Tool needed to place entries in the Set Default Programs

Caipirinha · 12 Aug 2011

Developers can do this why can't end users.

There are endless queries on the Internet about how to set the default email client to something other than Outlook or Windows Live. Got me to thinking there must be some app or instruction on how to manually place an entry in the Windows 7 Set Default Programs utility, since software developers can do it for apps like Skype, WinRar, PotPlayer, etc. If anybody has run across such a tool, let the community here know.

Tried this one; it doesn't make brand new entries to the default programs list; so the search continues....

dscribe2 · 23 Aug 2011

Having the same problem. I want to add MS Word to the list of default programs but there doesn't seem to be a way as yet.

Brink · 23 Aug 2011

Hello Caipirinha and dscribe2, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Would adding the program to Open with work as a workaround instead. This way you could just right click on the file, click on Open with and select the program to open it with.

Open with - Add Program

How to Change the Default Program a File Type Opens with in Windows 7

How to Clean Up and Remove Programs from the "Open with" Context Menu

Hope this helps,
Shawn

dscribe2 · 24 Aug 2011

Thanks Brink,
I can't open docx files from my email program even though I have nominated Word as the default via "Associate a file type" in Control Panel. When I try to use "Set your default Programs" in Control Panel Word doesn't come up as an alternative. I want to put it in this area but after trying several ways I Googled it still won't show.

Brink · 24 Aug 2011

dscribe2,

See if you are able to open the docx file if you save the docx file to your desktop first, then open it from there instead of directly from within the email.

dscribe2 · 24 Aug 2011

G'day Brink,
I can save the files to many folders then open it via Word but it's a pain in the b.....
There must be a way to open it directly from the email program.
Kind regards dscribe2

Irene · 24 Aug 2011

I wonder if this freeware program might help:
Default Programs Editor

As suggested by Bill2 in this other thread:
Add a program to the list of Default Programs?

Caipirinha · 12 Sep 2011

As I said in my original post, I tried the default program editor a while ago. It doesn't place new entries in Microsoft's "Set Default Programs" applet, as I recall. It functions more like the "open with" approach that Brink described, above. This shouldn't be that hard. I'm sure that MS has some tool that enables developers to put there software in the "Default Programs" applet.

dscribe2 · 22 Sep 2011

I've tried all these suggested steps - my beef is to open docx directly from email attachments. In the "set your default programs" option in Control Panel, Microsoft Word doesn't appear as a choice even 'though I have told the system to use MS word to open docx files in "Associate a file type or protocol with a program".
Is it me or W7?

Brink · 22 Sep 2011

The only option that I'm aware of is what I posted above to save to your desktop, then open it. Some attachments just do not seem to want to open directly from an email.