why windows XP recognizes swf files as unknown files even I have installed flash player and Shockwave player ?

That extension is not registered in your System File Type.
To manually do that, open explorer and then go to Tools, folder options, in File Type tab add New.

OR the shortest way is right click the swf file and then select Open With/Open and then when the program's list comes, select FlashPlayer and check ON the check box to Use this always.

I assume when you say you have installed flash player, you have actually installed the executable (.exe) flash player and not just the plugin for IE/Firefox?

The main reason that *.swf isn't registered with an Open action is that it is expected to be launched from the code embedded in a web page, and rarely as a standalone downloaded *.swf file.

I created the following Right-Click option to "Open in IE" for the *.swf file type.
Copy and paste into Notepad, add 2 extra blank lines at end.  Save as eg. Flash_In_IE.txt.  Close Notepad.  Right-Click *.txt file and rename to *.reg file.  Right-Click *.reg file and choose "Merge".  Icon should change to blue "e", and "Open in IE" should be bold and at the top of the right-click menu.  In addition, it should also show on the Right-Click > Open With list.

--------- start of text to copy (DON'T copy this line) ------
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.swf]
@="ShockwaveFlash.ShockwaveFlash"
"Content Type"="application/x-shockwave-flash"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.swf\OpenWithList]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.swf\OpenWithList\IExplore.exe]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ShockwaveFlash.ShockwaveFlash\shell\View_in_IE]
@="View in IE"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ShockwaveFlash.ShockwaveFlash\shell\View_in_IE\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\Internet Explorer\\iexplore.exe\" \"%1\""

--------- end of text to copy (DON'T copy this line) ------

 

Phatzer, maybe you are right .. I think it's just a plug-in for IE/FF..

Well - no it is not clear what the asker thinks he had installed. And his last comment tells me that he really thought he had thought he had installed full blown players and not just plugins.

Split is ok with me here (on all participating experts)

>>I'm quite sure Ameerh24 would have known whether the Flash or Director design applications were installed:
:) Do not be so sure. And you never know who installed the machine and so on.

I got your point the first time. :)
It should have been a split, I agree

Whoops, who accepted that?
If that was you, Ameerh24, thank you very much and I hope that the info provided was helpful.

The Asker - if it is a Cleanup accept, you will see a notice from the closing Moderator.