Solved Add a program to the list of Default Programs?

LarryE1946 · May 15, 2009

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

Charles Kane · May 16, 2009

workaround

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.

LarryE1946 · May 16, 2009

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.

nimat7 · Jan 21, 2010

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 ?!

sergiogarcia9 · May 2, 2010

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

CassieFWinTeam · May 2, 2010

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

sergiogarcia9 · May 2, 2010

CassieFWinTeam said:
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)

iansalcedo · May 11, 2010

Hi,

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-

kkelln · May 21, 2010

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!

Bill2 · May 21, 2010

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.

Home | Default Programs Editor

jafergusonuk · May 27, 2010

I have recently upgraded to Photoshop CS5 and wanted it to open jpg files. However whatever I try and I have tries ALL of the above NOTHING will enable it to associate with jpg. It is not registered as a default program and steadfastly refuses (in spite of numerous reinstalls) to enable it to register or associate with jpg. So I reckon some registry hack is needed but I am not sufficiently knowledgable to do it. Any help appreciated.

kucing13 · May 27, 2010

have you tried right click on any jpeg,set to open with PS CS5 ?

vindu · Jun 12, 2010

Adding a program to the list of Default Programs

As a reply to thread starter's wish to add a program to the list of Default Programs, please have a look at my blogposts here:

I hope this may be of help for someone out there

willmass · Apr 25, 2011

The default program editor worked great and resolved my problem....Thanks

Faeldihn · May 5, 2011

Once my exe is compiled, even with this DefaultProgramsEditor.exe of yours, there's no [add application] allowing registration of a custom made program available.

The question remains.

How to add a custom made exe from any path in Win7's default progs list?

Edit : I was expecting some [add to default apps] flag in advanced file properties for executable files or some logical trick of this kind... or the simple ability to select any executable with any path from the "Open With" dialog. Playing with registry is much of a hazardous way to make it, even if it has solved my problem for now. We shouldn't have to.

Brink · May 5, 2011

In addition to the above, you could use the program in METHOD TWO of the tutorial below to easily add a program to the "Open With" list.

Open With - Add Program - Vista Forums

Hope this helps,
Shawn

artinusa · Jul 7, 2011

Bill2 Thanks Great program and places entry into registry if you need it to...

dscribe2 · Aug 24, 2011

Thanks Bill2. Tried this but it won't add programs to the "Set your default programs " list
Kind regards dscribe2

Imperfect1 · Aug 24, 2011

nimat7 said:
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 ?!

For RealPlayer there is a work-around to make it your 'default' media player. Open RealPlayer, in the upper-left corner of the top toolbar, click on the down arrow, click on Preferences, then Content, Media Type, and select: Make RealPlayer My Universal Media Player.

dscribe2 · Aug 24, 2011

G'day Imperfect1,
Good answer - you can also go to the Tools menu, select Preferences, Content, media type and the "Make Real Player my Universal Media Player" option. Sometimes I need to re-do this when a new upgrade for ...... is installed and the new upgraded program high-jacks the system. It's pretty easy IF you remember what to do.
Regards dscribe1

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