Knowledge Base

Double-Clicking Document Does Not Open It in WordPad

Article ID: 135218

Article Last Modified on 11/15/2006

APPLIES TO

This article was previously published under Q135218

SYMPTOMS

WordPad may not open certain documents that you double-click in Windows Explorer or My Computer.

CAUSE

The Windows 95 version of the Write.exe file overwrites any version from an earlier version of Windows. The Windows 95 version of Write.exe is a link to WordPad, but it does not pass certain parameters (such as long filenames) to WordPad correctly.

RESOLUTION

Rename the document to use a short filename, or change the file's association from Write.exe to Wordpad.exe.

MORE INFORMATION

To change a file's association to Wordpad.exe, follow these steps:
  1. In Windows Explorer or My Computer, press down and hold the SHIFT key while you click the file with the right mouse button, and then click Open With on the menu that appears.
  2. In the "Choose the program you want to use" box, click WordPad.
  3. Click the "Always use this program to open this type of file" check box to select it.
  4. Click OK.

Keywords: KB135218


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