Opening File in Word 2000

I am having an annoying problem opening htm and html files from Word 2K. I want to use Netscape for this (in part because the files were originally saved in Netscape; I strongly prefer NS for browsing mainly because of its vastly superior management of bookmarks although there are some sites where I have no choice but to use IE). From the Open window in Word I select Open With and a list of programs appears in the Open With window. Oddly, Netscape is never listed in that window, even if it is actually running. So I click on Other. For some reason the folder that appears next is none other than Netscape. I then click on netscape.exe, Open, and then check the box to Always Use This Program to Open Files of This Type. That ought to do it, right? Well the file will open in Netscape just fine--for now. Close it and then try to reopen it and I have to go through the entire process again. And for every other htm or html file that I may then try to open.

So I went to Folder Options in Control Panel to try to fix the problem. The screens are pretty much the same. There is no Netscape in the Open With window, and after selecting it using Other I see that the box for Always Open is checked but the line containing the checked box is greyed out. When I get back to the Open With window there is still no program associated with htm or html files (I went through this separately for each file type). If I change the associated program to Internet Explorer every thing works like clockwork: IE is there in the Open With window; select it and now the IE icon shows up in the window with Registered File types. But it is simply not possible with Netscape.

Is this fixable? I am using WinMe (but a new PC with another OS is on the horizon). Is it me? WinMe? Is this what I get for trying to resist IE ("We are Microsoft; Resistance is futile; you will be assimilated. . .")? Is it my punishment for using WinMe (sorry, I know it stinks but it came with my Dell system!@#$?!!) Or is Microsoft still trying to kick sand in Netscape's face?