Vista: Associate a File Type with a Specific Program

Contributor Icon Contributed by shamanstears Date Icon February 22, 2007  
Tag Icon Tagged: Microsoft Vista

Previous versions of Windows had an easy way of accessing a list of file types and what program they were associated with. Vista also allows you to do this, but it takes a little hunting before you can find it.


In Windows XP, you would click View and select Folder Options. From there you select the File Types tab.

In Vista, if you follow those same steps, you will notice that there is no File Types tab.

To access the Set Associations window, follow these steps:

1. Click the Start button.

2. Select Control Panel.

3. Select Programs.

4. Under Default Programs, select Make a file type always open in a specific program.

The Set Associations window will appear, allowing you to change what program a file type is associated with by selecting the file type and clicking the Change program button.

If you are only looking to change a single file type, simply right-click on a file and select Properties. Under the General tab, click the Change button to select the desired program.

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  • May
    Thanks, this so helpful to me :) Vista so different
  • I did this and I still can't see a psp file through Windows Explorer.
  • idgaf
    HOW DO U FIGURE OUT WHAT TYPE OF FREAKING FILE TYPE NEEDS TO BE ASSOCIATED OR WHATEVER WINDOWS IS LIKE REDIC EVEN IN VISTA IT HAPPENS SO OFTEN I CANT CLICK ON THINGS MY SIDEBAR SEARCH OPENS UP LIKE THE NEXT BUTTON TO PAGE TWO. ITS SO REDIC IT NEVER TELLS U WHAT ASSOCIATION. THEY SHOULD FIX THAT JEEZE. IM CLUELESS THERE IS LIKE HUNDREDS OR WHATEVER. HOW AM I SUPOSED TO KNOW? AND LIKE UNKNOWN PROGRAM? WTF! OKAY. DOES THAT MEAN NO PROGRAM? CAUSE LIKE IF SO... IT SHOULD SAY NO ASSOCIATION. IM NOT GONNA SCROLL THREW SO MANEEE AND LIKE FIGURE OUT WELL IT HAS TO BE ONE OF THESE 60 OR SO EXT WITH "UNKNOWN PROGRAM"\

    ITS NOT GONNA GET ME ANYWHERE. WHERE ARE THE FREAKING HELPSITES SEARCH COMES UP WITH LIKE NOTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!im so angry.
  • You can look up the file extension at http://filext.com/ and find out what kind of file it is and what program is needed to use the file.
  • nick
    omg that was totally helpful!!! thanx u whoever wrote thsi!!!
  • Glenny
    4 some reason i can't find .exe and now i can't run any programs! does n e 1 know what it might b under! Thanks
  • Ted
    Don't know what version of Vista you are using, but in Control Panel, all I see is "Programs and Features" and their is no "Default Programs" option there.
  • Kate L
    Same here. I'm using 64-bit Vista Home edition.
  • Kate L
    Found it. In Control Panel, instead of clicking "Programs and Features," look for "Default Programs." Intuitively you'd think both features would be in one place, but this is Microsoft.
  • fook ayoo
    this only works if the filetype is already associated, or recognized by the system, if it's not, you are shit out of luck unless you are a registry editing guru. Do yourself a favor, and " UPGRADE " to windows XP, or Linux, and wait for windows 7 to come out of beta. Vista == the New WinME
  • cheechandchong
    how do u make a association for assaultcube when i try to open it it says i have to make a association for it and i dont know how to do it
  • mickey
    i can not open attachments send to my email.
    i have followed all the steps suggested but get lost at last step, i have no idea what file type to choose and what to change it to.help!
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