INFO: Shell Extensions for File Names with No File Extension (236014)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Win32 Application Programming Interface (API), when used with:
    • Microsoft Windows 98
    • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
    • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0

This article was previously published under Q236014

SUMMARY

Shell extensions for file names with no file extension can be registered under the following:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.]
				
For example, to associate a program (for example, Notepad.exe) to open all files with no extension, use the following registry keys:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.]
@=""

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.\shell\open]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.\shell\open\command]
@="<path to notepad.exe> %1"
				
Here is an alternative method:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.]
@="NoExtFile"

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\NoExtFile]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\NoExtFile\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\NoExtFile\shell\open]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\NoExtFile\shell\open\command]
@="<path to notepad.exe> %1"
				
NOTE: "NoExtFile" is not a predefined name, and therefore it can be anything. Adding other shell extensions is similar to adding shell extensions for file names with extensions.

REFERENCES

Please refer to the Platform SDK documentation on Shell Extensions for more information.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kbExtension kbinfo kbShellGrp KB236014