Restore default file association in Windows Vista and Windows 7

Windows Vista and Windows 7 allows you to change the program used to open a file. Sometime We set wrong association with file type and there is no option to revert back to default settings. So here is the only way to do that.

How To:

1. Run Registry Editor and navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\[Extension]
2. Expand the [extension] key and choose UserChoice key and delete all its sub keys
3. If it doesn’t work, delete the UserChoice key itself.

NOTE: To revert back to all default file association as we get after fresh clean installation of Windows Vista, We can delete all sub keys under FileExts.

Applies To:

Windows Server 2008 R2
Windows 7
Windows Server 2008
Windows Vista

15 responses to “Restore default file association in Windows Vista and Windows 7”

jsmith0552

2013-10-12

Thank you. This is the clearest tutorial on how to fix this problem that I’ve found.

I was beginning to think I was screwed!

Reply
faiq

2013-08-04

wheres the extension ?

Reply
problem

2013-06-03

it didnt work for me … i dont get it

i did everything and the notepad just came back every time and nothing changed in the first place.. then i deleted whole .sav and the notepad persisted … though i successfuly removed acrobat reader

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adas

2013-03-27

ok now no extension..

Reply
adas

2013-03-27

FUCK WHERE IS EXTS

Reply
dutty

2011-10-23

ok i found it its, regedit.exe when read registry editor taught it was another file.. thanks works..

live saving tutor

Reply
dutty

2011-10-23

and how to get the registery editor.. i searched from start its not on windows , must i have to download it.. thanks awaiting reply

Reply
1. adas
  
  2013-03-27
  
  regedit.exe
2. adas
  
  2013-03-27
  
  or just download
dutty

2011-10-23

am on server 2008 r2, i have a file which is supposed to run with python.. but i mistakely set to cmd.. and when i go to control panel and try change it has the always use the selected program to open this file pre-saved that i can’t thick it anylonger , and for that reason i can’t run the script has it keeps opening in cmd… pls help

Reply
Craig Twedt

2011-01-26

This post saved me a lot of trouble. Solution worked fine. Thank You! Regards, Craig

Reply
Renaisan

2010-10-16

but, i cant open the task manager…what should i do?

Reply
1. Author
  
  2010-10-19
  
  What happens when you try to open/run Task Manager?
  Use Ctrl+Shift+Esc shortcut key or Right click on Taskbar and choose Start Task Manager