how do I set the default program for opening a folder

[mhguda]

I read somewhere how you can choose the default program to open a folder with, but now I cannot find it again, and I also cannot find how to do this.
I had done it and changed the default file manager, but I want to reverse the change. I can't get to a window or dialog box that lets me change the file types windows displays, or that lets me edit the default program when I click on a folder icon.

Thanks in advance for your help.
I am using windows 7 build 7100.

 

[Brink]

Hello Mhguda, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You should be able to do a System Restore (at boot if needed) using a restore point dated before you changed this to undo it.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[mhguda]

I understand that, but I wanted to know how to get the file types dialog. Restoring the system won't give me that. Can you tell me what to do to get that?
Thanks in advance.

 

[Hedrush]

I understand that, but I wanted to know how to get the file types dialog. Restoring the system won't give me that. Can you tell me what to do to get that?
Thanks in advance.

Goto control panel / default programs / associate a file type or protocol with a specific program

 

[ten]

He's talking about folders people.

Go into the registry and export the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory and HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Folder keys. Paste the contents here. You will probably have to edit them as folders are not covered in the new unimproved file/folder actions.

 

[Brink]

Mhguda,

Here's the folder .reg file from system that will restore your default folder protocols. Just double click on it and approve to merge it.

 

[mhguda]

Thanks Brink, did you see my post about the freeware Filetypesman? I wanted not only to know how to get the default situation back, but also to make another change. Unaided, win7 does not let me do that. Using filetypesman, I can edit the folder entry to choose the program that opens it by default. Under XP, there is an advanced setting in the folder options where you can also edit settings like this. I'm wondering where it is in win7.

 

[Brink]

Sorry about that.

In Vista and Windows 7 you can use Default Programs or Open With instead to change individual file extension type and protocol associations.

 

[ten]

Thanks for mentioning FileTypesMan. It's is a definite winner when you need to have full control over file actions.

 

[mhguda]

Sorry about that.

In Vista and Windows 7 you can use Default Programs or Open With instead to change individual file extension type and protocol associations.

I was asking, because using default programs or set associations did not get me the folder association editor. If a file has an extension, you can use those. But FileTypesMan lets you do it. I guess that's what I used before & did not quite remember; I found an earlier installation on my XP partition, & I must have used that. (I find that some programs will run from there even if I don't install them under win7). (Now I have a reason why not to do that).

 

[Brink]

Yeah, that feature in XP was removed from Vista and Windows 7. I'm happy that FileTypesMan will do the trick for you.

 

[mhguda]

Hmm, that's the first reason I'm finding for not liking win7. I'm glad there already is a work-around.