Default File Type Associations - Restore

Restore Default Windows 7 File Extension Type Associations​

   Information

The downloads below will allow you to restore the Windows 7 default registry entries and program associations of the selected file extension type.

   Note

This can be helpful for example when a file extension type opens with the wrong program by default, has the wrong icon, or is missing or corrupted in the registry. Downloading the .reg file for the selected file extension in the tutorial below, will restore that file extension back to default for all of these items above.

Since there are so many default file extension types in Windows 7, it may take a bit to have a complete list of them below. If the file extension type you need to restore is not listed below yet, then please post a request for it. I'll be happy to add it to the list.

   Warning

Default program associations for file extensions are a per user setting by default, so you will need to be logged on to the effected user account to be able to restore the default associations of the file extension for that specific user account.

If you are logged in as a standard user and this still does not help, then have the administrator also merge the needed .reg for the file extension below while logged into their administrator account.

These default file extensions should only be used in Windows 7.

:note: For Windows 10, please see here - Restore Default File Type Associations in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Customization Tutorials


Here's How:
1. Click on a listed file extension below the blue NOTE box that you would like to restore the default associations of. This will be for the downloadable .reg file for the listed file extension.

2. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

3. Right click on the downloaded .reg file, and click on Merge.
NOTE: If you wish to see what changes will be made by the REG file, then you can right click on the extracted REG file and click on Edit to see the default registry entries that will be added. REG files are just text files. The "Edit" function just opens them in Notepad.

   Tip

If you do not see a Merge option when you right click on the REG file, then you will need to check in Default Programs to set the reg file extension to have it's Current Default program set as Registry Editor (C:\Windows\regedit.exe). Afterwards, try merging the REG file again.

4. If prompted, click on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK.
NOTE: If you are logged in a standard user account, then you will get a Cannot import type error. Just click on OK for it. This is normal since what cannot be imported can only be done so by an administrator account instead. It will still restore the default association of the file extension though.

5. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .zip or .reg files on the desktop if you like.

6. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.




Default Windows 7 File Extension Types:

   Note

To download all available file extension fixes below in one ZIP folder, click on the Download button below and save the ZIP file to your desktop. Open the ZIP file, and extract (drag and drop) the REG file for the file extension you want to restore to your desktop. Now you could just pick up at step 3 above.


Download

3GP - Audio and video container format developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP); designed as a multimedia format for transmitting audio and video files between 3G cell phones and over the Internet; commonly used by mobile phones that support video capture. The default program is Windows Media Player.

3GPP - Audio and video container format developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP); designed as a multimedia format for transmitting audio and video files between 3G cell phones and over the Internet; commonly used by mobile phones that support video capture. The default program is Windows Media Player.

aac - ADTS audio file. The default program is Windows Media Player.

ai - AI file.

ani - Windows animated cursor file.

aspx - A file with the ASPX file extension is an ASP.NET Source file.

asf - Advanced Streaming Format (ASF) is an open file format specification for streaming multimedia files containing text, graphics, sound, video, and animation. The default program is Windows Media Player.

asx - Advanced Stream Redirector (.asx) play list files, also known as Windows Media Metafiles, are text files that provide information about a file stream and its presentation. The default program is Windows Media Player.

AudioCD - Audio CD protocol associations.

avi - Audio Video Interleave files. The default program is Windows Media Player.

bas - BASIC source code file.

bak - Usually used to rename a file extension with to make it a backup copy. bak as no associations by default, so this will remove all associations for the bak file extension.

bat - Batch files.

bin - Binary file. By default in Windows 7, .bin files are not associated to be opened by a default program.

bmp - Bitmap image files. The default program is Windows Photo Viewer.

Briefcase - New Briefcase file.

cab - Cabinet files.

cer - Security Certificate file

chm - Microsoft compiled HTML help files.

cmd - Windows command script files.

com - MS-DOS application files.

Contact - Contact file. Default program is Windows Contacts.

cpl - Control Panel item.

cpp - Program source code written in the C++ programming language; may be a standalone program or one of many files referenced within a programming project; can be viewed with a text editor, but most software development programs will display the text with helpful syntax highlighting

crl - Certificate Revocation list file

crt - Security Certificate file

css - Cascading Style Sheet Document file. The default program is Notepad.

cur - Windows File Cursor animation files used for the Microsoft Windows mouse pointer image.

dat - Generic data file created by a specific application; typically accessed only by the application that created the file; may contain data in text or binary format; text-based DAT files can be viewed in a text editor.

der - Security Certificate file

db - Data base file.

dic - The .DIC file extension is a Dictionary file (text file) which can be used as an alternate dictionary on top of the Microsoft Windows Dictionary and may contain an optional set of personalized words which the user has opted to add for spell- checking purposes.

Directory - Directory protocol associations

dll - A Dynamic Link Library (dll) file is a support file used by one or more programs.

drive - Drive protocol associations.

dvr-ms - Microsoft Recorded TV Show file. The default program is Windows Media Center.

exe - Executable application files.

folder - Folder protocol associations.

gif - GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) image files. The default program is Internet Explorer.

gz - Usually associated with Gzip. By default, there is no associated program for this in Windows 7.

h - C or C++ program language header file normally with .C or .CPP file. In computer programming, particularly in the C and C++ programming languages, a header file or include file is a file, usually in the form of source code, that is automatically included in another source file by the compiler. Typically, header files are included via compiler directives at the beginning (or head) of the other source file.

hlp - Help file

hta - HTML (Hypertext Mark-up Language) application. The default program is Microsoft (R) HTML Application host (mshta.exe)

htm - HTML (Hypertext Mark-up Language) document files. The default program is Internet Explorer.

html - HTML (Hypertext Mark-up Language) document files. The default program is Internet Explorer.

ico - Icon files. The default program is Windows Photo Viewer.

img - CD or DVD image file, essentially equivalent to an ISO file.

inf - Setup information files. The default program is Notepad.

ini - The INI file type is primarily associated with 'Initialization/Configuration File'. These files are typically ASCII text with various configuration options set into sections.

iso - Image file.

jnt - Journal document file. Default program is Windows Journal.

jpe - JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) image files. The default program is Windows Photo Viewer.

jpeg - JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) image files. The default program is Windows Photo Viewer.

jpg - JPG (Joint Photographic Group) image files. The default program is Windows Photo Viewer.

js - Java Script file. The default program is Microsoft Windows Based Script Host (C:\Windows\System32\wscript.exe).

JSE - JScript encoded script file. The default program is Microsoft Windows Based Script Host (C:\Windows\System32\wscript.exe).

library-ms - Library folder.
NOTE: To restore the default icons, you may need to do these as well.

• How to Change a Library Icon in Windows 7
• How to Change the Default Libraries Icon in Windows 7

lnk - Shortcut link (LNK) files.

log - LOG is a file extension associated with Log files. It is a text file.

M2T- High-definition video recording format used by many HD camcorders; commonly referred to as "HDV;" uses MPEG-2 compression to store HD video data on DV or MiniDV tapes; supports resolutions of 720p and 1080i.

M2TS - Blu-ray BDAV Video File. Video file saved in the high-definition Blu-ray BDAV format; used for saving video data on Blu-ray discs; based on the MPEG-2 transport stream and supports 720p and 1080i formats. BDAV stands for "Blu-ray Disc Audio/Visual," while the M2TS extension refers to "MPEG-2 Transport Stream."

m3u - The M3U file type is primarily associated with 'MP3 Playlist File'. Generally known as a "Winamp" Playlist file, this format has been adopted by a wide variety of MP3 players. The default program is Windows Media Player.

m4a - MPEG-4 audio file. The default program is Windows Media Player.

M4V - MPEG-4 file extension used for videos downloaded from the Apple iTunes store; includes TV episodes, full-length movies, and music videos; similar to an .MP4 file, but may be copy-protected using Apple's FairPlay DRM copyright protection.

manifest - A XML file that contains information about accompanying files in the same archive.

mapimail - Mail service.

mhtml - MHTML document file. The default program is Internet Explorer.

mkv - A Matroska Multimedia Container file is a video format similar to the .AVI, .ASF, and .MOV formats. By default Windows 7 does not have support for opening this file type and has no association. DivXPlayer is a good free program to install that does support playing this file extension. This download will set this file extension back to the default unassociated state in Windows 7.

mov - Movie file. The default program is Windows Media Player.

mp3 - MP3 sound format file. The default program is Windows Media Player.

mp4 - MPEG-4 movie file. The default program is Windows Media Player.

mpa - MPEG audio file. The default program is Windows Media Player.

mpe - MPEG movie file. The default program is Windows Media Player.

mpeg - MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) video file. The default program is Windows Media Player.

mpg - MPEG video file. The default program is Windows Media Player.

msc - Mirosoft Common Console document files.

msi - Microsoft Windows Installer installation package file.

msp - Microsoft Windows Installer Patch file.

MTS - MadTracker 2 Sample File. High-definition MPEG Transport Stream video format, commonly called "AVCHD" (Advanced Video Codec High Definition); used by Sony, Panasonic, and other HD camcorders; based on the MPEG-2 transport stream and supports 720p and 1080i HD video formats. MTS files can typically be opened and edited using the software included with Sony and Panasonic HD camcorders. The default program in Windows 7 is Windows Media Player.

nfo - System Information File

obj - Object file.

otf - Open Type Font file. The default program is Windows Font Viewer.

Package - Package protocol.

pbk - Dial-Up Phonebook file. The default program is Remote Access Phonebook.

pdf - Portable Document Format (PDF) is a file format created by Adobe Systems. By default, Windows 7 does not support reading this file type. Using this to restore the default PDF association in Windows 7 will remove all associations for the pdf file extension. You will need to install a 3rd party program like Adobe Reader or Foxit Reader to be able to open and read pdf files in Windows 7.

png - Portable Network Graphics (PNG) is a bitmap compression method for image files. PNG supports 16.7 million colors, it is lossless and also supports index color, grayscale, true color, transparency, and is streamable. It is thus the best compression method (better than GIF or JPEG) for use on the web.

ps1 - Microsoft Windows PowerShell command line shell and scripting language file. The default program used to open with is Notepad.

psd - The PSD file format, created by Adobe, contains graphics/photos created by image editing software such as Adobe Photoshop.

reg - Registry file.
NOTE: You may need to set the default program as Registry Editor (C:\Windows\regedit.exe) for reg file extensions, or enable regedit before you will be able to use this REG file.

rtf - Rich Text document files. The default program is WordPad.

scr - Screen Saver files.

Search - Windows Search protocol.

svg - SVG document. The default program is Internet Explorer.

swf - Shockwafe Flash Object.

sys - System file.

tar - Tape Archive file. By default, there is no associated program for this in Windows 7.

theme - A Windows theme file.

themepack - A .themepack file is a Windows Theme Pack file used to share themes with others.

tif - Tagged Image files Format. The default program is Windows Photo Viewer.

tiff - Tagged Image files Format. The default program is Windows Photo Viewer.

tmp - Temp file. By default, this file extension does not have a program associated with it.

TS - Video Transport Stream file used for storing video on a DVD; compresses video data using standard MEPG-2 (.MPEG) video compression. TS files are often saved as multiple files on a DVD, i.e. "moviename1.ts," "moviename2.ts," "moviename3.ts," etc. They can be played back by various software DVD players and video editing tools

ttf - True Type font file. The default program is Windows Font Viewer.

TTS - A .tts file is a text file (an ini file) that corresponds to your book. The ToolBook Translation System (TTS) creates the .tts file for you when you set the book's TTS Identifier through the Setup Sources window.

txt - Text document files. The default program is Notepad.

Type - To remove association with blank file extension.

Unknown - Unknown file types.

url - Internet website shortcut link. The default program is Internet Explorer.

vbs - Visual Basic Script files. The default program is Microsoft Windows Based Script Host (C:\Windows\System32\wscript.exe).

vob - Movie data file from a DVD disc, typically stored in the VIDEO_TS folder; contains the majority of data stored on the disc including video, audio, and subtitles; usually formatted as an MPEG-2 system stream and can be opened by various video playback programs.

wav - Wave audio file. The default program is Windows Media Player.

wma - Windows Media Audio files. The default program is Windows Media Player.

wmv - Windows Media Audio/Video file. The default program is Windows Media Player.

wsf - Windows Script Files. The default program is Microsoft Windows Based Script Host (C:\Windows\System32\wscript.exe).

xml - Excel Macro files. The default program is Internet Explorer.

xps - XML Paper Specification document files. The default program is XPS Viewer (C:\Windows\System32\XPSViewer\XPSViewer.exe).

xsl - A eXtensible Stylesheet Language file that defines the style of text, tables, and other objects within a XML document; similar to a .CSS file used by .HTML documents. The default program is Internet Explorer.

zip - ZIP file extensions is a archival and data compression format used to compress one or more files to reduce the size of the file. The default program is Compressed Folders.

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Associate a File Type or Protocol Default Program in Window 7
• How to Set Default Associations for a Program in Windows 7
• How to Hide or Show Known File Type Extensions in Windows 7
• How to Add "Show/Hide Known File Extensions" to Context Menu in Vista and Windows 7
• How to Change the Default Program a File Type Opens With in Windows 7
• How to Rebuild the Icon Cache in Windows 7
• How to Change the Default Icon of a File Extension in Windows 7
• How to Create a Default Programs Shortcut in Windows 7
• How to Fix Manage "File does not have a program associated with it" Error
• How to Unassociate a File Extension Type in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
• How to Create a "Set Program Access and Computer Defaults" Shortcut
• How to Enable or Disable the "Set Program Access and Computer Defaults" Page
• How to Fix "Open with" Opening with Notepad or Error Message
• How to Restore Default Services in Windows 7

 

[Brink]

I'm having some problem with the .indd extension and was hoping for a reg file from OP.
I've tried editing the reg by hand myself but wasn't able to get it to work sadly.

The values should be right, but don't seem to work (dutch):

• .indd
  • OpenWithList
    • (Standaard) _REG_SZ (geen waarde ingesteld)
    • a __________REG_SZ InDesign.exe
    • MRUList _____REG_SZ ba
  • OpenWithProgids
    • (Standaard) ...
    • indd_auto_file
  • UserChoice
    • (Standaard) ...
    • Progid _______REG_SZ Applications\indesign.exe

I put the UserChoice there in myself but it doesn't show up when I try to "open with ..." the file.


It acts like the same problem another user had.

Although I installed InDesign a few weeks ago,
and rather not go through the installation procedure again.

Hello Bramako, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Instead of doing that, you should be able to right click on a .indd file and use "Open with" to select the program that you want to be the default program to always open this file type with.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/12196-open-change-default-program.html
Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[mekja]

all .exe files open with regedit

Hi,

I downloaded an application and somehow mistakenly default the programs to be all opened with this app.

I tried your suggestion here but nothing happened. I have restarted and nothing happened.

Please help!

 

[Brink]

Hello Mekja, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Did you download and merge the .reg files for the listed .exe and .lnk (LNK) options in the tutorial?

If so, then make sure that you approve each item in step 4 to fully merge the .reg files.

 

[Bramako]

Hello Bramako, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Instead of doing that, you should be able to right click on a .indd file and use "Open with" to select the program that you want to be the default program to always open this file type with.http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/12196-open-change-default-program.html
Hope this helps,
Shawn

Hello,

I'm sorry to say that this doesn't help since I tried this before.
Which is why I linked the same problem another user had.

I've also added some screenshots showing that when I "Open with ..." the file,
I can go to the location where the InDesign.exe is,
but after selecting it and pressing the "Open" button, it won't put it in the list.

When I select a different program like this (For example; Photoshop) it works just fine (as shown on the last screenshot)

 

[Brink]

Bramako,

While searching the net, it appears you're not the only one with this issue for .indd files. Unfortunately, most were solved by uninstalling and reinstall InDesign.

 

[Bramako]

Bramako,

While searching the net, it appears you're not the only one with this issue for .indd files. Unfortunately, most were solved by uninstalling and reinstall InDesign.

I was expecting a reinstall of the program to work but of course I hoped for an easier solution.

Thank you for your time and to let me know that a reinstall will have a high success rate of fixing the problem.

 

[Brink]

You're welcome. I hope it will work for you as well.

 

[Kelisira]

Restore New Folder function in Windows 7 without disabling Virtual XP

I followed Shawn's directions, which worked perfectly until I tried to access my virtual Windows XP. I know he says it's only for Windows 7, but virtual XP runs under Windows 7, so I didn't anticipate a problem. In order to access my virtual XP programs and files, I had to do a system restore to get rid of the changes Shawn suggested. Now, of course, I can't make new folders again. Help?

 

[Brink]

Hello Kelisira, and welcome to Seven Forums.

I'm not sure I understand what issue you had with your virtual XP. What exactly stopped working when you merged what I assume was the folder option from the tutorial?

Is this with "XP Mode" or just XP installed in a VM?

 

[Kelisira]

I downloaded and merged the .reg files for the directory and folder options you listed. It worked perfectly. Now, I could see the New Folder option and I could make folders. However, when I went into Windows Virtual PC and tried to access my Windows XP Mode, I got stuck in a black screen. I tried rebooting the machine, but the problem remained. I went back to the system restore point previous to changing the .reg files, Once I did that, I could once again access my XP Mode under Virtual PC, but could no longer see nor use the New Folder option. That's where I'm at now. How do I get my New Folder option back without losing my DOS programs running under XP Mode?

 

[Brink]

I downloaded and merged the .reg files for the directory and folder options you listed. It worked perfectly. Now, I could see the New Folder option and I could make folders. However, when I went into Windows Virtual PC and tried to access my Windows XP Mode, I got stuck in a black screen. I tried rebooting the machine, but the problem remained. I went back to the system restore point previous to changing the .reg files, Once I did that, I could once again access my XP Mode under Virtual PC, but could no longer see nor use the New Folder option. That's where I'm at now. How do I get my New Folder option back without losing my DOS programs running under XP Mode?

Kelisira,

Hmm, I'm not sure how that would affect XP Mode.

Please go ahead and export the two keys below from the left side of your registry as .reg files, and upload them. I'll compare them with the downloads to see what may be happening.

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder

 

[Anden88]

Hi!

I have a very similar problem like the others. I have tried to follow the steps in this tread. But of some reason I cant fix it. I think I tried to remove some program from the downloads folder yesterday, now i cant open any file(i can find them when i search for them, and the program opens, but then they say the file is miss) find from that folder, or that folder.

When I try to open that folder i get:

Explorer.exe
This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Please install a program, or if one is already installed, create an association in the default programs control panel.This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Please install a program, or if one is already installed, create an association in the default programs control panel. - In Swedish though

That folder(shortcut) can be found under "Favorites". I can't find any original the map where it should be, but i can when I search for it. The result is a message saying it isn't available and "access denied".

I have tried to download the reg file, and merced it and all those steps. No problem doing that, it just didn't work. Do I maybe have to choose another file from the list(I did test a few more), or do I have to try an totally different solution? Really frustrating to see that it seems to work for anyone else.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Britton30]

Welcome to Seven Forums Anden88.

Did you try the info in the yellow TIP box?

 

[Anden88]

Well, everything was "working". The final step told me that it was merced successfully, then I restarted to get the changes to work. I didn't work, that's why I was thinking that it maybe has to be another file, or another solution for my problem.

 

[Brink]

Hello Anden, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Without knowing what you deleted, it may be best to do a system restore at boot using a restore point (if available) dated before this to hopefully undo and fix this.

 

[CarMart]

One exe file is not working, others are

Hi, Brink. I've just read the instructions you posted on Aug 4, 2009, re how to restore default file extension type associations in Windows 7. I have not used them yet, though, because I have the following problem: when I tried to change some settings in the Avira Free Edition (antivirus) and clicked Accept, I received a message titled
"c:\Program Files (x86)\avira\antivir desktop\avconfig.exe" with text "This file has no program associated with it for performing this action ..."
The problem being caused by avconfig.exe, I assumed it was a problem with exe files. However, other exe files work perfectly, for instance, Notepad.exe.
Is this solution applicable to my situation, or would using it imply a risk for my system? Or should I do something else?
Thank you very much!

 

[Brink]

Hello CarMart, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Since Avira seems to be the only program affected, you might see if uninstalling and reinstalling may fix the issue with it.

Hope this helps for now,
Shawn

 

[CarMart]

Some exe -- and other type -- files not working

Hello, Brink-Shawn . Thanks for your fast reply! Actually, some exe files seem not to be working (the one I mentioned being among them) and other non-exe files are not working either (I don't remember which at this moment). So I'm not sure reinstalling Avira would fix the problem. Besides, Avira came with the PC when I purchased it. I don't have any CDs or DVDs, so I'll have to search the Internet and find out whether I can download and install it.
Thank you again.

 

[Brink]

Could all of these programs that no longer work be trial versions that came preinstalled on your PC that have now expired?

Here's the link for the free Avira: Thank you for downloading

Personally, I like the free Avast better: AVAST 2013 | Download Free Antivirus Software for Virus Protection

 

[CarMart]

Your .reg file worked !

Hi, Brink. Thanks again for the valuable information about Avira and Avast.
About restoring exe file associations, I made up my mind, ran your .reg file for exe files and ... voila !! I didn't get any error messages this time. I could finally change the Avira settings I had told you about. By the way, what I did in Avira was disable the "activate IPv6 support" option, which allowed me to finally install Java; it had been impossible before. I did this following a tip I found in an internet forum. I've no idea what this setting has to do with installing Java, and besides, I hope having set it this way does not imply putting my system in jeopardy.
Have a nice day!