file type Change back to "unknown application"

korchi · 15 Jan 2014

I was looking at the content of some .com-playback file types using the "open with" command and then selecting VLC player. Unfortunately I accidentally had the box ticked to open all files of this type with VLC from now on.

The files were originally designated as being opened with an "unknown application". I can set these files to be opened by default with any program, but as it is not on the list how do I change it back to open with "unknown application"?

And now the .com-playback file types cannot be opened again as it used to.

Any advice appreciated , thanks.

archer · 15 Jan 2014

Hi korchi, Welcome to Seven forums.

1. Click the "Start" button, type "cmd", and press "Enter" while holding the "Ctrl" and "Shift" buttons. This runs the Command Prompt as an Administrator.

2. Click "Continue" in the confirmation window. If you are not currently logged in as an administrator, enter the administrator password.

3. Type "assoc .EXT=" in the Command Prompt window, replacing "EXT" with the actual file extension. Press "Enter" to remove the file association.

Or you can try to make changes in registry. Only do this if you are comfortable with registry editing.

1. Click the "Start" button, type "regedit" and press "Enter" while holding the "Ctrl" and "Shift" keys.

2. Click "Continue" in the confirmation window, or type the administrator password, if requested.

3.Navigate to "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes" in the Registry Editor. Right-click the extension under "Classes," select "Delete" and click "Yes" in the confirmation window.

4. Navigate to "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExt." Right-click the extension under the "FileExt" folder in the left-hand pane, and select "Delete." Click "Yes" in the confirmation window.

5. Test that the association has been removed by double-clicking it from Windows Explorer. If it opens an associated program, then continue the procedure. If it asks you to choose a program, then the association has been removed.

6. Hold the "Ctrl" key and press "F" to search the Registry. Enter ".EXT", replacing "EXT" with the actual extension, and press "Enter." Right-click any folder from the right-hand pane that is named after that extension, and delete it. This step may be unnecessary, but some programs place additional entries in randomly named folders.

markaz · 04 Sep 2014

Just utilized the Registry method for removing a specific file association and restoring the "Opens with" association back to "unknown application". Thank you 9 months after posting this solution.

archer · 08 Sep 2014

You are most welcome. Glad I was able to help. :)

flatbush71 · 09 Jan 2015

Thank for the file assoc fix as well.

archer · 12 Jan 2015

You are most welcome flatbush71. :)

roxcer · 17 May 2015

I was downloading this .package file for a game but I accidently use "open with" command with some program which it wouldn't work for the game because it suppose to not use the "open with" command. I checked other file properties that are contain in the game such as .lock the "open with" command they use is 'window shell common' which its a original one. So I dont know how to change the .package file "open with" command to original one(window shell common). Help me

Hazem321 · 08 Jun 2015

I tried your way to get the file to work with unknown program but the problem that everything is working like that like when I run cmd, google chrome or any program it open with unknown program and by mistake I chosed windows media center
please help

Pyprohly · 09 Jun 2015

File Extension Type - Unassociate

Highly recommend OPTION THREE.

FredM8 · 10 Apr 2016

Thanks for this info for the reg edit method. Worked just fine !

file type Change back to "unknown application"

file type Change back to "unknown application"

Worked Just Fine !