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How do I change a file association GLOBALLY on a 2003 terminal Server?

I have a NLB cluster of 2003 Terminal Servers.

I have a medical application which requires MSFT Word viewer 2003. The Terminal servers also have Office 2003 Pro installed.

Issue: Word viewer has trumped Word and has associated the .doc file type with Word viewer. All of the users documents open as read only.

Question: How do I Change the .doc file association back to Word GLOBALLY on the Terminal Server?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

Cláudio Rodrigues

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JeremeyLey

ASKER

Based on the Madden article, here is the output from a Terminal Server cmd> ftype | more

Word.Backup.8="C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WINWORD.EXE" /n

Word.Document.12="C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" /n /dde

Word.Document.8="C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WINWORD.EXE" /

Word.DocumentMacroEnabled.12="C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE"

Word.RTF.8="C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WINWORD.EXE" /n /dd

Word.Template.8="C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WINWORD.EXE" /

wordhtmlfile="C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WINWORD.EXE"

wordhtmltemplate="C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WINWORD.EXE"

Wordpad.Document.1="%ProgramFiles%\Windows NT\Accessories\WORDPAD.EXE" "%1

Wordview.Backup.8="C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" /n /dde

Wordview.Document.8="C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" /n /dde

Wordview.RTF.8="C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" /n /dde

Wordview.Template.8="C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE" /n /dde

wordviewhtmlfile="C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE"

wordviewhtmltemplate="C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~1\OFFICE11\WORDVIEW.EXE"

Madden's article touches on global changes but focuses on per user changes. I would like the to know the process for editing the registry to change .doc association back to WORD for all users.

Cláudio Rodrigues

The Microsoft article explains how to do globally. It is at the bottom of the article. You basically need to change the registry to allow the change and then open a command prompt and type CHANGE USER /INSTALL. Then launch Windows Explorer, browse to a .DOC file and right click so you can choose 'Open With' and then select Word and make sure you check the 'Always use this program'.
Once this is done go back to the command prompt and type CHANGE USER /EXECUTE.
This should do the trick.

Cláudio Rodrigues
Microsoft MVP
Windows Server - Terminal Services

JeremeyLey

ASKER

OK, Based on what your tips Here is the fix for the TS 2003 Word / Wordviewer global reassociation

CMD > Regedit HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes
Highlight .doc
Change "(default)" data field from wordviewer.document.8 to word.document.8

Log off and log back on and the file type should revert to opening with WORD.

Thanks for the help!