Can't uncheck 'Always use the selected program to open this kind of file" in XP

I am trying to change HTM and HTML from IE to Front Page.  Not only can I not uncheck the box I can't change the program assiociated with the file extention.  The link you suggested is what I have been trying to do and it does not work.  I am unclear why this doesn't work and am wondering if there is a registry setting that can be modified?

Here's a registry hack that will reverse your situation (i.e. by default the box will be unticked)
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/alwaysopen.htm
There are two versions here the registry fix for a single file type or the global untick.

MASQUERAID, I tried your suggestion and it is not working.   I cannot change the association or uncheck this box.  This happened sometime within the last week as this was not issue prior to that.  I am wondering if a MS update did this or I have some Malware.  Any other ideas??

Thanks!!!

There would be no reason for M$ to push something to lock this (and I'm running all the updates & don't see this)
A malware scan would be worthwhile.
What was in your registry key for HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT \ Unknown \ shell \ openas \ command ?

I agree that they wouldn't have done it on purpose, but MS has been know to break things when fixing other things.  ;>)

The setting was %SystemRoot%\system32\rundll32.exe %SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL %1 when I first looked at it.  I changed it to:  rundll32.exe shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL %1 %2 which was in the link you sent.  I rebooted and it still wasn't working.  I then changed it back to the original setting and added the %2 to the end just to try that.  Rebooted and still not working right.

I have run MalwareBytes multiple times and it doesn't find anything.

I am at a loss because I have never had this issue before.  Even when I forgot to uncheck box when editing a file, I was always able to go back and uncheck it.

Are you on a domain?

1. Open Regedit
2. Navigate to the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Curr entVersion\policies\Explorer
 (If the subkey doesn't exist, open the Edit menu and select New, Key to create it.)
Now add a new entry to the explorer key)
3. From the Edit menu, select New, DWORD Value.
4. Enter the name NoFileAssociate.
5. Set the value to 0
6. Click OK.
7. Close the registry editor.
8. Restart the computer for the changes to take effect

negativelocity, yes I am on a domain.

flubbster, I tried your solution and here are the results, I can now change the file association but, when I right click on a file I still do not have the Open With option. If I click on Open on a file that does not have a program associated with it I get a list of programs to use and the checkbox for always use this program is grayed out.  

The problem is partially solved.  I really need the Open With option to be available again.

Thanks to everyone so far who has offered solutions.

When you do that, make sure you select the program you want to use to open it with, then see if the option becomes active.

This option corrected the issue which was I got back the "Open With" option when I right click on a file regardless if has been associated with a program.  I still am unclear why the option went away and any thoughts you have on that would be appreciated.

Thank you.