SPSS & Windows: Changing file associations

[Richard Ristow]

I'm experimenting with running SPSS 14 and 15 on the same machine. For
various reasons, I want the file associations (what program takes it
when you double-click a file) to point to SPSS 14; that is, 14 to be
the standard version. When I installed SPSS 15, it 'grabbed' the
associations. What's the best way to change them back?

-With thanks,
  Richard

[Oliver, Richard]

The "last one wins" rule applies. The next time you start SPSS 14, the file associations will be associated with that version. So, for example, if you start SPSS 14 using the Start menu, then shut it down immediately, the next time you start SPSS by double-clicking a file, it will launch SPSS 14.
 
If you need to do this programmatically, rereg.bat in the installation directory for that version of SPSS should reset the file associations.

________________________________

From: SPSSX(r) Discussion on behalf of Richard Ristow
Sent: Fri 1/5/2007 9:01 PM
To: [hidden email]
Subject: SPSS & Windows: Changing file associations



I'm experimenting with running SPSS 14 and 15 on the same machine. For
various reasons, I want the file associations (what program takes it
when you double-click a file) to point to SPSS 14; that is, 14 to be
the standard version. When I installed SPSS 15, it 'grabbed' the
associations. What's the best way to change them back?

-With thanks,
  Richard

[Richard Ristow]

I'd written,

>When I installed SPSS 15, it 'grabbed' the associations [for files
>normally associated with SPSS]. What's the best way to change them
>back?

At 12:17 PM 1/6/2007, Oliver, Richard wrote:

>The "last one wins" rule applies. The next time you start SPSS 14, the
>file associations will be associated with that version. So, for
>example, if you start SPSS 14 using the Start menu, then shut it down
>immediately, the next time you start SPSS by double-clicking a file,
>it will launch SPSS 14.

Thank you! That works, but there's a piece of fine print that had hung
me up:

Under Windows XP, the associations (apparently) only change if you're
running with Administrator privileges. I just started SPSS 14 with "Run
as", naming an administrator account, and it did take back the
associations.

I think I'll put both SPSS 14 and SPSS 15 on the "Send To" menu, too.

-Many thanks,
  Richard