How to Unassociate File Extension Types in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to unassociate a file extension to no longer have a default program to open it with afterwards in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to unassociate file types.

   Note

These are free standalone EXE program that run without installing anything on your computer.

CONTENTS:

• Option One: Unassociate File Type using "FileTypesMan" Program
• Option Two: Unassociate File Type using "Unassociate File Types" Program
• Option Three: Unassociate File Type using "Unassociate" BAT file

OPTION ONE

Unassociate File Type using "FileTypesMan" Program

NOTE: This program supports running in XP, Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8.

1. Download the ZIP file for the same 32-bit or 64-bit FileTypesMan at the bottom of the site below as your 32-bit or 64-bit Windows.

FileTypesMan - Alternative to 'File Types' manager of Windows

2. Open the downloaded filetypesman.zip or filetypesman-x64.zip, and extract (drag and drop) all files to the desktop.

3. Run the extracted FileTypesMan.exe file.

4. If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes (Windows 7/8) or Continue (Vista).

5. In the top pane, select one or more "extensions" (ex: .txt) that you wish to unassociate. (see screenshot below)

   Note

To select random multiple file extensions:
Press and hold the Ctrl key while clicking on extensions to select them, then release the Ctrl key when finished.

To Select everything inbetween two selected file extensions including the selected file extension:
Select an extension, press and hold the Shift key, click on another extension to select them and everything inbetween them, then release the Shift key.

6. When finished with step 5, click/tap on Edit (menu bar) and Delete Selected Extensions. (see screenshot below)

7. Click/tap on Yes to confirm. (see screenshot below)

8. When finished, you can close FileTypesMan if you like.

OPTION TWO

Unassociate File Type using "Unassociate File Types" Program

NOTE: This program only supports running in Windows 7 and Vista. Windows 8 is not supported.

1. Download the ZIP file for the free Unassociate File Types program under Attachements towards the bottom of the site at the link, and save it to your desktop.

2. Open the downloaded unassoc.zip, and extract (drag and drop) all files to the desktop. (see screenshot below)

3. Run the extracted Unassoc.exe file.

4. If prompted by UAC, click/tap on Yes (Windows 7) or Continue (Vista).

5. To Unassociate a File Extension Type

A) Click/tap on a file extension type from the list in the left pane to select it. (see screenshot below step 7)

B) Click/tap on Remove file association (User). (see screenshot below step 7)

6. To Delete a File Extension Type

A) Click/tap on a file extension type from the list in the left pane to select it. (see screenshot below step 7)

B) Click/tap on Delete file type. (see screenshot below step 7)

7. When finished, close the program.

OPTION THREE

Unassociate File Type using "Unassociate" BAT file

   Note

Thank you to our member Pyprohly for creating the Unassociate.bat file in this option.

1. Click/tap on the Download button below to download the Unassociate.bat v2.2.1 file.

Download

2. Save the .bat file to your desktop, and unblock it.

3. Do step 4 or step 5 below for how you want to unassociate a file type with the Unassociate.bat file.

4. Drag and drop the file you want to unassociate on to the Unassociate.bat file, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)

5. Right click on the Unassociate.bat file, and click on Run as administrator.

6. Enter the file extension that you want to unassociate, and press Enter. (see screenshot below)

7. Type Y to confirm. (see screenshot below)

8. The entered file extension is now unassociated for all users. (see screenshot below)

That's it,
Shawn

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