Add Or Remove File Type Associations In Windows Vista
Back in the good old days with Windows XP, things were a little easier with performing simple tasks. One that comes to mind is file types. With XP you can easily associate and unassociate file types to a program or application, from the Control Panel or by selecting: Tools \ Folder Options on the menu of a folder.
With Vista, for some unknown reason, you can only associate file types, but you can not unassociate (delete) a file type completely. The only option allowed is to associate the file to another program or application. Until now…
First, let's look at two ways to find where File Type Associations lives in Vista. The easiest way is from the Start Menu, by clicking on Start \ Default Programs.
Then click on Associate a file type or protocol with a program.
The second way is from the Control Panel by clicking on Start \ Control Panel \ Programs then clicking on Make a file type always open in a specific program (under Default Programs).
Once you have accessed the window for file type association, you can easily associate (add) or change (modify) an existing file type, by highlighting a file type, then clicking on the Change Program… button.
NOTE: You will need to click the small down arrow 
to see the list of Other Programs.
To remove (delete) a file type association, you can use a great utility found on winhelponline.com to unassociate file types.
Just download, unzipp and click on Unassoc.exe. No install is required.
To use, just find the file type you want to delete and click on the Remove file association button. The file type association will be deleted from the registry. Vista will then treat it as an unknown file type.
Now, the only functionality missing with File types in Vista, compared to XP, is the capability to change icons and create a new file type. If you come across how to do this, let us know!
Filed under Windows Vista Tips by Watching The Net
Comments on Add Or Remove File Type Associations In Windows Vista »
The problem: I want to open an MS Word file that is an attachment to an incoming message. If I first save it to the disk MS Word opens it (double click). But I cannot open it while it is still attached, its type .doc (or .DOC ) is not recognized from within Windows Mail.
What's wrong?
@Isaac Lef
Give this a try:
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/232/1/
No, it didn't work for me. Word self-repair did not help either. :-(((
"Now, the only functionality missing with File types in Vista, compared to XP, is the capability to change icons and create a new file type. If you come across how to do this, let us know!"
With a (other) external program, this can be done easily.
Check FileTypeAssoc Editor: http://www.angelfire.com/biz/rhaminisys/fileasoc.html
FileTypeAssoc Editor + Unassoc = Complete filetype edition like in XP
PS : Unassoc.zip is now in version 1.3, so the link is broken… (check http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/231/1/ )
@Antwan
Thanks for catching that. I have updated the link for downloading the utility.
Annoying you have to use 3rdparty program to remove file associations. Was the Microsoft programmers in such hurry that they forgot to add an "remove" button? Or is there an new "Ultimate Pro" edition that has "now inkluded" file association removal funksjon!!?
Hi,
I have tried both methods several times, the small box at the lower left that says "check here to all ways use this program open to open the selected file type" is always grey and in-accessable, …. dead.
Yes, the program appears in the window, and I can select it and it will open the file, but, only this once, next time same procedure.
The file extension is "*.PPS", the program I want to associate with this is simpress.exe from Open Office Suite. (Open source code software from OpenOffice.org).
I am using Vista - home version. Please don't tell me I have to buy the an upgrade just to get a stupid button to function, …. next I'll be looking for Linux
Thanks for any comment or help
Bill
@Bill Geneau
I have yet to find a solution for the greyed out link also.
The only method I found to work is to delete the existing association using the following utility:
http://www.winhelponline.com/utils/unassoc_1_3.zip
then associate the extension to the program I want it to open. Not the best method but it works.
If you do make the move to Linux, make sure you check out our Ubuntu Guide for Windows Users series - http://www.watchingthenet.com/category/ubuntu-tips
My problem is so extensive I don't know where to begin. Everything I try to open will not open, instead a box comes up that says "This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Set Associations control panel". I have found this "Associate a file type" in the control panel, with the extensions on the left side, but did not come across the .exe extension there (which, I believe is the extension i need to associate). I can get on the internet by clicking control/alt/delete, going to File and Start new task. That is the only way I can get Run to work. I can't get into my registry. I am running Vista Ultimate on a Toshiba laptop. Any suggestions at this pointwuld be appreciated
http://www.winhelponline.com/utils/unassoc_1_3.zip
this link die !
reup it please !
@LongBodie
Thanks for catching that dead link! I have updated the article.