How to associate a file with a program in Windows

Updated: 12/30/2021 by Computer Hope

Past default, Windows chooses a plan to open files. Any time a program changes a file association, you tin can re-associate the file back to another plan of your choice. You can besides change the default file association in Windows to open all files of a specific type or file extension with the aforementioned program.

Select a link below for information on how to change the programs used to open files in Microsoft Windows.

Acquaintance i file with a specific program

To change the program associated with a specific file, follow the steps below.

  1. Open My Computer or Explorer.
  1. Right-click the file y'all want to modify the file association and click Properties.
  2. In the file Backdrop, click the Change button next to the "Opens with" selection. After clicking Change, yous'll be given a list of programs to open the file. Select the program you want to utilize, click Employ, and and so OK. If the programme y'all want to use is not listed, click the Browse button, find the program's executable (.exe) file on the computer, and click OK to select that program.

File Properties

Note

If the program you choose is not compatible with the file type, you run across garbage or get an mistake when opening the file. If this happens, try changing the file to open with a different program.

Change file association for all files of a specific blazon

To change the file clan for all files of a specific type, select your version of Windows beneath and follow the steps.

  • Windows xi
  • Windows x
  • Windows Vista, 7, and 8
  • Windows 2000 and XP
  • Windows 95, 98, and ME

Windows 11

  1. Open the Control Console.
  2. In the Control Panel, click the Default Programs option.
  3. Click the Associate a file blazon or protocol with a program option.
  4. In the Default apps window, scroll to the lesser and select Cull defaults by file type.
  5. Find the file blazon that interests you.
  6. Click the current default program or Cull a default option below the file blazon.

Change default program by file type in Windows 11

  1. In the How practice you lot want to open pop-up window, select the plan you want to acquaintance to that file blazon.

Select default program by file type in Windows 11

Windows ten

  1. Open the Control Console.
  2. In Control Console, search for Default Programs and click the icon.
  3. Click the Associate a file type or protocol with a program option.
  4. In the Default apps window, scroll to the bottom and click the Choose default apps past file type selection.
  5. Under the Name column, locate the file extension you lot desire to modify.
  6. Under the Default app column, click the name of the currently selected default program.
  7. In the Cull an app pop-up window, select the plan you lot want to associate to that file type.

Windows Vista, seven, and 8

  1. Open the Command Panel.
  2. In Control Panel, search for Default Programs and click the icon.
  3. Click the Associate a file type or protocol with a program selection.

Alter the actions of a file type

  • Locate the file extension y'all want to modify and highlight information technology.
  • Click the Change program button.
  • Select the program you want to associate, open the file extension, and click OK. If the programme you want to select is not listed, click the Browse push, find the program'south executable (.exe) file on the computer, and click OK to select that plan.

Windows 2000 and XP

  1. Open up My Computer or Explorer.
  2. Click the Tools in the file menu and so click Folder Options.
  3. Click the File types tab.

Calculation a new file blazon

  • Click the New button.
  • Type the proper noun of the file extension.
  • Click OK.

Alter the actions of a file type

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

Removing a file blazon

  • Locate the file extension yous want to remove and highlight information technology.
  • Click the Delete button.

Windows 95, 98, and ME

  1. Open up My Computer or Explorer.
  2. Click the View in the file carte du jour and Folder Options.
  3. Click the File types tab.

Adding a new file type

  • Click the New blazon button.
  • Type the associated extension and the description and actions of the file.

Modifying the actions of a file type

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

Removing a file type

  • Locate the file extension y'all want to remove and highlight it.
  • Click the Remove push.