How to change file associations in Windows XP

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In Windows XP, you can have files with certain file name extensions opened in a particular program of your choice.


How to change file associations

A user may prefer to change the association of a file name extension from one program to another. In this case, you have to turn on ‘See All File Extensions” first. To do so -

• Go to the Tools menu in My Computer
• Click Folder Options
• Click the View Tab and deselect the “Hide extensions for known file types” check box

This will show the extensions of all files in your PC. Now to Change file association, follow the following steps:

• Right-click the file of which you want to change the file association and click open with
• Click the preferred program in the open with dialog box or just browse to locate the program.
• Select the check box Always use the selected program to open this kind of file
• And you are done.

For unassociated file types

• Try to Double click a file without an extension. You’ll see a dialog box which gives you two choices (Use the Web service/Select a program from a list).
• Pick “Select the program from a list”
• Another window will appear, Select Always use the selected program to open this kind of file.
• The file will now be associated with your chosen program.