Ask a new question

Windows 11 file association problems

Windows 11 seems to experience a number of file association problems. For example: all image files are associated with ACDSee but the windows image print window appears whenever I double click an image file. Also: although Acrobat is the chosen pdf file viewer, instead I get the "select an app to open this .pdf file" window every time I double click a pdf file.

All files have the correct associations in their properties tabs, they show the correct icons and are correctly defined in the default apps section of settings. The fact that the associations are correct can be seen when the same files are opened in a file manager application like TotalCommander: there they launch the correct application. This seems to suggest that the error is with Explorer. But what could that be?

I tried repairing windows errors with DISC and SFC, but no result. Windows installation had no issues.

Can someone suggest a fix?

Thanks

Hello Alexis Lag,

Thank you for using Microsoft products and posting to the community.

Based on your description, I noticed that you are experiencing file association issues with Windows 11, and it seems that the problem only occurs when opening files from Windows File Explorer. We fully understand the inconvenience the issue has caused and that the current situation can be frustrating.  Sometimes corrupted user profiles can cause this issue, currently, I would like to suggest you try creating a new local administrator account and then see if this issue still exists in the new account environment.

Create a local user or administrator account in Windows - Microsoft Support

We appreciate your time and effort working on this issue. However, sometimes third-party applications within the system may cause corruption of system files which can trigger this issue. If the problem persists after creating a new account, then I would like to suggest that you try performing an in-place upgrade, which will refresh your Windows files and operating system without removing files or applications. You need to choose to keep files and applications in the next steps, just update all the system files are the latest.

If you have important data, it is recommended that you make additional backups to prevent accidental loss of your data. Also make sure your system disk has enough free space, at least 40GB.

1. Download ISO

Visit Download Windows 11 (microsoft.com) and click "Download Now" under “Create Windows 11 Installation Media” to download MCT (Media Creation Tool).

Then run the program, select "Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD or ISO file) for another PC”, and then choose Language, Version, Architecture(if you are not sure about these, choose "Use the recommended options for this PC"), then select "ISO file" in the "Select Media to Use" interface, and then a windows ISO file will be downloaded to your disk (about 4-5GB in size, it is recommended that you choose a non-system disk).

2. Choose to override the system

After the download is completed, double-click the ISO file, double-click to run "setup.exe" in the open file explorer, and select "Change how Windows Installer downloads updates" > "Download updates, drivers and optional features", Select "Keep personal files and apps" after accepting the terms of the agreement, then click "Next" > "Install". Then the system will reboot a few times, and then enter the welcome screen.

Hope you are keeping safe and well. Please feel free to let me know if you have any further updates, thanks. 

Sincerely

Mavis - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Hello Mavis,

thanks for the input. Unfortunately none of your suggestions helped. In the end I managed to solve the problem by enabling all explorer extentions and context menus that I had disabled with apps like CCleaner.

Thanks anyway.

Alexis

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

Hi Alexis Lag,

It's great to hear from you and to know that your issue has been resolved. Thank you for sharing your solution with us, I'm sure it will help other users in this forum who are experiencing similar issues.

Do not hesitate to ask the community at any time in case you have any questions in the future.  

Thank you again for your contribution to building the Microsoft community and helping other users!

Hope you are keeping safe and well. 

Was this reply helpful?

Sorry this didn't help.

Great! Thanks for your feedback.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback, it helps us improve the site.

How satisfied are you with this reply?

Thanks for your feedback.

 
 

Question Info

Last updated April 22, 2025 Views 1,691 Applies to: