Change File Association In Windows XP

When you double-click a file to open it, Windows XP examines the file name extension. If Windows XP recognizes the file name extension, it opens the file in the program that is associated with that file name extension.


However, you can change the program that is associated with recognized file name extensions so that Windows XP opens all files that have this extension in the new associated program.


To display file name extensions


Depending on your settings, the file name extensions of your files may not be visible. To display the file name extensions of your files if they are not visible, follow these steps:


1. Open My Computer or Windows Explorer.


2. On the Tools menu--> click Folder Options.


3. Click the View tab.


4. In the Advanced settings box--> click to clear the Hide extensions for known file types check box.


5. Click OK.


Important:


1. You cannot use this method for a file that does not have a file name extension, or for a file that has an (.exe, .com, or .bat extension).


2. If you change the program that Windows uses to open a certain kind of file, and that program was not designed for the type of data in that file, the files may not appear correctly in the program. To be safe, note the name of the program that Windows previously used to open the file type so that you can reverse your settings if it is necessary.

To change which program starts when you double-click a file, follow the steps below:


1. Open Windows Explorer by right-clicking the Start button--> and then click Explore.


2. Click a folder that contains a file of the type that you want Windows to open in a program that you select.


3. Right-click the file and--> depending on the programs installed on your computer--> complete one of the following steps:
a. Click Open With to choose the program that you want.


b. Point to Open With--> and then click Choose Program to choose the program that you want.


4. The Open With dialog box is displayed--> Use one of the following methods to select the program that you want to use for this file type:


a. In the Programs list--> click the program that you want to use.


OR


b. Click Browse--> locate and then click the program that you want to use--> and then click Open.


c. Click--> Look for the appropriate program on the Web, to browse the Internet for the program that you want to use.


5. Click to select the Always use the selected program to open this kind of file check box if it is not selected.


6. Click OK.


To create file associations for unassociated file types


If you receive a message that Windows needs to know what program you want to use to open a file, follow these steps to create an association between the unknown file name extension and a program that will open it:


1. Right-click a file that has the extension that you want to associate with a program on your computer--> and then click Open.


Note: If the Open command is not available--> click Open With or double-click the file.


2. Windows XP displays a dialog box that says--> Windows cannot open this file--> The dialog box offers two options for selecting a program:


a. Use the Web service to find the appropriate program


b. Select the program from a list


Unless you want to find and download software that opens this file type, the best choice is to select the program from a list.


3. Click Select the program from a list--> and then click OK.


4. The Open With dialog box is displayed.


a. In the Programs list--> click the program that you want.


OR


b. Click Browse--> locate and then click the program that you want to use--> and then click Open.


c. Click Look for the appropriate program on the Web to browse the Internet for the program that you want.


5. Click to select the Always use the selected program to open this kind of file check box if it is not selected.


6. Click OK.