CS2's Tricky Right-Click (Windows Open With... Has No Illustrator Listing)

Question

I've seen several people ask about this and have had the problem myself.  I've seen few answers and most that have asked seemed to have sought help elsewhere or given up.  Having solved it with a little hunting and digging around for info, I thought I'd share what I've learned.  I know this is a half-decade-old issue, but I had it today and I'm sure I won't be the last.  Hopefully somebody else out there can benefit.
Problem:  Upon installing the CS2 suite, Illustrator is not listed as an option for opening files in the contextual/right-click menu within Windows Explorer.  (Generally applies to PDF filetype, but should work for others if the issue comes up.)  Attempts to add Illustrator result in error messages or non-response from the Open With dialogue.
Solution:  This solution will require editing your registry.  Registry files are very critical to the inner workings of Windows and if you're not sure about what you're doing, please ask an advanced user (or admin/I.T. dept. if you're on a work computer) for assistance.
First, be certain that Illustrator and any other program that can open your PDF files are installed properly.  (Photoshop, Acrobat and Reader will do, for example.)
If PDF is already associated with another program, you can skip to the next step.  In Windows Explorer, select your PDF and right-click on it.  Select Open With... then pick any program.  (Actually, even a program that can't open PDF's should work for this process, but you may have unnecessary difficulty.)  See that the checkbox to always use the selected program is turned on.  Click OK.  You may close the program after it opens.
Now you'll need to retrieve the complete path to Illustrator.  One easy way to find this is to locate the program listing in your Start menu, desktop, wherever it is.  Right-click that icon and select Properties.  You do NOT want the path that's listed under Location on the General tab.  On the Shortcut tab, select and copy the path listed in the Target field.  You do not need to copy the quotation marks, if there are any.
Next we need the Registry Editor...please do heed the warning above before proceeding.  Click on the Start menu, then Run...  In the Run pop-up (the Start\Search box in Windows 7 also works) type regedit then click OK.
You should now have a window with what look like folder branches on the left-hand side.  These folders are called keys.  If you only see one item marked Computer, click the plus sign or arrow to expand the list.  There will be one key labaled HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.  Expand that as well.  You should get a VERY long list that begins with * and proceeds through many file extensions and other items.  Scroll down...way down, past all the items that start with periods and other special characters.  We're looking for the P section, which in my list is about 3/4 of the way to the bottom.  Expand the key labeled pdf_auto_file.  (There is a .pdf item higher in the list.  Keep going if you're there.)
We are now at: Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\pdf_auto_file
Expand all of the keys inside pdf_auto_file.  There should be one named shell, holding edit and open, each of which holds a final key named command.  Inside each of the command keys should be one item that shows on the right-hand side.  That item (this is called a value) is named (Default) and you'll notice the data within holds the path to the program you selected earlier.  This is what we need to change, iniside both command keys.
Double-click the value name (Default) or icon.  A window will pop up named Edit String.  In this window, note the Value data containing the program file path.  This is usually surrounded by " and " "%1 ".  Select only the path between the quotation marks, ending in exe.  Now paste the path you copied earlier for Illustrator.  Take note that the complete string looks similar to:
"E:\Adobe\CS2\Adobe Illustrator CS2\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe" "%1"
Click OK to close the box, then go to the other command key and repeat the replacement for its data value.  Close that box and you should be finished editing.  You may close the Registry Editor now, as well as any other windows you don't need.
In Windows 7, this was pretty much all I needed to do.  Earlier versions may or may not need rebooting Windows to update the active system.  I've now got Illustrator as my default program for PDF's and it's available in the Open With... window should I chose to change my mind a couple times.  The PDF icon even updated itself. 
Should you need any details explained further, drop a reply...I think I'll get a notice, though this is my first post here.  If I don't respond very soon, feel free to e-mail my nickname @aol.com to remind me.  Good luck!

Answer 1

In XP Pro, not there to be 100% sure, that "open with" already has Illustrator CS3 listed and no version 10, the opposite of what Bridge shows.
I'll try it, just in case that helps update Bridge.
Thanks