Comments on: Add Or Remove File Type Associations In Windows Vista

By: Payne

Payne — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:13:37 +0000

Hi I have trouble opening programs on my computer because I deleted registry files to get a virus off my pc. Everytime I try to open a program it says
"This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Create an association in the Set Association control panel".
I tried to do as said above but it does not work. It will only let me change the file.
Any help would be appreciated.

By: Payne

Payne — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 02:12:57 +0000

By: MattF

MattF — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 01:02:33 +0000

I believe JackieKu is correct. There seem to be, inexplicably, TWO association mechanisms, independent of one another.

Although the command line "solution", when executed, seems as though it will work… it does not.

The solution I have found is to associate the filetype with some program that you are willing/ready to uninstall.

1. Find some stupid program sitting on your computer. You know, one of those ones that you ask yourself, "Now, why did I choose to install this? It's poorly written and totally useless."

2. goto: Start > Default Programs > Associate a File Type or Protocol with a Program.

3. Choose the filetype for which you're trying to delete all associations. Associate that filetype with the crappy program you're willing to uninstall.

4. Uninstall the crappy program.

5. Voila! The filetype is now unassociated.

By: JackieKu

JackieKu — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 11:04:07 +0000

Vista support old association mechanism as well as the new mechanism described in this page. The command "assoc" only support old one. If the an association exists in the new association mechanism, "assoc" can not do anything.

By: Arno

Arno — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 12:23:26 +0000

Easy way, in Vista:
Start > Run > type 'cmd'.
type 'assoc .ext=' and the filetype is removed!

Example:
c:\assoc .doc=

By: Melissa Tan

Melissa Tan — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:37:26 +0000

i have a .004 file type .and i want to change it to unknown application .but when i open the unassoc. thing, it indicate that the .004 file type didnt exist .but it can be seen in my control panel .help please .thanks .

By: Raphael

Raphael — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 20:17:30 +0000

It worked!!! Thanks!!!

By: John Healer

John Healer — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 11:55:58 +0000

Mike, to rebuild this will take a long time and many mistakes. Backup all your working files, documents etc., if you value your email and addresses, back them up too – you might have to read up how to do that.
Please refer to Microsoft website for details as to how to do each option.
1. First thing to do is to try a recovery install –
if this doesn't work, then a re-install is in order
2. Get the install CD's and reinstall windows on your computer – check that you have all the install media not just for windows, but also your application programs too.
If you are game, now is the time to install Linux – ubuntu is a great one to start with – get onto a working computer and download it from the net, burn the cd and follow the instructions. It comes with 20,000+ programs (some on the CD – others through a add/remove menu item.

Cheers, and good luck!

By: Lui

Lui — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 12:47:45 +0000

To remove a FIle assaciation just use the command line:

C:\Windows\system32>assoc /?
Displays or modifies file extension associations

ASSOC [.ext[=[fileType]]]

.ext Specifies the file extension to associate the file type with
fileType Specifies the file type to associate with the file extension

Type ASSOC without parameters to display the current file associations.
If ASSOC is invoked with just a file extension, it displays the current
file association for that file extension. Specify nothing for the file
type and the command will delete the association for the file extension.

_______________________ EXAMPLE _______________________

C:\Windows\system32>assoc .bin //shows the association for .bin extension
.bin=testapp.exe

C:\Windows\system32>assoc .bin= //removes the association for .bin extension

C:\Windows\system32>assoc .bin // shows association for .bin extension
File association not found for extension .bin

C:\Windows\system32>

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:57:08 +0000

As a follow up, I used this procedure to associate a .jnlp file type (not listed in the registry nor the "Set Associations" dialog box) with the Java Web Start Launcher, on Windows Vista Ultimate.

By: Steve

Steve — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 02:42:30 +0000

To add a file type, start with right clicking the "unassociated" file you want to be opened, click open or open with and browse for the program you wish to be associated with the file type, tick the box that states "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file", click OK. The file type is now listed. All done.

By: Watching The Net

Watching The Net — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 11:04:34 +0000

@LongBodie

Thanks for catching that dead link! I have updated the article.

By: LongBodie

LongBodie — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 01:38:03 +0000

http://www.winhelponline.com/utils/unassoc_1_3.zip

this link die !

reup it please !

By: mike

mike — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:15:53 +0000

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

By: Watching The Net

Watching The Net — Sat, 02 Feb 2008 13:57:39 +0000

@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