Cannot set Excel as default for .xls files

I recently installed Office 2007 on my machine with Windows Vista Premium.
Upon installation Office did not automatically set the default program for
opening .xls file to Excel like it used to. Now Windows will not let me set
Excel as the default for opening .xls files. It will let me choose almost
any other program...but not Excel which is the one I need.

"msb1969" <msb1969@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:EDFE9DC3-07CD-482E-8749-DCA8528A9F00@microsoft.com...
>I recently installed Office 2007 on my machine with Windows Vista Premium.
> Upon installation Office did not automatically set the default program for
> opening .xls file to Excel like it used to. Now Windows will not let me
> set
> Excel as the default for opening .xls files. It will let me choose almost
> any other program...but not Excel which is the one I need.


There is a cheap program out called 'Recover My Files'. It will recover
most any file that hasn't been formatted over or written over.

How are you trying to set the default? What happens when you try?


--
Good Luck,

Keith
Microsoft MVP [Windows XP Shell/User]

"msb1969" <msb1969@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:EDFE9DC3-07CD-482E-8749-DCA8528A9F00@microsoft.com...
>I recently installed Office 2007 on my machine with Windows Vista Premium.
> Upon installation Office did not automatically set the default program for
> opening .xls file to Excel like it used to. Now Windows will not let me
> set
> Excel as the default for opening .xls files. It will let me choose almost
> any other program...but not Excel which is the one I need.

[Loanwoof]

I'm having the same problem - Vista will recognize Excel 2007 as the default application for other file types (.xlsx, .xlsm, etc)

Even when I highlight the .xls filetype, click "Change Program" and browse to the Office 2007 directory and double click on Excel.exe it isn't recognized as a program (most any other .exe will be recognized and set as the default)

I've done a re-install and a repair installation, no joy. Interestingly, though not surprisingly, I'm having the exact same issue with .doc files and Word 2007.

Theres something wrong with your Office installation, installing 2007 should
set all older version files to open in 2007 by default
Post to an Office group for further advice.
And post direct to MS groups, not via some other means, which fails to
include any threads

"Loanwoof" <Loanwoof.3mzzc4@no-mx.forums.vistaheads.com> wrote in message
news:Loanwoof.3mzzc4@no-mx.forums.vistaheads.com...
>
> I'm having the same problem - Vista will recognize Excel 2007 as the
> default application for other file types (.xlsx, .xlsm, etc)
>
> Even when I highlight the .xls filetype, click "Change Program" and
> browse to the Office 2007 directory and double click on Excel.exe it
> isn't recognized as a program (most any other .exe will be recognized
> and set as the default)
>
> I've done a re-install and a repair installation, no joy.
> Interestingly, though not surprisingly, I'm having the exact same issue
> with .doc files and Word 2007.
>
>
> --
> Loanwoof
> Posted via http://www.vistaheads.com
>