How to Set a Default Program for a Particular File Type in Windows 7 ?

As a by default Windows is assigned specific applications to certain types of files. For instance music files initially play in Windows Media Player and webpage files will open in Internet Explorer. These are known as default programs. www.office.com/setup

Assigning a default program

You can modify the default software for web browsing, media streaming emails, and other functions of your computer using these steps:

  • Click the Start (bottom-left the screen, as default).
  • Select Default Programs on the right side.
  • Select Set your default programs.

The window opens you will be able to select the program that performs specific actions on your computer automatically. By selecting Set this program as default will allow all types of files the program is able to read to be run on it. By selecting Choose defaults for this application allows the user to choose the types of files that will run in the application and which to not. In reality, this is beneficial if you wish to play a certain type of music file with one application (e.g. *.mp3 files within iTunes) as well as another kind of music file in a different application (e.g. *.wma file inside Windows Media Player).

Associating certain kinds of files with a preferred program

If you want to have more control over their software You can associate manually any file type that your computer can identify with a particular program:

  • Go to Start.
  • Select Default Programs.
  • Choose to associate a particular file type or protocol to a program.
  • Choose the type of file or protocol you'd like to edit.
  • Choose the button to change Program (at at the very top right corner of this window).
  • Choose the program you wish to be to be associated with:
  • Choose an option from the list.
  • Click Other Programs for additional possibilities.
  • Click Browse to see if the program you're looking for isn't listed and then navigate through the .exe file for the desired program. Click Open.
  • Click OK.

Associating unidentified file types

If you encounter an unidentified file type recognized by Windows (or one which hasn't been assigned to an standard program) you are able to associate it to any other program as long as it's capable of comprehending it:

  • Right-click the file you do not recognize and then select Open.
  • If the file is of the extension (e.g.*.xzy) A window will open asking you to choose what you'd like to do.
  • Click the radio button, next to select a program from a list of programs that are installed and select OK.
  • If the file you are trying to open does not include an extension You will be taken to the Open and display immediately.
  • In this window, you can choose an option from the options or select Browse to select an alternative program.
  • If you would like the file to run by default in this program select the checkbox next to Use the chosen program to open this type of file.
  • If it is a temporary circumstance, you can uncheck that box.

This last option could be utilized as a shortcut to files you recognize but want to run in a different application. If this is the case, selecting Open with will show an array of available programs. By selecting Choose Default Program will direct you to the Open with window. Selecting a program in this manner will allow you to associate the selected file type to the selected program. 

This guide can aid users in personalizing the behavior of programs and files on their PCs and solve problems that are not recognized or known to file types. office.com/myaccount

 

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