Default Programs - Program Default Associations

How to Set Default Associations For a Program in Vista​

   Information

This will show you how to automatically or manually set the default associations for a program listed in Default Programs in Vista. These associations are the file extension types and protocols that the selected program can open by default.

These Default Programs association settings are a per user setting and not applied to all users.

Here's How:

1. Open the Control Panel (Classic View).​

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2. Click on the Default Programs icon.​

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3. Click on the Set your default programs link. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: It may take a moment to load up.​

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4. Select a Program in the List​

A) Click on the program name in the list, that you want to set the default file extension associations for, to highlight it. (See screenshot below step 6A)​

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5. To Automatically Set All of the Selected Program's Default Associations to it​

NOTE: To set all the default file extension associations for the program to open by default.​

A) Click on Set this program as default. (See screenshot below step 6A)​

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B) Click on OK to apply and close window.​

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6. To Manually Set the Selected Program's Default Associations to it​

NOTE: To only set the default file extension associations that you choose for the program to open by default.​

A) Click on Choose defaults for this program to manually choose the associations for this program. (See screenshot below)​

NOTE: It may take a moment to load up.​

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B) Check the file extension associations you want this program to open by default, and uncheck the ones you do not want this program to open. (See screenshot below)​

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C) Click on Save to apply.​

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D) Click on OK to close window. (See screenshot below step​

6A)​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Associate a Individual File Extension Type With a Program in Vista
• How to Add Back and Set Windows Mail Default Associations
• How to Unassociate a File Extension Type in Vista
• How to Add a Program to Open With in Vista
• How to Restore or Remove Internet Explorer from Default Programs
• Restore Default Vista File Extension Type Associations
• How to Remove a Listed Program in Default Programs for Windows 7 and Vista
• How to Change the Default Program of the "Edit" Context Menu in Windows

 

[Brink]

Hello Bill, and welcome to Vista Forums.

In order to be able to open a file with a certain file extension, you will need to have a program installed on your computer that supports reading/opening it as the default program. In this case, the free program TextMaker Viewer may be a good choice to use.

TextMaker Viewer 2008 - Free document viewer for .doc, .odt, .tmd, .rtf, and more

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Bill Weaver]

Shawn, much obliged. The textmaker viewer did the trick.
Thanks again.
Bill

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Bill.

Shawn

 

[Bill Weaver]

IF AN EMAIL HAS AN ATTACHMENT OF UNKNOWN ORIGIN AND SEZ IT CAN'T OPEN THE ATT. CREATE AN ASSOC IN THE CONTROL PANEL SET ASSOC.
HOW DO I DO THIS?

Bill Weaver

 

[Brink]

The first thing to do is find out what the file extension for the file is. From there, you will just need to google the file extension (ex: .doc) to see if you can find a good free program the supports reading or opening it and install it. You can also post here for recommendations. Installing the program usually will automatically assign the file extension as it's associated default program.

If you alread have a program installed that should read this file extension, then you can use these tutorials to help make them the default program with that file extension associated to it. For example, Notepad (C:\Windows\System32\notepad.exe)for the file extension .txt.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/69758-default-programs.html

and

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/83196-default-programs-program-default-associations.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Bill Weaver]

If the file sez, "unknown publisher" and "unknown file type", what then?
Thanks
Bill Weaver

 

[Brink]

Bill,

Unknown Publisher is a UAC Security Warning that asks you for permission before allowing a program without a certified digital signature to open or install. Without a signature, the program owner (company) cannot be verifed and is listed as unknown instead of the company name. For a detailed explanation about UAC and this, see: Understanding and Configuring User Account Control in Windows Vista


A unknown file type is a error message when you try to open or run a file with a file extension that does not have a program associated for it to open or run it with. These will usually be a file that you have downloaded or saved to your computer with a nothing but a blank white page for a icon.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Bill Weaver]

Thanks for the info. Now another one.
I have installed PowerrPoint Viewer '03 but it won't open powerpoint atts in my email. They say cannot open the att. Has no program etc., etc., etc..
Any Ideas?
Bill Weaver

 

[Brink]

Hi Bill,

The 2003 version of PowerPoint Viewer may not support the newer versions of PowerPoint files. You will need to install the latest 2007 version instead.

PowerPoint Viewer 2007 - Free software downloads and reviews - CNET Download.com

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Bill Weaver]

Shawn, I'm sorry I didn't mention it but I have downloaded the 2007 version and it didn't open the atts either!
Bill

 

[Brink]

Ok, in that case, give this link a try to see if it will let you afterwards.

Unable to open .PPS attachments directly from Windows Mail in Windows Vista

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Bill Weaver]

I get to the Registry Editor and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT shows up. Nothing else on the end of it.
No HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\powerpointviewer.show.11\shelf\show? I am next supposed to right click on "show" and click "rename". No can get there???
Where did I go wrong?
Bill

 

[Brink]

Bill,

PowerPoint Viewer 2007 will still need to be installed. You would click on the arrow to the left of HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT to expand it, then continue to click on the arrows for each key until you reach HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\powerpointviewer.show.11 , HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\powerpointviewer.show.11\shelf , and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\powerpointviewer.show.11\shelf\show . When you get to show, right click on it and click on Rename. Type Open and press Enter.

Do this for the both keys listed in that link for both the PPS and PPT file extensions.

Unable to open .PPS attachments directly from Windows Mail in Windows Vista

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Bill Weaver]

I can get to powerpoint viewer.show.11 on the registry editor and there it ends. What do I do next?
I'm sorry to be such a pain.

Update:
Shawn, I finally got it & the ppt opens fine now. I'm sorry for putting you through this but am also grateful.

Thanks for your help.
Bill Weaver

 

[Brink]

Your welcome Bill. It is no problem. I'm happy to hear that it opens now.

Shawn

 

[Bill Weaver]

I run Windows Vista Premium Home 64. I sometimes get emails with atts, or just the emails which have a blank picture with a small red x in the upper left hand corner. They won't open and say it does not have an assoc to open and to create an assos in the set assoc control panel. How do I do that?
Bill Weaver

 

[Brink]

Bill,

Depending on the file extention of the attached file, you will need to install the appropriate program that can open or run that file extension type.

 

[Bill Weaver]

OK, what is a file extension?
Sorry to be such a blockhead.
Bill

 

[Brink]

No problem Bill.

A file extension is the right part after the dot in a file name that identifies what type of file it is. For example, filename.txt for a text file. By default file extensions are hidden. This tutorial will show you how to unhide them, and help see what they are better.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/103171-file-name-extension.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[beanie2205]

thank you ,I was going nuts with this and noone could help.