How to add program to menu lists?
Thread Starter
Too mean to buy a long personal title
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: UK
How to add program to menu lists?
I try to update the HOSTS file on my home computer from time to time. However, I'm becoming increasingly irritated by the roundabout way that I need to take to open the file for editing.
As it's a file with no extension, if I double click the file I get a box (as expected) saying Windows can't open the file, and what do I want to do? I choose Select a program from a list. But Notepad, the program that I want to use, is not on that list.
The alternative way, using File -> Open With, doesn't work because the Open With option is not on my File menu. Nor does Open With appear on the context menu when I right-click on the file name.
This is really annoying because my work computer offers Notepad as an option using all these methods. On my home computer, I have to open Notepad first and then navigate my way down to the file to open it.
Is there something I can do to add Notepad to these lists, to save the extra hassle?
As it's a file with no extension, if I double click the file I get a box (as expected) saying Windows can't open the file, and what do I want to do? I choose Select a program from a list. But Notepad, the program that I want to use, is not on that list.
The alternative way, using File -> Open With, doesn't work because the Open With option is not on my File menu. Nor does Open With appear on the context menu when I right-click on the file name.
This is really annoying because my work computer offers Notepad as an option using all these methods. On my home computer, I have to open Notepad first and then navigate my way down to the file to open it.
Is there something I can do to add Notepad to these lists, to save the extra hassle?
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: He's on the limb to nowhere
Is there something I can do to add Notepad to these lists, to save the extra hassle?
Navigate to Notepad in the Start/menu structure under Accessories. Right click on Notepad and send it to Desktop.
Now, navigate to hosts file in explorer, drag it on top of the notepad icon you just put on the desktop, and drop it. Notepad will open using the file you just dragged.
Will work with any text files you have lying around in your filesystem and you want to quickly look at.
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Cow Corner
er... XP and Win 2K I think have the "Open With" choice directly in the right click context menu.
If not in Win 2K, or you're using Win 98 (why?!), keeping shift pressed while right clicking guarantees you the "Open With" choice. then you can choose notepad BUT also checkmark "always use this program to open this type of file". I assume the HOSTS file (whatever it is) has some sort of an extension?
I find it rather odd you dont have Notepad in your program listing...
If not in Win 2K, or you're using Win 98 (why?!), keeping shift pressed while right clicking guarantees you the "Open With" choice. then you can choose notepad BUT also checkmark "always use this program to open this type of file". I assume the HOSTS file (whatever it is) has some sort of an extension?
I find it rather odd you dont have Notepad in your program listing...
Thread Starter
Too mean to buy a long personal title
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,981
Likes: 13
From: UK
Originally Posted by rotorcraig
Which operating system?
Win XP Pro.
Originally Posted by BombayDuck
er... XP and Win 2K I think have the "Open With" choice directly in the right click context menu.
If not in Win 2K, or you're using Win 98 (why?!), keeping shift pressed while right clicking guarantees you the "Open With" choice. then you can choose notepad BUT also checkmark "always use this program to open this type of file". I assume the HOSTS file (whatever it is) has some sort of an extension?
I find it rather odd you dont have Notepad in your program listing...
If not in Win 2K, or you're using Win 98 (why?!), keeping shift pressed while right clicking guarantees you the "Open With" choice. then you can choose notepad BUT also checkmark "always use this program to open this type of file". I assume the HOSTS file (whatever it is) has some sort of an extension?
I find it rather odd you dont have Notepad in your program listing...
HOSTS is a file with no extension, so the idea of adding it to the registered file types doesn't work.
I hate drag-and-drop (I hate mice, generally), but I may just have to do that as an option.
Per Ardua ad Astraeus
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 18,575
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From: UK
Check line 25 (right column) of http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm
Thread Starter
Too mean to buy a long personal title
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,981
Likes: 13
From: UK
Many thanks, all. I will work through these suggestions - just as soon as I can evict my parents from the back bedroom and regain access to the machine. (Well, OK, maybe not as dramatic as that - but they are staying with me for a week ...)
