Error Message: "File Does Not Have a Program Associated with It" Error Message When You Use the Run Command to Browse to a Web Site (308089)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Internet Explorer version 6 for Windows XP
This article was previously published under Q308089

SYMPTOMS

When you attempt to browse to a Web site by typing the Web address in the Open box of the Run dialog box, you may receive the following error message:
This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Folder Options control panel.

CAUSE

This behavior can occur if both the following conditions are true:
  • You turn off access to Microsoft Internet Explorer from the Start menu and desktop.

    -and-
  • You click Start, click Run, type the Web address of the Web site that you want to browse to in the Open box, and then click OK.
After you turn off access to Internet Explorer, you cannot use the Run command to connect to a Web site by using MSN Explorer.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, use either of the following methods.

Method 1

Start MSN Explorer, and then type the Web address of the Web site that you want to browse to in the Address bar.

Method 2

Turn on access to Internet Explorer from the Start menu and desktop, and then use the Run command to browse to the Web site that you want. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click Add or Remove Programs, and then click Add/Remove Windows Components.
  3. In the Components list, click to select the Internet Explorer check box, and then click Next.
  4. Click Finish.
  5. Click Start, and then click Run.
  6. In the Open box, type the Web address of the Web site that you want to browse to, and then click OK.

MORE INFORMATION

For additional information about another documented issue concerning the Run dialog box, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

295803 Error Message Appears When You Attempt to Access a Web Site by Using the Run Dialog Box

For additional information about how to add or remove Windows Components in Windows XP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

307894 HOW TO: Add or Remove a Windows Component in Windows XP

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/10/2003
Keywords:kbprb KB308089
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.