Can't get Vista to allow me to set the default program for .xls Vista Bugs and Problems Discuss Can't get Vista to allow me to set the default program for .xls in the Windows Vista forums; I currently have spreadsheets (xls files) set to be opened by Open Office. I have already installed Gnumeric, and want to let that open up spreadsheets for a while. However ...

[prr]

I currently have spreadsheets (xls files) set to be opened by Open Office. I have already installed Gnumeric, and want to let that open up spreadsheets for a while. However I get to the "open with" dialogue (whether by right-click>open with, or through the Control Panel), Gnumeric isn't in the options to open up spreadsheets. When I click on Browse, I can find Gnumeric, but when I get to the exe and double-click (or single-click and then click on open), Gnumeric still won't appear as one of the options.

Recomendations? Gnumeric is installed not in program files, but in the C directory itself. Not sure if that has anything to do with it or not.

Inspiron 1501, Vista Home Basic

[Snuffy]

when you right click the .xls file browse down to "change default"... then make sure you have the small box clicked in lower left corner when you click use Gnumeric.

[prr]

When I try to Windows itself won't allow me to choose Gnumeric. In the browse button, I can navigate to find the .exe for Gnumeric, but after clicking on it, I am taken back to the window that asks me to choose the program, but Gnumeric is not there. The result is the same, regardless of whether I have checked that "Always use the selected..." box or not.

[felix8406]

Originally Posted by prr

Gnumeric is installed not in program files, but in the C directory itself. Not sure if that has anything to do with it or not.

That could be the reason, but can't say for sure. Try this: Create a shortcut of Gnumeric on your desktop and drag the XLS file to it.

[prr]

Originally Posted by felix8406

That could be the reason, but can't say or sure. Try this: Create a shortcut of Gnumeric on your desktop and drag the XLS file to it.

OK Felix, I did that. I already had a shortcut on my quick launch bar, and it opened up the file. So at least now I know how to open up spreadsheets in Gnumeric. After doing this, I did go back to the "open with" attempts, and the situation has remained the same.

[felix8406]

Well, is a start. Try this: Right-click the Start Button > Select Explore > Press the ALT key > Select Tools > Folders Option > View Tab > Select Show hidden files and folders > Click OK.

Now try the "Open With".

[prr]

I did that, too. I already had Windows set up to have hidden files and folders, so I unchecked it, hit apply/ok, then went back in and had it checked again, but same old luck.

Man you know I think this happened to me before, and unless I'm entirely delusional (always a possiblity ), I believe I found a way to get Open With to work, but I didn't write it down. Oh well. Thanks for your time.