How do I restore the default file associations in Windows 7?
Table of Contents
1. Go to Control Panel > Default programs and select Associate a file type or protocol with a program. 2. From the list of file extensions, select the extension that you want to change the default program to open with and then click Change program.
How do I add file associations in Windows 7?
Here are the steps:

- Go to the Control Panel (or my favorite, hit your Windows Key and type “Cont” and the Control Panel link appears)
- Go to Default Programs (or again, skip step 1 and go Windows Key, then type “Defau” and the Default Program link appears.)
- Select “Associate a file type or protocol with a program“
How do I change a file type in Windows 7?
In Windows 7, to change a file extension, first, make sure file extensions are visible using the steps above, then:
- Click the file to select it, then click once more.
- Click and drag over the extension, type the new extension and press Enter.
How do I reset Default Apps in Windows 7?
Changing File Associations in Windows 7 (Default Programs)

- Open Default Programs by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Default Programs.
- Click Associate a file type or protocol with a program.
- Click the file type or protocol that you want the program to act as the default for.
- Click Change program.
How do I change the default program for a file type?
Change default programs in Windows
- Select Start > Settings > Apps > Default apps.
- To change the default app, you can do either of the following: Set a default for a file type or link type. In the search bar, enter the file type or link type you want, then select it from the list of results.
How do I reset Default apps in Windows 7?
How do I associate a file with a program in Windows?
In Control Panel, search for Default Programs and open the icon. Click the Associate a file type or protocol with a program option. Locate the file extension you want to modify and highlight it. Click the Change program button. Select the program you want to associate and open the file extension and click OK.
Why can’t I associate a file extension to an application?
You may not be able to associate a file extension to an application in Windows 7. This may occur if the program you are attempting to associate with is not registered correctly. Follow the steps below:
How do I change the default file association in Windows Vista?
Changing file association in Windows Vista, 7, 8, and 10 Open the Control Panel. In Control Panel, search for Default Programs and open the icon. Click the Associate a file type or protocol with a program option.
Why am I unable to associate with a program?
This may occur if the program you are attempting to associate with is not registered correctly. Follow the steps below: Type regedit in the Run line or from an elevated CMD prompt.