Change your default image editing software

[Orbital Shark]

Real Title: Change you default image editing software (right-click -> edit)

I've done some digging (due to this http://www.sevenforums.com/customization/9902-right-click-context-menus.html post) and have found the exact registry key needed to change the default application that is run when you right-click an image file and select Edit. Regardsless of the 'Default' application for each file type, mspaint stays ar the default right-click->edit application.

Open up regedit (type "regedit" in the start menu search box) and navigate to

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\image\shell\edit\command

Change the default to the location of the executable file of your image editing software:

e.g. "c:\program files\adobe\photoshopCS4\photoshopCS4.exe" "%1"

NOTE: You need to encase the text in quotes ("") & add "%1" in order for your chosen piece of software to open the file you have selected.

Now, when you right-click and select Edit, your newly chosen application will run.

 

[Digger]

this was/is the case even when the file ext was/is associated with another program? seems as tho in XP atleast, when installing office 07 and the microsoft imaging program, that then became the default if i recall correctly. Since then i dont install it, didnt use or like it.

what is the difference with choosing "edit" and having the selected default program a choice, rather than just using the "open with" and choosing from a menu of select installed applications that handle that extension? Not shunning your hard work, just a curious cat.

 

[Orbital Shark]

I've just installed Office 2007 and mspaint is still the default 'Edit' application. There is not much diffrence other than (i suppose) having a different 'editing' & different 'viewing' applications.

 

[Digger]

sorry orbital, like i said wasnt shunning your hard work, i didnt realize that you were doing this for another's preferences. My mistake. the question should actually be in his thread instead

 

[Digger]

I've just installed Office 2007 and mspaint is still the default 'Edit' application. There is not much diffrence other than (i suppose) having a different 'editing' & different 'viewing' applications.

but did you do a custom install of office and choose to install the MS editing software ( i forget the exact name off hand) ? that would be interesting if so. Like i said, that program took preference place over paint in XP when installed. Tho its been ages ago, i could be a bumbling fool also, just going by memory.

 

[Orbital Shark]

I 'Microsoft Office Picture Manager' was installed by default so i believe

FYI you're no bumbling fool

 

[Digger]

hehehe.... well thank you sir.... i do know who to call upon when i need to go reg digging/hunting

 

[noyb]

...what is the difference with choosing "edit" and having the selected default program a choice, rather than just using the "open with" and choosing from a menu ...

In my configuration ... I use Irfanview for my default image viewing and editing.
But may need to "open with" another application for advanced editing or viewing.
The "Open With" route is too many clicks requiring a multiple choice test.
I'd rather take a direct route with only two clicks ... and skip the multiple choice "open with" test.
I quit taking tests a long time ago

 

[Digger]

In my configuration ... I use Irfanview for my default image viewing and editing.
But may need to "open with" another application for advanced editing or viewing.
The "Open With" route is too many clicks requiring a multiple choice test.
I'd rather take a direct route with only two clicks ... and skip the multiple choice "open with" test.
I quit taking tests a long time ago

from your standpoint of one whom uses alot of image design/editing software, especially if thats your passion, hobby, or job, i can fully understand this. Only thing i would point out is that its still two clicks with a mouse, 1 right - * slide over * - left click Now if you could just customize a button(s) on the mouse to open a variety of select programs in that field... thats the only possible faster way i could think of. But yea, i understand the need now, and starting to not understand why this isnt avail somehow without the need of going thru reg. I guess that the /control panel/default programs/ hasnt an included option for this. It would presumably only affect the opening of, not the "open for edit".

turns out this has been more interesting than first look, or second look for that matter.

 

[noyb]

This was easy in XP .. Folder options > file types ... for each specific file type.

In XP or Vista .. One could create a new task bar .. and drag the file to the application.

W7's pinned applications do not allow dragging the file to open ...
and M$ has removed the ability to create a new task bar in W7

Seems like the better M$ gets .. The more workarounds we have to find.

This regedit workaround would be better if it could be done on a specific file type basis.

 

[noyb]

Slight problem ..
W7 doesn't recognize a Photoshop psd file as an Image ...
So the previous reg. fix doesn't work for psd files.

But, for Irfanview users .. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\IrfanView.psd\shell\ …
can be modified to add Photoshop as an alternative Program.

 

[TOMinTX]

Thanks for your help. I wanted to edit with Photoshop and default (Dblclick) view with Windows Photo Viewer. After researching for an hour or so I found your link. In my case I recently moved from XP to a new mashine with Windows7. It's only taken a month of booting from the old XP drive in the meantime to get to a comfortable working place on W7. IMHO some of the W7 stuff seems to be an extreme case of control issues on M$'s part, like we can't make decisions on our own.

A word of caution for the neophyte, copy the default value to a document, before you change it.
That way you can paste it back and make sure things are still working, especially when they don't go right on the 1st, 2nd, or in my case 12th try. After finally getting the typing and program right it worked like a charm.

Finding the path took a bit of scrolling until I realized it wasn't System.File
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ SystemFileAssociations \ image \ shell \ edit \ command

The default in my case was:
"%systemroot%\system32\mspaint.exe" "%1"
The new path is now:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Photoshop Elements 7.0\Photoshop Elements 7.0.exe" "%1"


Thanks again.

 

[SmithUnwesson]

Now, when you right-click and select Edit, your newly chosen application will run.

Worked perfectly! Thanks!!!

 

[atinfo]

My "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\ SystemFileAssociations \ image \ shell \ edit \ command" is set to
"%systemroot%\system32\mspaint.exe" "%1", but "edit" in right click opens pictures with Windows Photo Viewer! What is problem?
I applied SFC command but no difference!
OS= Win 7 Ultimate x64