Restore default file association on Windows 7

Hi,

Basically you need to restore the default File Associations.

When you double-click an .EXE file, the program may not launch, instead it may open in Notepad
(displaying the .exe contents), or may launch in any other application.
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/exeasso.htm

When you run an .exe file on a Windows Vista-based or Windows 7-based computer, the file may
start a different program
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950505

Restore the .exe file association in Windows Vista, after incorrectly associating it with another application
http://www.winhelponline.com/articles/165/1/Restore-the-exe-file-association-in-Windows-Vista-after-incorrectly-associating-it-with-another-application.html

Restore Default Windows 7 File Extension Type Associations
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19449-default-file-type-associations-restore.html

How to Set Default Associations for a Program in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/2630-default-programs-set-programs-default-associations.html

How to Unassociate a File Extension Type in Vista and a utility to help (Windows 7 too)
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/91920-unassociate-file-extention-type.html

How to Change the Default Program a File Type Opens With in Windows 7 http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/12196-open-change-default-program.html

How to Associate a File Type or Protocol Default Program in Window 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9154-default-programs-associate-file-type-protocol.html

How to Hide or Show Known File Type Extensions in Windows 7
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/10570-file-extensions-hide-show.html#post101629

Hope this helps.

Hi michaelwilliams,

Method 1: Run the fixit available in the link below and check if that makes any difference- Worth a try
Fix broken desktop shortcuts and common system maintenance tasks

Note: Fixit would try to recover bad sectors on the hard disk, during this process there are chances of DATA loss from that particular sector.

Method 2: You may refer the steps provided by Shinmila H in the link below

 http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-files/wrong-file-association-every-application-tries-to/c72d3210-b4a4-4d09-b5e9-85d793ff18a5

Thanks and Regards:

Ajay K

Microsoft Answers Support Engineer
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