Open multiple files at once not working ...

Question

For quite a while now I've noticed on my Win XP SP2 (with all high priority updates applied, on my 8400) that if I select a couple of files in Windows explorer, eg 5 Excel files, and I right click and select 'open' ... nothing happens!! I must select each file one at a time to open. Is this a 'feature' or something I can tweak/correct?   Update: Just that If I open Excel and use it's Open dialog then I can open multiple files at once (which gets me around my short term problem, but still wondering if there is some longer term Explorer solution).   Thanks, Message Edited by CmA on 11-16-200611:54 AM

fireberd · Answer

Since this is apparently an Excel issue for you, repost on the appropriate forum section for MS Office issues.   http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board?board.id=sw_office2000

CmA · Answer

Excel was only intended as an example, but fair point ... it seems to be the same (didn't extensively test ...) with most apps where I might try and open multiple files for 'editing' ... Just tried opening two html files (IE6 default app) ... Same problem. Oddly enough BMP files open fine in Paint, and I also just tried two EXE files and it worked ... But two FLA (Macromedia Flash) files won't work ... Odd ...

jmwills · Answer

You may have broken the file association.  I just opened 10 at once from with Excel.

CmA · Answer

Do you mean 'windows' menu within Excel (for example)? ... If so then I can clarify that Excel (or whatever app) doesn't open at all ... I select files (using CTRL and click within Windows Explorer); then right click and select open ... nothing at all happens.

CmA · Answer

(I don't want to get too hung up specifically on Excel ... that was just an example, but ...)   I can open Excel ... and then use it's dialog to open any number at one go ... that works fine.   I can open Excel, and drag a selection of files to the app. Works fine.   I can double click on a single file and it will open (so file association is OK).   But I cannot do as described already ... select a number of files, right click, open ... mouse pointer turns to timer for a few seconds (so something is happening) and then ... nothing ...   It's not a big deal ... And I know it should work as I have other PCs at work with XP that all work OK ... Just wondering what might stop it working on this PC ...   Thanks,

jmwills · Answer

Are the files showing open under the Windows Menu?

Windows General

Open multiple files at once not working ...

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