Restore File Association in Windows
If for some reason you lost file association in Windows due to program installation/uninstallation or Windows registry error, there is a quick and easy way to restore it. Each file extension like .txt, .bmp, .jpg, .mp3, .wav, .php, .exe, etc is associated with particular program that Windows pulls from a Registry and runs program to open the file. If that link is broken then you would get message like:
“Windows cannot open this file”
File: Picture.jpg (this is just example)
To open this file, Windows needs to know what program created it. Winnows can go online to look it up automatically, or you can manually select from a list of programs on your computer.
What do you want to do?
- Use the Web service to find the appropriate program
- Select the program from a list
OK Cancel
How to fix File Association in Windows XP:
- Open “My Computer” by double clicking it
- Then on a toolbar click on “Tools”, “Folder Options…”
- Select “File Types” tab
- You now see all associated file extension for registered file types:
- Pick file extension that you need to associate with another program and click on change.
In the same window you can create or delete file extensions and the programs associated with them.
You can also use one of ParetoLogic products to organize and clean up your file extension issue. FileCure scans your Windows registry to determine which formats your existing software supports. If you don’t have the correct software on your computer, FileCure will suggest and locate programs that you can download to open those specific file types.
