How to Fix the Missing “Open With” option on the Context Menu in Windows 10
Several Windows 10 users have reported a peculiar bug in the latest version of the popular Microsoft operating system. The “Open with” option is not visible when any file is right-clicked.
Users might usually see and use the “Open with” option which is shown when you right click a program. It allows you to open files in other any other software than the default program. For instance, the “Open with” option will let you open a picture in Photoshop or any other program which will open in the default photo viewer otherwise. Absence of this option will not let you open files with other programs which might offer better functionalities than the default program.
The core fact that triggers this issue is an incorrect key in the registry. Do not worry if you do not understand what that means, we will show how to fix this. This key is usually altered or removed by some other program. No matter what the reason is, you can always put the correct key in the registry via a built-in program in Windows named Regedit, which basically is a program that allows you to edit the registry (as the name suggests). Proceed further in the article to figure out how to do this.
Hit the Start button (Windows icon) on the bottom left of the taskbar on the screen. Type regedit in the search bar and press enter or click on the first suggestion it gives. Doing either of the task will open regedit.
However, before you can use this program, your account security might ask you if you permit regedit to make changes to your system. It might even ask for a password if the restrictions are strict. It might or might require this information, but if it does, it would show a dialog. If it asks for the permission only, click Yes. If it requires the password you have set previously, enter that password and press Enter.
Once you have answered the account control queries, regedit will open. Under the heading named Computer in the list on the left, click HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, then click *, then shellex, and finally ContextMenuHandlers. When you are in ContextMenuHandlers, search for a key named Open With.
If you can’t find any key with this name, create one. Right click on ContextMenuHandlers, go in New and select Key. After it creates the new key, name it Open With and open it by double clicking. Either way, when you are in Open With, click the only file it shows on the right labeled Default.
When you double click Default, a dialog box will open with a heading Edit String. You will see an entry in this dialog box labeled Value Data. Enter {09799AFB-AD67-11d1-ABCD-00C04FC30936} in that entry and click OK.
Once done, close regedit by clicking on the cross on the top right of the screen. The issue should resolve after you have done this successfully. Check if it is, and if not, restart your system and check again.
