When you install programs on your computer, you may want to associate different file types to be opened with specific programs. For example, you may want '.mp3' files to be opened with Winamp or iTunes and your '.avi' files with Windows Media Player. In a previous tutorial I have shown how to set your default programs in Windows 7. However, the list of default programs doesn't include all installed applications and doesn't help set the defaults for all extensions and protocols. This article will continue the series of articles and show how to set a program to always open a specific file type or protocol, independent of the fact that it is shown in the list of Default Programs or not.

NOTE: If you want to find out more about file types and extensions, I recommend file-extensions.org. Regarding protocols and what they are, check out Wikipedia's page on Internet Protocol Suite.

Opening the Set Associations Panel

You can associate a file type or protocol to a program by using the Set Associations control panel and there are several ways of finding it. The first is to open Control Panel, choose Programs and click on 'Make a file type always open in a specific program' in the Default Programs group of links.

Another way is to type 'association' in the Start Menu search bar and click the 'Make a file type always open in a specific program' search result.

Associate File Types & Protocols to Programs Using the Set Associations Panel

In the Set Associations panel, you will see a list of file types registered on your computer and, for each, a short description and the current default program. If the default program is set as Unknown application it means that your computer doesn't know how to open that specific file type and you need to install an application which can work with it.

Select an extension by clicking it to see more information on the program that currently opens it by default.

To change the default program for an extension, select it and click on 'Change program'.

You can select one of the recommended programs or you can search for other programs by clicking the Browse button. Press OK when you have finished.

Associate File Types to Programs Using the Open With Menu

The second way of associating a file type to a program is by using the 'Open With' menu. Right click on the file you want to open, go to 'Open with' and click on 'Choose default program'.

In the Open With window, choose one of the recommended programs or browse for another program but, don't forget to select 'Always use the selected program to open this kind of file'. Press OK to open the file with the program that is now set as default for the specific file type.

If you don't select 'Always use the selected program to open this kind of file' the file will be opened with the chosen program but only this time. The selected program will not be set as default for that specific file type.

Conclusion

By using this method you get to set the default programs as you like and get rid of the limitations imposed by the Default Programs panel, which shows only a few of the installed applications. If you have any questions or problems about setting your default programs, don't hesitate to leave a comment.

Related articles:

How to Set Program Access and Computer Defaults
How to Set Your Default Programs in Windows 7
How to Customize the AutoPlay Settings
Customize File Types, AutoPlay & Default Programs Settings with Default Programs Editor