Windows 7: "Always use selected program" - Always Checked or Unchecked

   Information

This will show you how to have the Always use the selected program to open this kind of file check box to always be checked or unchecked by default in the Open with dialog box in Windows 7 and Vista.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.

   Note

This option was found and created by Daniel Martín at the source website below:

How to display the "Open With" dialog box with the "Always associate this program" checkbox unchecked by default | The Hows and Whys of Windows

OPTION ONE

To Have "Always use selected program" Check Box Always Unchecked by Default

1. Go to the site below, or click on the Download button below, to download the MyOpenAs.zip file.

How to display the "Open With" dialog box with the "Always associate this program" checkbox unchecked by default | The Hows and Whys of Windows

OR

2. Click on Save, save the zip file to your desktop, and extract all (drag and drop) contents of the zip to your desktop. (see screenshot below)

3. Do either step 4 or 5 below depending on if you have 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit(x64) Windows 7 or Vista installed.

4. If you have 32-bit (x86) Windows 7 or Vista Installed

A) Open the extracted x86 folder from step 2, and copy and paste the MyOpenAs.dll file into the C:\Windows\System32 folder.

B) If prompted, click on Continue and Yes to approve pasting it into the C:\Windows\System32 folder.

C) Go to step 6.

5. If you have 64-bit (x64) Windows 7 or Vista Installed

A) Open the extracted x64 folder from step 2, and copy and paste the MyOpenAs.dll file into the C:\Windows\System32 folder.

B) If prompted, click on Continue and Yes to approve pasting it into the C:\Windows\System32 folder.

C) Go to step 6.

6. Right click on the extracted MyOpenAs.reg file from step 2, and click on Merge.

7. If prompted, click on Run, Yes (UAC-Windows 7) or Continue (UAC-Vista), Yes, and OK.

OPTION TWO

To Have "Always use selected program" Check Box Always Checked by Default

1. Go to the site below, or click on the Download button below, to download the MyOpenAs.zip file.

How to display the "Open With" dialog box with the "Always associate this program" checkbox unchecked by default | The Hows and Whys of Windows

OR

2. Click on Save, save the zip file to your desktop, and extract all (drag and drop) contents of the zip to your desktop. (see screenshot below)

3. Right click on the extracted MyOpenAs_RestoreDefaults.reg file from step 2, and click on Merge.

4. If prompted, click on Run, Yes (UAC-Windows 7) or Continue (UAC-Vista), Yes, and OK.

5. Open the C:\Windows\System32 folder in Windows Explorer, and delete the MyOpenAs.dll file. (see screenshot below)

6. If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes (Windows 7) or Continue (Vista) to approve deleting it.