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(308089) - When you attempt to browse to a Web site by typing the Web address in the Open box of the Run dialog box, you may receive the following error message: This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an...

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Microsoft Knowledge Base Article

This article contents is Microsoft Copyrighted material.
©2005-©2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use | Trademarks

Article ID: 308089 - Last Review: October 10, 2003 - Revision: 3.2

Error Message: "File Does Not Have a Program Associated with It" Error Message When You Use the Run Command to Browse to a Web Site

This article was previously published under Q308089

On This Page

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to browse to a Web site by typing the Web address in the Open box of the Run dialog box, you may receive the following error message:
This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Folder Options control panel.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if both the following conditions are true:
  • You turn off access to Microsoft Internet Explorer from the Start menu and desktop.

    -and-
  • You click Start, click Run, type the Web address of the Web site that you want to browse to in the Open box, and then click OK.
After you turn off access to Internet Explorer, you cannot use the Run command to connect to a Web site by using MSN Explorer.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, use either of the following methods.

Method 1

Start MSN Explorer, and then type the Web address of the Web site that you want to browse to in the Address bar.

Method 2

Turn on access to Internet Explorer from the Start menu and desktop, and then use the Run command to browse to the Web site that you want. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Add or Remove Programs, and then click Add/Remove Windows Components.
  3. In the Components list, click to select the Internet Explorer check box, and then click Next.
  4. Click Finish.
  5. Click Start, and then click Run.
  6. In the Open box, type the Web address of the Web site that you want to browse to, and then click OK.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about another documented issue concerning the Run dialog box, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
295803  (http://kbalertz.com/Feedback.aspx?kbNumber=295803/EN-US/ ) Error Message Appears When You Attempt to Access a Web Site by Using the Run Dialog Box
For additional information about how to add or remove Windows Components in Windows XP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
307894  (http://kbalertz.com/Feedback.aspx?kbNumber=307894/EN-US/ ) HOW TO: Add or Remove a Windows Component in Windows XP

APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0, when used with:
    • Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
    • Microsoft Windows XP Professional
    • Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition
    • Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
Keywords: 
kbprb KB308089
       

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Anonymous User Report As Irrelevant  
Written: 6/13/2004 8:17 PM
The fix to to the URL no file association problem is usually fall-off-a-log easy. To restore proper URL associations simply do the following:
1. From your Windows Taskbar, click the Start Button 
2. Choose Settings > Control Panel (or just Control Panel for WinXP) 
3. In the Control Panel, open the Internet Options control 
4. On the Programs tab, click Reset Web Settings 
Good luck, Jim

Anonymous User Report As Irrelevant  
Written: 10/18/2004 2:53 PM
All of a sudden everything I try to click on, all of my programs, and even system restore give me this message. It has nothing to do with web browsing. Thank God I can still browse. Karen