Windows 7 - Default Programs

I was wondering if anyone has experienced a problem I have with windows 7 forgetting some of its default programs ?

Heres the problem. Upon bootup I open windows explorer, attempt to open a text file. File will not open until I go to default programs and select the program that is used to open text file, (notepad for instance). Once I reset the default program, the text file will open. I have to repeat this process every time I reboot.

For some reason. Windows 7 loses track of some, but not all of its default program links. Some of specfic types of files I am having problems with are: Text, (.txt), PDF (.pdf), Windows media (.wmv) and a few others.

Anyone have a solution, I would appreciate some help. This is a very annoying issue.

If I'm correct this information is stored in your Syustem Registry and it sounds like it may be corrupted.

1. If the computer shuts down and starts up properly try this FREE program CCleaner. It is a good reliable program that does two things.
One it cleans off the junk files on your computer. Very handy
Two it has a great Registry cleaner that checks registry for error and or problems.
I trust it totally and have been using it for over a year now

Link
CCleaner - Download

Hello Xnodak,

You might try the downloads in the tutorial below for the file extensions that you are having these problems with. It will restore all of the file extension's default associations. Hopefully you will not have to keep doing this after each reboot afterwards.

Default File Type Associations - Restore

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Gentlemen: I appreciate your suggestions. I have tried both solutions many times without any success of fixing the problem. Further explanation of the problem. I do not have an issue selecting an assigning a default program for .txt files for instance, (one example). What I have a problem with is that windows will not keep track of that default assignment. Once I assign Notepad as the dfault for .txt files, it functions properly until the next time I reboot. Then I have to go through the process again of assigning notepad to open .txt files before I can read them. Having to do this everytime I reboot is very annoying, almost driving me to the point of reloading windows 7, which I really don't want to do.

Not all, only of few types of files are affected, .txt, pdf,.wmv to name a few.

Thank you

Xnodak,

You might see if doing a repair install may be able to fix this to try and avoid a clean reinstall.

I am having the same issue. I have files converted to .mkv formats. I use VLC to watch them. Everytime I reboot the computer, it reverts back to using Winamp as the default. A fix to this would save a lot of hassle!

Now, I don't have Winamp installed on my PC, but there should be an option somewhere in winamp options under file types, uncheck all video file types, or some of them ( I suppose you are not watching videos with Winamp), see will that help
cheers

Brink:

I have considered that option but the problem with the repair funiction is that it sets windows back to the default settings, wiping out all the tweaks that are installed, almost as bad as a total reinstall.

Thanks for your suggestion, I still have it under consideration.

The problem your having related to winamp is most likely that you whave the Winamp Agent option activated. When this option is activated, Winamp will reset all of the file types that you have checked in the preferences that you want Winamp to play whenever you restart Winamp. Disabling Winamp Agent should fix the problem your having.

Update on my problem with default program issues. Further research into this issue I have determined that Windows 7 is not my problem, "Windows Explorer" is my problem. Checking the registar settings for the file types I'm having problems with, i have determined that all setings in Windows 7 are correct. Therefore I installed an alterenate file manager "xplorer2" for the purpose of testing my issues. All of the file types I am having difficluty with open correctly in xplorer2. consequently it appears that my issue is related to "Windows Explorer" rather the Windows 7 operating system. Further research is to follow.