Windows ten opens different file types using a item plan. It does this through file associations, where a program or app has been set as the default for that file type.

If y'all want to ready default programs and modify file associations in Windows 10, we'll bear witness you lot all the methods to do this.

What Are Windows x File Associations?

Every file on your organization is stored in a item format, like JPG image files and Physician Discussion files.

Certain programs can only open up certain files. For case, an epitome file like JPG can't be opened in a word processor like Word. Instead, yous'd open the paradigm in something like the Windows 10 Photos app.

overview_filetypes

Rather than having to specify which program y'all want to utilize to open up a file every fourth dimension you admission information technology, Windows assigns each file type a default program. These defaults can exist changed by the user, or a plan could set its own when installed.

That'due south why information technology sometimes becomes necessary to suit your file blazon associations. Happily, information technology's easy to do this.

Let'southward notice out how you tin can meet what type your files are and then the different methods to change the Windows 10 file associations.

What Type Is My File?

Before yous can alter file associations, you need to know what file types you are storing.

Start, open File Explorer and navigate to the binder which contains your file. Then, right click the file and select Backdrop.

A new window with details about that file will open. Blazon of file will tell you what the file extension of the file is. Opens with will tell y'all what program it'll open in.

Windows 10 file properties

You lot can prepare it and then that the file extension appears with the file proper name in File Explorer. To exercise this, open File Explorer and click the View tab. So tick the box for File name extensions.

How to Change File Type Associations in Windows ten

There are three quick and piece of cake methods within Windows to modify the file type associations.

i. Open With

You tin change the file type associations directly from the File Explorer. To do and then, right click the file and then hover Open with.

Windows 10 Open with

You'll meet a list of programs, which you can apply to open up the file, but this volition just be a ane-off and won't change your settings permanently. To brand a permanent modify, select Cull some other app.

Windows 10 choosing another program to open files with

Now select the application from the listing that yous desire to use to open up the file type of the file you've chosen. If you lot don't come across the program you need, scroll down and select More apps for a wider pick.

If it's still not there, select Look for some other app on this PC. You can and then become through your Program Files and locate the executable for the program you want.

When selected, tick E'er utilize this app to open .X files at the bottom of the window. This will permanently change the file type association. Then click OK.

2. Ready Default File Associations in Settings

The best place to comprehensively change file associations and gear up default apps is through Settings.

To begin, press Windows key + I to open Settings. Go to Apps > Default apps.

Windows 10 default apps

Hither you tin set and use default apps for things similar email, maps, music, and so on. Click the application to select a different one from the listing.

You can click Reset to put everything back to "Microsoft recommended defaults." As y'all might expect, this means Microsoft-created Windows x default programs similar Groove Music for music and Border for web browsing.

Scroll down and yous volition see 3 options to have refined control over file associations:

  1. Choose default applications by file blazon
  2. Cull default applications by protocol
  3. Prepare defaults by app
Windows 10 choose default apps by file type

Choosing by file type lets you set up specific programs for JPG, Doctor, and then on. This is the option you near probable demand.

Choosing by protocol is for actions or links. For example, when encountering a URL:calculator link, you can set which program is used. The vast majority of these will exist pretty application specific anyway, so information technology's rare that you lot'll need to change them.

Finally, setting by app lets you manage an unabridged program and its associated file types and protocols from 1 place.

3. Delete File Associations in Command Prompt

It isn't possible to reset file associations through Settings. For that, you demand to utilize Command Prompt.

Printing Commencement, type cmd and it'll find Command Prompt. Right click the entry and click Run as administrator.

Command Prompt assoc

Type assoc, press Enter, and it'll bring upwards all file types and their associations.

To apace check a specific file type, input:

          assoc .ext

Supervene upon ext with the file type. For case, input assoc .jpg and y'all volition see what program opens JPG files.

To remove the association from the program, type:

          assoc .ext=

Again, replace ext. You can blazon the first command to double check it'southward worked, every bit you should see a "file association not found" error.

Back Upwardly and Restore File Type Associations

Windows 10 has been known to reset default apps by changing file type associations afterward every update. The best thing y'all can do to fix this is back up your file type associations and restore them one time you discover that a Windows x update has messed with them.

i. Using Default Programs Editor

The easiest method to back up and restore file type associations is by using a third-party utility called Default Programs Editor.

One time downloaded and installed, launch it and click Create or restore a backup of registry settings.

Default Programs Editor registry backup

Click Create a backup. It will process and add together an entry to the tabular array with the date and time.

When it's time to restore, return to this screen, click the entry, and click Restore selected backup. Finally, restart your estimator.

2. Using the Registry

You tin can also go straight into the registry to back up file type associations. Still, this is a scrap more complicated, and it tin sometimes issue in a permission error when restoring certain associations. As such, use it as a terminal resort.

Press Windows fundamental + R to open up Run. Enter regedit and hitting Enter to launch the Registry Editor. Now browse to the following cardinal:

          HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts

Right-click FileExts (or the sub-folder you want), select Export, and choose a destination and file name for your .reg file fill-in.

Export Registry Key

In one case y'all need to restore this backup, right-click the respective .reg file that you lot saved previously and select Merge. This volition overwrite the current settings in your registry and restore your previously backed up preferences.

Accept Full Control Over File Associations

With these methods you'll have full control over your file blazon associations, ensuring that all your files open in the most suitable program by default. Be wary when installing a new program every bit some of them volition request to become the default plan for a set of file types, and yous might not want that.

If you want to know more almost file types, bank check out how to know when to use which file format. And here'due south how to open HEIC files on Windows.

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Joe Keeley (868 Articles Published)

Joe was born with a keyboard in his hands and immediately started writing about technology. He has a BA (Hons) in Business and is now a full-time freelance writer who enjoys making tech simple for everyone.

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