idea to treat them with suspicion. If you don’t know the sender or, even if you do and the attachment is incomprehensible, as this one appears to be, you shouldn’t open the file. Computer viruses and malware programs are transmitted this way. Simply double clicking to open the file could unleash a destructive code on your system. Hackers can gain illegal access to unsuspecting user’s computers and hijack their email address books to send spam and viruses to all their contacts. Double check with the sender, make sure that they knowingly sent you the attachment, and that they know what it is before you allow it access to your computer.

I have saved a file to my desktop & am unable to open it to amend or print it. It is an invitation I have created from a PC CD-ROM cards & invites disk, it has saved on my desktop as a design type file but I can’t open it on my PC with any of the programs I have. Can you please advise how I can open this file?

OK, this might be an installation problem. If you created this file on the same computer, then the create or write file is clearly working and you should be able to open it but, in this case, the corresponding read file might not be properly installed. You should start by checking the software manufacturer’s website for any updates or patches. It’s possible that there is an incompatibility between your system and the program you are using. It is also possible that the disk you are using doesn’t include a reader, and that you have to install a separate component of the software. If there are no updates, or if you download the updates and they don’t solve your problem, you might want to try uninstalling and reinstalling the program. As long as the file is saved on the desktop you shouldn’t have any problems getting back to it. To uninstall the program the simple fix is to use Windows Add/Remove. From your start menu, open the Control Panel and then click twice on Add or Remove Programs. Select the box beside the program you loaded on the CD ROM. Now, reinstall the software by loading the CD and make sure that you complete the entire installation process.

Without knowing the details of the program that you are using, here are some steps to take to open a file without the software that created it. These directions are written for a Windows operating system. The first thing to do is open either My Computer or Windows Explorer. Next, open the View tab and select Folder Options. Hit the File Types tab and there will be a list of different file types and the different programs that are designed to open them. From the list of files find the type of file that you want to open. So, whatever extension the file is currently, select this now, then hit Edit. When a box opens called Actions, choose Open, and then Edit again. Now, from the Program Used To Perform Action menu select the application that you want to use to open the file. In this case, if you have another graphics application you want to select this now. You can select OK, then OK again.

If you open the program with the CD ROM, there might be different options to save your work. For example, you might be able to save it as different types of files… pdf, jpeg, or something else that you know you can open. If you aren’t sure what kind of file it is, or what program you should use to open it, let’s us know the file extension and we’ll be happy to point you in the right direction.