I want to change the program that is associated with .dat files from powervcd.exe to windows media player 7.1 but the .dat files do not appear in explorer view files.

Reinstalling the media player might do it.

G'day Kevin, you could try going into the registry and look in the Hkey_Classes_Root for the mp3file key [not .mp3 key] and look at the shell\open\command key and see what the command is, it should also be associated with WMP7 and double click it till a box appears with the command and copy it. If mp3's are not associated with WMP7, find a media file-type that is. [cdafile maybe] Now find the datfile key and paste the copied command in the command box for that file-type and see what happens after closing Regedit. Also note that the present command mentions Powervcd.exe and not something else, if something else...leave it. Note: there could be two .datfile types, one for normal .dat [data] and the other for Digital Audio Tape [dat, I could be wrong about the name here]. If think I had two types once before with .dats when I had Windat installed. Or you could create it from the Options\File Types and do it from there [New Type] but ALL .dats will then be associated with WMP7, including data .dat files. If you are not sure about the Registry, give it a miss. And backup anything you are about to change first [export] if you do know about it. Not sure? my new addy is up there, feel free.

To avoid the pitfalls of changing the registry, do: My Computer,View,Folder Options,File Types Locate and select "Dat File" Edit Actions should read "OPEN" Edit In Application Used.... enter the complete path of the new program you want to open .dat files Ok Close Good Luck Don

G'day again Actually, if as Kevin states that the .dat file-type isn't there in the view\options\ etc.. then it won't be in the Registry until he has created it and then he can associate it in the Actions box. And does WMP7 support audio .dat files anyway ?, I can't remember.