Windows Office 2010 'hijacking' File Types

(Windows 7 Home Premium)

I use 'WinPatrol to notify me of 'behind the scenes' changes.

I have both Office 2010 and Libre Office - and prefer to use Libre Office Write, & Spreadsheet as defaults.

But, no matter what I try, Office will insist on changing .doc, .rtf and .xls files to default-opening by Office programs.

How can I 'fix' the defaults so that WinPatrol doesn't keep telling me, every little while, that Office changed the defaults, and I have to click 'accept' or 'reject' the change?

 

So have you tried using Control Panel > Default Programs > Associate a file type or protocol with a program?

 

Some things just persist in wanting to change.
Example: My husband's desktop computer uses an Intel processor and video chip. WinPatrol keeps popping up because Intel wants to put an icon near the clock. I have to say NO 5 or 6 times until it stops - that is until the next time it decides I really need a desktop tray icon.

 

Thanks Earthling for reply. Tried that, and Restarted immediately afterwards. 'Office' still won't accept it, and changes the default back till I manually 'decline' it.

 

The only other way I can think of right now is to use 'Open with...' on the right click menu. That's a bit of a palaver though so how about uninstalling Word and Excel from Office?

 

Or another option is to change permission on the key that associates that file. This is not advisable, and is considered bad form. But you can simply add the permission back. The account in question is probably system. Change from Full Control to Read only. Also, it could be your own account.

 

Earthling - A good thought, thanks - but I've already tried that without success.
Theefool - 1) I don't know how to 'change permission', and 2) you seem to advise against it ('bad form') anyway.

In case it helps, I attach the 'pop-ups' that keep appearing every few minutes, in case there's anything in them that gives a clue, or points to a solution.

 

If you are saying this happens even after uninstalling Word etc then Office has this well and truly sewn up and you are stuck with using Open with...

 

No, I haven't unistalled Office.

This computer has a history - it was a business tool, but has been passed from hand to hand. I have it now, but it's due to be passed on again, sometime.

It came to me with Office installed. I prefer to use Libre Office (I'm used to it), but want to leave Office on it for the next user. In the meantime I'd be glad to get rid of the irritation of these pop-ups every 3 or 4 minutes.

In my ignorance, I expected there to be a way of telling Office and Libre Office what my preferences were, and have them respected. Seems Office won't be told!!

I can, of course, use 'Open with ...' but it would be neater if the computer just did what I wanted! I feel I'm trying to swim upstream all the time.

 

I didn't say to remove Office - just Word and Excel FROM Office. If you took an image before doing so you could easily put it back the way it is now when the time comes.

 

Unhide all files and folders. Open C:\ and look if there's a hidden folder named MSOCache. Right-click it, click Properties to ensure it's not empty. MSO 2007 is 527 MB - MSO 2010 will be bigger. I would copy the folder to DVD, then you can easily re-install Microsoft Office.

Important!
Before uninstalling, find and write down the product key.
You can use MSKeyViewer Plus.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/mskeyviewer_plus.html

 

Thanks both, Earthling and Eldon. I appreciate your trying to help me. My geek skills are not that great, I think I'll play it safe, and just put up with things as they are. I was hoping there'd be a simple 'switch' or something, but it seems not.

Microsoft strikes again!! Thanks again, I appreciate the advice - and I tell friends about MG - one of the finest help services on the web.

 

Thanks, Earthling & Eldon. I appreciate your advice.

I'm not a very advanced 'geek' - I'll play it safe, and put up with things as they are. I was hoping there'd be a simple 'switch' somwehere that I could toggle, but it seems not. Microsoft Strikes Again!

(MG has changed since I was last here - I was going to 'Thank' both, but I don't find the facility for doing that.)

 

It's called Like now and is next to Reply. A lot of changes yes, but overall a big improvement imo.

 

Two other things to try...

Open Control Panel > Default Programs > Associate a file type or protocol with a program. Scroll to .doc, double-click it and select (Libre Office) Writer. You might have to navigate to the executable file. This is similar to Open with except the option to check the box next to Always use the selected program to open this kind of file cannot be unchecked.

Or,
Open Control Panel > Default Programs > Set your default programs. Is Word and Excel there?

 

We tried that in #2 and #4 Eldon, no joy.

 

Thanks Earthling. I missed that. I am still battling to concentrate.
Do you have the second option? I only have Microsoft Office Outlook.

 

No, just MS Outlook (Office 2007 Enterprise)

 

Same here.
Sorry DavidRM. All that I can think of is Always use the selected program to open this kind of file was unchecked.