disappearing programs

for some reason, my files no longer connect to my 'MS word/ppt/excel'
programs. for example, if i am opening an email with an 'MS word' attachment,
it tells me i have to "find" a program to open it with because it no longer
automatically goes to 'MS word' (same goes for excel or powerpoint). all of
my saved files no longer have the 'MS word' icon next to it - it looks more
like a notepad icon. when i try to open them, they don't open in MS word. i
have to open MS word separately, then find the file. why is this happening
and how can i fix it?

For whatever reason, your system seems to have lost the file associations.

Win XP: http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=307859
Vista: http://www.ocmodshop.com/ocmodshop.aspx?a=853

--

JoAnn Paules
Microsoft MVP - Publisher

How to ask a question
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375



"sh" <sh@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:22AE4739-FCF2-494B-8618-ED837610646F@microsoft.com...
> for some reason, my files no longer connect to my 'MS word/ppt/excel'
> programs. for example, if i am opening an email with an 'MS word'
> attachment,
> it tells me i have to "find" a program to open it with because it no
> longer
> automatically goes to 'MS word' (same goes for excel or powerpoint). all
> of
> my saved files no longer have the 'MS word' icon next to it - it looks
> more
> like a notepad icon. when i try to open them, they don't open in MS word.
> i
> have to open MS word separately, then find the file. why is this happening
> and how can i fix it?