How to change file type associations in Windows 7
Associating different programs with certain file types makes those files easy to open or listen to. For instance, associating Microsoft Word with .doc files allows you to quickly open word files when you download them. Other files can be associated with a variety of different programs. Gif files, a type of picture file, can be opened by many different programs like Internet Explorer, Paint, Windows Media Player, Picasa and other photo/picture viewers. What happens if your pictures or music don’t open in your preferred program? When that happens you need to change the file type association.
The first way of doing this in Windows 7 is to click on Start.
In the right hand menu click on default programs.
Once that opens click on Associate a file type or or protocol with a program.
That will open a list of file extensions such as .gif. Double click on the extension of the file type you want to change.
A window will open giving you a choice of programs to choose from.
If your program is not on the list, look below it and click on the browse button. Scroll through additional programs and click on the one that you want to associate with your file type.
Another way of accomplishing this when you know the program you want to use but you don’t know the extensions of the file types you want to associate it with is to follow the first two steps above. After you’ve clicked on default programs then click on Set default programs.
When the list of programs opens, choose the program you want to use.
For example, you want to use iTunes instead of Windows Media Player for your music. Choose iTunes from the list.
You then can choose between Set this program as default for all music file types that can be associated with the program
or Choose defaults for this program.
If you choose the latter, you can specifically choose what music file types you want to play in iTunes and leave the other music file types associated with Windows Media Player.
These are both easy ways to change file type associations in Windows 7. The next time your music or photos are opening in the wrong program, try one of the above methods of associating the right program with your music or photos.
October 26th, 2009
you can also right click on a file and select open with.
May 3rd, 2010
Yes but stupid microsoft do not allow you to change
the “edit” option on the right click context menu.
Any other features they want to remove for the next version ?
How about hiding all the filenames and we have to run a wizard every time so we can find out the file name ?
June 28th, 2010
You can change file associations, you cannot add switches (default actions) to them though…
Sad
August 24th, 2010
Last resort: edit the registry!
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts
a for open, b for edit
September 22nd, 2010
When you change the default, does it effect the quality of the file itself? My ape files were logged as wmp in their file type because I’d played it on windows media player… when I changed the default to VLC, they read as VLC media file (ape). The ‘date modified’ read the same as it was before the change. Is the file itself untouched then?
September 25th, 2010
In reply to my own question
. I’ve discovered that the default setting (and it’s ‘file type’ reading display) has no bearing on the actual files themselves and only refers to which program on your pc can play them. The files are still the untouched original apes. That’s put my main concern to rest.
November 22nd, 2010
Any way to associate files for ALL users, not just the current user?
E.g Instead of .jpeg/.bmp files opening with Adobe Photoshop, have it open with the standard Windows Picture and Fax Viewer.
Cheers,
Juke
January 16th, 2011
Windows are getting worse. To XP version there was possibility to exact settings of file types and actions (Open with, Install, Browse with, etc, etc).
Now they (M$) goes to the sitter – see eg. help system and many others.
February 14th, 2011
I agree with czlo.
Used to be able to define MULTIPLE actions for any given type (extension), so you could RUN or OPEN a .bat file, but you could also EDIT that file or browse, whatever…. Now, it seems like there’s a 1:1, wherein you can define ONE program, and it is for the OPEN action. This sucks and is bass-ackwards as far as usability of windows. A definite change for the worse, robbing us of powerful functionality, and apparently NOT providing the functionality in any other location or mechanism. SUCKS SUCKS SUCKS Microsux.
April 10th, 2011
@ Stephen and czlo
You can still use windows xp.
July 24th, 2012
blow me markos, you stupid moron.
January 13th, 2013
How can I REMOVE a file association?? I made an association for file type .lnk by accident (wanted to change the internet-shortcut, not the general shortcut), now every program in the START menu wants to start with the same program CAN HARDLY USE MY PC ANYMORE!!!! But it is impossible to undo the association!!! Who can teel me How I can remove a file association???