Default Programs - Set a Program's Default Associations

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
    Default Programs - Set a Program's Default Associations

    Default Programs - Set a Program's Default Associations

    How to Set Default Associations for a Program in Windows 7
    Published by
    Designer Media Ltd


    How to Set Default Associations for a Program in Windows 7


       Information
    A default program is the program that Windows 7 uses when you open a particular type of file extension. This will show you how to set a program as the default for selected or all file types and protocols it can open.

    These Default Programs association settings are a per user setting and not applied to all users.





    Here's How:
    1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click on the Default Programs icon.

    2. Click on the Set your default programs link. (See screenshot below)
    Default Programs - Set a Program's Default Associations-default_program.jpg
    3. In the left column, select (highlight) a listed program that you want to change it's default file associations for. (See screenshot below)
    Default Programs - Set a Program's Default Associations-select.jpg
    4. To Set the Program as the Default Program for All of it's Associations
    NOTE: This will associate the selected program as the default used by Windows 7 to open all of the file types and protocols that it can open.
    A) Click on Set this program as default. (See screenshot below step 3A)

    B) Go to step 6.
    5. To Manually Choose Default Associations to be Associated with the Program
    NOTE: This will associate the selected program as the default used by Windows 7 to open the selected file types and protocols by you from the list that the program can open.
    A) Click on Choose defaults for this program. (See screenshot below step 3A)

    B) Check the file extensions you want this program to be associated to open by default. (See screenshots below)
    NOTE: These are the default settings for each listed default program. You will only be able to uncheck the file extenstions that you just checked and were not already checked before doing step 5A.
    Default Programs - Set a Program's Default Associations-internet_explorer.jpg

    Default Programs - Set a Program's Default Associations-paint.jpg

    Default Programs - Set a Program's Default Associations-windows_contacts.jpg

    Default Programs - Set a Program's Default Associations-windows_disc_image_burner.jpg

    Default Programs - Set a Program's Default Associations-windows_media_center.jpg

    Default Programs - Set a Program's Default Associations-windows_media_player-1.jpg

    Default Programs - Set a Program's Default Associations-windows_media_player-2.jpg

    Default Programs - Set a Program's Default Associations-windows_photo_viewer.jpg

    Default Programs - Set a Program's Default Associations-windows_search_explorer.jpg

    Default Programs - Set a Program's Default Associations-wordpad.jpg
    C) Click on the Save button to apply. (See screenshots above)
    6. Click on OK. (See screenshot below step 3A)
    That's it,
    Shawn







  1. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 starter 32bit.
       #1

    My program is not in the list


    if the program that I want as default is not in the list, what should I do?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 72,634
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #2

    Hello Beatriz, and welcome to Seven Forums.

    You might see if you may be able to right click on the file that you want the program to open by default, and use Open With to select the program's exe file to do so instead.

    Hope this helps,
    Shawn
    Last edited by Brink; 02 Jan 2011 at 17:55.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 starter 32bit.
       #3

    I had already tried this route, but the program I want to use as default is the windows media player classic, and when I right click and select the WMPC It Will not Be added to the program to open with. I put my question into google and got this site, I was doing all the steps, but when I got to step number 3, WMPC not appear on the list of programs that I can select as default. How do I add it? If you can not add any program to this list has some other way to solve my problem?

    Thank you very much for trying to help me,
    Beatriz
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 72,634
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #4

    You shoule be able to click on the Browse button, then navigate to and select the exe file of WMPC instead.

    Also, look here to see if you may be able to set WMPC as the default program within it's own options.

    Set Media Player Classic as Default Player
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 starter 32bit.
       #5

    I got this link you sent, but did not work. When I clicked on "all> apply> ok" all "icons" is unchecked. I do not know what else to do, thank you for your attention anyway. Beatriz
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 72,634
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Beatriz,

    Right click on the WMPC shortcut and click on "Run as administrator" and try doing that again to see if it may work this time. Some programs may require to run elevated for this type of option to work properly.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 starter 32bit.
       #7

    OMG, it worked!!
    thank you very very very very very much!!
    Beatriz
    Last edited by beatrizribeiror; 03 Jan 2011 at 16:50.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 72,634
    64-bit Windows 11 Pro for Workstations
    Thread Starter
       #8

    That's great news. You're most welcome Beatriz. :)
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit
       #9

    Awesome Fix!


    Thanks Shawn! I tried all the other fixes but yours was the only one that worked. Tried all the folder and system options but changing the default pgm is the fix that worked.

    Thanks!!!!
      My Computer


 
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 17:52.
Find Us