Changing File Associations in Windows

Here is a quick and easy way to 'convince' MS Windows that it should open a file in the program you prefer and NOT the one it 'thinks' it should be ....

MORE...

MS Windows is configured so that files are associated with a 'default' program. For example a file with an extension of .txt (eg myfile.txt) will normally be 'associated' with notepad.exe which is a MS Windows text editor. This 'association' means that if you double click on myfile.txt to open it, Windows will open the file using notepad.exe.

Now you might prefer that it be opened with wordpad.exe (another MS Windows file editor with more features). You need to change the file association in Windows.

Here's how you do it -

1. Highlight the file (myfile.txt). To highlight a file you simply click on the icon or filename once.

2. Press and hold the 'Shift' key (bottom left hand side of the keyboard)

3. While holding down the 'Shift' key - put your cursor on the file icon or filename and click the RIGHT mouse button.

4. A popup menu appears - (you can release the 'Shift' key now)

5. From the popup menu select the 'Open with' option and another popup menu will appear.

6. Select the 'Choose program ...' option.

7. ANOTHER menu appears. From this menu you select the program you want to associate with that file type. eg select wordpad or your own favourite text editor.

8. If you want the association to be permanent then check (ie click on) the 'Always use the selected program to open this type of file' box that appears at the bottom of the menu. If you only want the association to apply this once only then leave the box unchecked.

9. Click 'OK' and the association is changed.


I hope this has helped you. I know it is a source of frustration for many people ... I have been asked a million times how to get Windows to open a file using a different program and now YOU know the secret ... File associations!

Its bye for now.


Terry

Author of 'Conquering Windows 98'
www.ConqueringWindows98.com

and

'Computerese ... make using your computer easy'
www.easyebooks.com/go/go.php/cese