How to associate a file with a program in Windows XP

Association of a file with a program can be changed when a new application or software is being installed on a system that’s why it is helpful to have a step by step guide about how to fix this problem whenever it occurs.

Here are the steps you should follow whenever want to associate a file with a particular program:

1.    Open Windows Explorer and the folder under which your file is located.

2.    Right click on your file, go to Open With and in case you will find the desired Program in the navigation, then click on it otherwise you will have the option to Choose Program… in the bottom of the navigation.

3.    After Choose Program… a window will open in which you will find two categories of application lists you can choose from: Recommended Programs and Other Programs. These two lists contain the most common programs used on your computer.

4.    In case you still can not find the program you want your file to be associated with, there is a Browse button which helps you navigate to the location and executable file of the application you want your file to be associated with.

5.    In order not to repeat this steps all the time, you can select the following option: “Always use the selected program to open this kind of file” regardless of the location of such files, they will always be opened with the newly selected and associated program.

In case the program is missing from your PC, Windows offers the option to look for an appropriate program on the Web.

How to add, modify or delete a file type:

For this you can use the Tools menu in Windows Explorer, then Folder Options and selecting the File Types tab in the small window. Here all registered file types will be listed and you can create new file extension by hitting the New button. To remove or delete a file type all you have to do is to select from the list and hit the Delete button. Modifying file type properties, you will have to use the Advanced button positioned in the bottom section of this window. You can change the icon of the file extension as well as edit the actions of the file type.