Windows 10: Continuing questions on how to set and change File Type Associations.

As is well known and many posts cover this setting File Type Associations is suppose to be easy and flexible. But on Windows 10 there are many behaviors that are just baffling to me. I've researched this and tried many techniques, but I'm still unable to really solve a quandary I'm dealing with.I am running Windows 10, have been for many years. Many apps, when they are installed, either set the file associations they use, or prompt you to set them to default to that app. For example, I use Adobe Photoshop Elements. It has many image and video types it recognizes. And of course, many other ap

:)

 

How do I associate file types with non Microsoft programs?

Thank you for your suggestion. I had already reinstalled the program but did not restart. The restart did not change anything but I did learn a few things later.

• Installation does set the associations for types that are unassigned but it does not change the association for known types at least in many cases.
• It does not add the new executable to the list of possibilities that File Explorer displays if you click "Open with...". This is not a good thing so I will submit a Feedback.
  
• If you select properties for a file you can select change "Opens with:" which will let you browse for a program and it will then change it for all files of that type.

 

File type / program association

1. Start globe
2. Default programs
3. Associate a file type
4. Find jpg in the list
5. Change the default to your desired program

 

Windows 11 - I set one file association and all the others disappeared

Dear MChapman87,

Welcome to the Microsoft Community



Thank you for reaching out. I understand that you are experiencing an issue with file associations in Windows 11 after changing one association. I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Let's work together to resolve this problem.

Changing a file association should only affect the specific file type you modified, and it shouldn't impact other file associations. To address this issue, please try the following troubleshooting steps:

1. Reset File Associations:
   
   • Press Windows + I to open the Settings app.
     
   • Go to "Apps" > "Default apps" > "Choose default apps by file type."
     
   • Scroll down and locate the file type that you modified.
     
   • Click on the current default application and select the appropriate program from the list.
     
   • Repeat this process for any other file types you want to restore.
     
2. Use the Default Programs Control Panel:
   
   • Press Windows + R, type control, and hit Enter to open the Control Panel.
     
   • Go to "Programs" > "Default Programs" > "Set Associations."
     
   • Scroll through the list of file types, locate the affected file types, and click "Change program."
     
   • Choose the desired program and click "OK."
     
3. System Restore (Optional):
   
   • If the above steps don't resolve the issue, you can try using System Restore to revert your computer back to a point before the file association changes were made.
     
   • Press Windows + R, type rstrui.exe, and hit Enter to open the System Restore wizard.
     
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to choose a restore point and restore your system.
     

If none of the above steps resolve the issue, please provide more details about the specific file type and the program you associated it with. Additionally, it would be helpful to know if you have made any other changes or installed any new software recently.

Please let me know if you need further assistance. I'm here to help!



Best Regards,

Martin | Microsoft Community Support Specialist