Reference number: CH000572

How to associate a file with a program in Windows.

Question:

How to associate a file with a program in Windows.

Cause:

Programs that are installed / uninstalled in Windows may also change the association of files on your computer.

Answer:

Below is additional information about how to change what programs are used to open files and how they open the files in Microsoft Windows. Any time a program defaults itself as the program to open a certain file with follow the below steps to re-associate the file back to the program you wish to open the file with.

Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows XP

1. Open My Computer or Explorer.
2. Click the Tools menu and Folder Options.
3. Click the File Types tab.

Adding a new file type

• Click The New button.

• Type the name of the file extension.

• Click Ok.

Modify the actions of a file type

• Locate the file extension you wish to modify and highlight it.
• Click the Advanced button.
• If you wish to modify a previous action, highlight the action in the Actions list and edit it. Otherwise, click New and create a new action.

Removing a file type

• Locate the file extension you wish to remove and highlight it.
• Click the Delete button.

Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 98 and Windows ME

1. Open My Computer or Explorer.
2. Click the View menu and Folder Options.
3. Click the File Types tab.

Adding a new file type

• Click the New Type button.
• Type the Associated extension as well as the description and the actions of the file.

Modifying the actions of a file type

• Locate the file extension you wish to modify and highlight it.
• Click the Edit button.
• If you wish to modify a previous action, highlight the action in the Actions list and edit it. Otherwise, click New and create a new action.

Removing a file type

• Locate the file extension you wish to remove and highlight it.
• Click the Remove button.

Additional information:

• See document CH000654 for additional information about changing the association of files such as audio and video files in popular media players and/or setting defaults for your Internet browser.