Windows 7 - Add a program to the list of Default Programs?

How do you add a program to the list of Default Programs in Windows 7? For example Microsoft Office PowerPoint Viewer 2007. It doesn't show in the list

I suspect there isn't a straightforward way of doing this, still, I find the default programs that Windows finds rather odd. eg my list showed ImgBurn (my favorite CD/DVD/BR and image burner) as soon as it was installed. It needed a reboot to find Windows Live Photo Gallery after it was installed but will not show FastStone Image Viewer - which is why I came here.

I tried ensuring that Program Access and Defaults included non-microsoft (I had it set on custom) - but that doesn't help (tho I would recommend it)

So I used tried and true - in Explorer right click on file -> open with (or Open if it's an unknown file type) -> Choose Default Program -> Select the preferred program from the Recommended Programs or drop down the Other Programs List or Browse to the desired .exe. Make sure you have "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file" box ticked.

Done. (There's another pretty obvious way of doing this but this is the most user friendly). Obvious disadvantage - you must do it for each file type.

Doesn't asnswer the question which I therefore

BUMP

I'd really like to see a way to add to the default program list.

Thanks for that info. Only thing is, I tried your suggestion of the "open with" but that never appeared on my context menu as an option, which is why I posted the question here. I thought that Windows 7 had gotten rid of that "open with" option.

Maybe someone else will come along with an "easier" way.

Again, thanks for your help and advice. I appreciate it.

i got that problem too ... i wanna make real player my default player but its not even in the list ...
where can u add it to the list of default programs in control panel, hmm ?!

Anyone ever find a solution for this? I'm having a problem with Messenger not showing in my programs list, all though it is installed

Hi There,

Watch this quick demo to learn how to change your default programs in Windows 7 - Change which programs Windows uses by default.

This should do the trick, but if not let me know!

Cheers,
Cassandra
Microsoft Windows Outreach

Hi Cassandra
No that aint what i mean
I mean, that WLM does not show up inside the programs (in control panel) as it should. And, the "Windows Live Essentials" in there refuses to open when i select uninstall. (refuses to open the uninstallation)

In order to change the default program, you need to know the file type. For example, .mp3 or .wav, or .docx.

Instead of going to "set your default programs" , go to "associate a file type or protocol with a program. Click on the file extension and just click change program.

Hope this helps,

-Ian-

Hi Cassandra. I watched the video and it is a good tutorial but...

Hi; I am trying to figure out how to get other programs to show up in the list of programs. When I go to the DEFAULT PROGRAMS aplet and select SET YOUR DEFAULT PROGRAMS, the left hand frame include several programs which I can set as my default app for all associated files. My question is How do I add programs to this list? Why do some programs show up on it and not others. My computer shows POWER DVD but not Nero, it shows MS Paint but not Corel Photo or Adobe Photoshop. It shows itunes but not Realplayer. What the heck is going on here?!?
THANKS!

This problem is due to the fact that the program has not registered itself on installation. A program typically registers itself on installation by means of a new entry in the system registry. It is possible to manually include registry entries provided you know what and where.

See if this freeware program is of any help. It was supposed to be originally featured on GHacks.

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