F5F Stay Refreshed Software Operating Systems This strange file called "" shows up when you try to open an image, and I can't figure out why or how to take it away.

This strange file called "" shows up when you try to open an image, and I can't figure out why or how to take it away.

This strange file called "" shows up when you try to open an image, and I can't figure out why or how to take it away.

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thetimandu13
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38
04-07-2026, 12:26 AM
#1
I've been using Windows 11 for about a year, but only recently did the system push the 22H2 update. After updating my computer to version 22H2, in that "Open With" programs list, one program shows up as just a backslash "\" when I try to click it. Clicking on it brings up a menu asking me to choose an app to open the image with again. I'm guessing this is something I already deleted or maybe a glitch somewhere. I've already cleared my registry and this strange program is still showing up. This mysterious program only appears in the recommended list if I try to open JPG, PNG, or TIFF pictures, but not GIFs or WebP images. For now, it hasn't hurt me at all; it just looks weird and I don't want any of that clutter there.
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thetimandu13
04-07-2026, 12:26 AM #1

I've been using Windows 11 for about a year, but only recently did the system push the 22H2 update. After updating my computer to version 22H2, in that "Open With" programs list, one program shows up as just a backslash "\" when I try to click it. Clicking on it brings up a menu asking me to choose an app to open the image with again. I'm guessing this is something I already deleted or maybe a glitch somewhere. I've already cleared my registry and this strange program is still showing up. This mysterious program only appears in the recommended list if I try to open JPG, PNG, or TIFF pictures, but not GIFs or WebP images. For now, it hasn't hurt me at all; it just looks weird and I don't want any of that clutter there.

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HotShotFreak09
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5
04-17-2026, 05:52 AM
#2
Open Command Prompt (as Administrator) and type "assoc" separately, then run "ftype" too. Both commands will likely give you a long list of info. Start with "assoc". Look at what's to the right of the equals sign and check if there are any application names that sound wrong or don't match what I installed or uninstalled. Run the same checks on "ftype." The results show more details, but it might still be hard to find out why something is broken. There might be another fix available but I haven't tested it yet. Not sure when you'll get an answer.
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HotShotFreak09
04-17-2026, 05:52 AM #2

Open Command Prompt (as Administrator) and type "assoc" separately, then run "ftype" too. Both commands will likely give you a long list of info. Start with "assoc". Look at what's to the right of the equals sign and check if there are any application names that sound wrong or don't match what I installed or uninstalled. Run the same checks on "ftype." The results show more details, but it might still be hard to find out why something is broken. There might be another fix available but I haven't tested it yet. Not sure when you'll get an answer.

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match2e2
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22
04-17-2026, 06:37 AM
#3
I ran those command lines. The Quicktime list shows blank spots next to certain file types like ftype. I guess this is the cause of things because these missing types match the ones with a strange backslash quote in their names.
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match2e2
04-17-2026, 06:37 AM #3

I ran those command lines. The Quicktime list shows blank spots next to certain file types like ftype. I guess this is the cause of things because these missing types match the ones with a strange backslash quote in their names.

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zezol12
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11
04-20-2026, 01:50 AM
#4
QuickTime might have been Apple's media player used before. Did you get this program (on Windows) or another one? I think Apple stopped making support for QuickTime on computers that run Windows. What happened in the computer settings when they cleared it? If I look into the registry under "Quicktime" or just "Quick", does anything show up there? Please only check the registry. Changing things is dangerous and not good to do unless you are sure what you are doing.
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zezol12
04-20-2026, 01:50 AM #4

QuickTime might have been Apple's media player used before. Did you get this program (on Windows) or another one? I think Apple stopped making support for QuickTime on computers that run Windows. What happened in the computer settings when they cleared it? If I look into the registry under "Quicktime" or just "Quick", does anything show up there? Please only check the registry. Changing things is dangerous and not good to do unless you are sure what you are doing.

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Ironchicken121
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59
04-20-2026, 03:27 AM
#5
Quicktime seems to be causing the problem. Removing it clears up that "\\" thing.
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Ironchicken121
04-20-2026, 03:27 AM #5

Quicktime seems to be causing the problem. Removing it clears up that "\\" thing.

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