Make excel files open in excel rather than IE

[mogwai]

In Vista does anyone know how to set it so that any excel files that are referenced in a url open in excel rather than IE. I know that in XP you can do this via properties on the file association, which is to uncheck browse in same window. However vista seems to have very limited options for file associations.

 

[mogwai]

The issue I am trying to solve is when url's etc in IE point to an excel file I want it to open in excel rather than in IE. Poolybits' solution is ok for XP but I am trying to do the same thing in Vista.