File associations in Windows 10 not working

Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft Community.

Let me answer your query about File associations and .scr file type.

Please be informed that the “Open With” menu option is not available when you right-click executable files (.cmd, .bat, .pif, .scf, .exe, .com, or .scr), or shortcuts to executable files.

When you tried to change the default program to Notepad from control panel (Associate a file type or protocol with a program), did you get any error message?

Which file types indicate "Unknown application"?

Please check if you get the “Open with” option for other file types like .PDF or .JPG.

If you are not able to use “Open with” option with other file types, you may create a new user account and check.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-10/getstarted-set-up-accounts

Hope the information helps, do reply if you need further assistance.

Thank you.

How to change SCR file association to AutoCAD script file instead of Windows screen saver | AutoCAD | Autodesk Knowledge Network : https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-change-SCR-file-association-to-AutoCAD-script-file-instead-of-Windows-screen-saver.html

1. When I tried to change the default program to Notepad from control panel (Associate a file type or protocol with a program), I did not get any error message.

2. I have over 300 file types that indicate "Unknown application".

3. I do get the “Open with” option for other file types like .PDF or .JPG.

If I set up another account, will the file associations be the same as the root registry keys?

Do you know if Microsoft has a fix to resolve all the "Unknown application" issues?

>> Do you know if Microsoft has a fix to resolve all the "Unknown application" issues?

This is not at all an issue. Certain files types don't have ProgID mappings and not associated by default, but the extension is registered for other purposes.. For example, .asp files aren't associated with any program by default, but Windows sets a Search Filter DLL reference for this file type so that Windows Search finds text within this file (using the HTML filter)

Such file entries are listed as "Unknown application". That's just an example.

Another case would be when a program is uninstalled and its file type registration is intact in the registry, pointing to a non-existent executable, that's is classified as "Unknown application".

>>  but I had already deleted the scr keys and then associated them with Notepad

Ok. Here is another way.. and easier too.

To associate .scr files with Notepad, open a Command Prompt (Administrator) and type in:

assoc .scr=txtfile

to revert back to defaults, type:

assoc .scr=scrfile

.scr files are Screensaver files (executable) files in Windows, and that's the reason "Open with" is not there in the right-click menu. Same for .exe / .com etc.

Despite the problem in the gif below, it actually worked correctly for me. I had to restart explorer.exe for my .py Python file to change on my desktop. 

This is not just an ACAD issue but is associated with the green bar of death/"working on it for hours issue".

this is the second time this has happened to me, happened after major update over a year ago, and seems to be back after the last update.

Please fix - extremely annoying, loss of productivity and a BASIC function of the OS.

FIX IT!!!

There is four  things below The (Choose the Programs that windows uses by default) in windows 10 .

1) (Set your default programs) , which has a green check mark in the little icon on the left side , next to the (Set your default  programs .)

2)( Associate a file type or protocol with a program) does

not have green check mark on the left hand side .

3) (Change Auto play settings) has a green check mark .

4) (Set Program access and computer defaults) has a green check mark next to it on the left side.

When I click on number 2 above nothing happens . It will not open or let me do anything .