Default File Associations - Restore in Windows 8

How to Restore Default File Extension Type Associations in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

This tutorial will allow you to restore the default registry entries and program associations for the file extension type and protocol of your choice in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

This can be helpful for example when a file extension type opens with the wrong program by default, has the wrong icon, or is missing or corrupted in the registry. Downloading the .reg file for the selected file extension below, will restore that file extension back to default for all of these items above.

Default program associations for file extensions are a per user setting by default, so you will need to be logged on to the effected user account to be able to restore the default associations of the file extension for that specific user account.

   Warning

These default file associations should only be used in Windows 8 and 8.1.

   Note

The list of available default file extension and protocol associations below is just a start for now, and is a work in progress.

I'll constantly be adding more to the list, but if one you need is not listed yet below, then please post a request for it. I'll be happy to get it added to the list.

Here's How:

1. Click/tap on the link of the file extension type or protocol in the table below that you would like to restore the default associations of to download it's .reg file.

2. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

3. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to Merge it.

4. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

   Tip

• If you are signed in as a standard user account, then you will also get a Cannot import type error. Just click/tap OK for it. This is normal since what cannot be imported can only be done so by an administrator account instead. It will still restore the default associations of the file extension if the standard user used Open with to select the wrong program to open the file with.

• If the .reg file is not able to Merge, then double check in Default Programs to make sure that the .reg file extension has it's Current Default program set as Registry Editor (C:\Windows\regedit.exe). Afterwards, try merging the .reg file again.

5. Sign out and in, or restart the computer to apply.

6. If you are logged in as a standard user and this still does not help, then have the administrator also merge the needed .reg file for the listed file extension or protocol below while logged into their administrator account.

7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.




Default Windows 8 and 8.1 File Associations:

   Note

To download all available default file extensions in the table below in one ZIP folder, click on the Download button below and save the ZIP file to your desktop. Open the ZIP file, and extract (drag and drop) to your desktop any .reg file for file extensions you want to use. You can now pick up at step 3 above.

File Type or Protocol	Default Program	Description
.3gp	Video app	Audio and video container format developed by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP); designed as a multimedia format for transmitting audio and video files between 3G cell phones and over the Internet; commonly used by mobile phones that support video capture.
.avi	Video app	Audio Video Interleave (AVI) files
.bat		Windows batch file
.bmp	Photos app	Bitmap image file
.cab		Cabinet file
.cer	Crypto Shell Extensions	Security Certificate file
.cmd		Windows Command Script
.contact	Windows Contacts	Contact file
.cpl	Windows Control Panel	Control Panel item
.crt	Crypto Shell Extensions	Security Certificate file
.cur		Cursor
.dat		Generic data file created by a specific application; typically accessed only by the application that created the file; may contain data in text or binary format; text-based DAT files can be viewed in a text editor.
.dds		DDS (DirectDraw Surface) image
.der	Crypto Shell Extensions	Security Certificate file
Directory		Directory protocol associations
.dll		A Dynamic Link Library (dll) file is a support file used by one or more programs. Application extension.
Drive		Drives
.exe		Executable application files
.ext		EXT File. For example, email text attachment.
Folder		All folders except library folder
.gif	Photos app	Graphics Interchange Format (GIF) image files
.hlp	Windows Winhlp32 Stub	Help file
.htm	Internet Explorer	HTML (Hypertext Mark-up Language) document files
.html	Internet Explorer	HTML (Hypertext Mark-up Language) document files
http	Internet Explorer	URL: HyperText Transfer Protocol
https	Internet Explorer	URL: HyperText Transfer Protocol with Privacy
.ico	Windows Photo Viewer	Icon file
.img		CD or DVD image file
.inf	Notepad	Setup Information
.iso		Disk image file
.jpe	Photos app	Compressed image format standardized by the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG)
.jpeg	Photos app	Compressed image format standardized by the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG)
.jpg	Photos app	Compressed image format standardized by the Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG)
.jnt	Windows Journal	Windows Journal file
.library-ms		Library folder
.lnk (LNK)		Shortcuts
.m4a	Windows Media Player	MPEG-4 audio file.
mailto		URL:mailto
.mapimail		Mail service
.mov	Video app	Movie file
.mp3	Music app	MP3 sound format file
.mp4	Video app	MPEG-4 movie file
.mpg	Windows Media Player	Movie clip
.msi	Windows installer	Windows Installer Package
.msu	Windows Update Standalone installer	Windows Update Standalone Package
.nfo	System Information	System Information File
Open with - > Choose default program		This is for what opens when you right click on a file, click on Open with, and click on Choose default program.
Package		Package protocol
.pdf	Reader app	Portable Document Format (PDF) File
.png	Photos app	Portable Network Graphics (PNG) is a bitmap compression method for image files. PNG supports 16.7 million colors, it is lossless and also supports index color, grayscale, true color, transparency, and is streamable. It is thus the best compression method (better than GIF or JPEG) for use on the web.
.scr		Screen saver
.theme	Personalization CPL	Windows Theme File
.themepack	Personalization CPL	Windows Theme Pack File
.ttf	Windows Font Viewer	TrueType font file
.txt	Notepad	Text files
Type		To remove association with blank file extension.
.url	current default Internet Browser	Internet website shortcut
.vbs	Microsoft Windows Based Script Host (wscript.exe)	VBScript Script File
.vhd		Virtual Hard Disk image file
.wab	Windows Contacts	Windows Address Book (WAB) file
.wav	Music app	Wave audio file
.website	Internet Explorer	Pinned Site Shortcut
.wma	Music app	Windows Media Audio file
.wmv	Video app	Windows Media Audio/Video file
.workfolders	Windows Control Panel	Microsoft Workfolders
.xaml	Windows Presentation Foundation Host	Windows Markup file
.xml	Internet Explorer	XML Document
.zip		Compressed folders

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Set Your Default Programs in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Change Default Program of a File using "Open with" in Windows 8
• How to Associate a File Type or Protocol with a Program in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Unassociate a File Extension Type in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8
• Disable "You have new apps that can open this type of file" Notification in Windows 8
• Fix Open with "Choose default program" No Program Associated Error in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Do a System Restore in Windows 8 and 8.1

 

[Kknight78]

Hi Brink. I'm trying to merge the "Drive" association reg file, but I am getting an error message (I am an administrator and have tried in Safe Mode as well):

Cannot import Drive.reg: Not all data was successfully written to the registry. Some keys are open by the system or other processes, or you have insufficient privileges to perform this operation.
​

Any ideas? I'm getting the message when I plug in a USB drive that there is no program associated with this operation, so I'm assuming that it is the Drive association that is a problem. I've tried both the Folder and Directory associations and they merged without issue, but didn't fix the problem.

Thanks for your work!

​

 

[Brink]

Hello Kknight, and welcome to Eight Forums.

That error meant that there was a few keys in the Drive.reg file that are restricted to System access only in your registry. I've updated the Drive.reg file to not have them to be able fully merge now.

After you merge it, restart the computer to see if it may help with the USB issue. If you are able to open any other drive, then this will not help.

If you still get the error, then see if turning off AutoPlay as a test may help if it's something you may have set to open or run when a USB is connected.

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/30511-autoplay-turn-off-windows-8-a.html

Do you have this issue with this specific USB on any other computer?

 

[Kknight78]

Hi Brink,

Thanks, I'll try that.

No, this USB works fine with other (Windows 8.1) computers, it's just one specific computer that has this issue.

Thanks!

 

[rambomhtri]

Thank you so much Brink, thanks to this tutorial I fixed an incredibly annoying issue with mp3 files:
http://www.eightforums.com/general-...-1-all-thumbnails-working-but-mp3-s-ones.html

You rock!

 

[Night AoX]

I need to dissociate .part with 7-zip. Is there a way to do that without having to uninstall 7-zip?

 

[adamf]

I need to dissociate .part with 7-zip. Is there a way to do that without having to uninstall 7-zip?

You can associate it with something else or reset it to unknown application as described here (changing .idx for .part) windows 8 - reset file associations to default (idx opens w/ winRar) - Super User

 

[Night AoX]

I actually found the solution here How Do You Remove a Default File Association in Windows 7? while I was waiting for a reply. Funny thing I have to do this for people quite often but, it's 6 something in the morning soo yeah

 

[Brink]

Hello Casey,

Option One in the tutorial below may let you unassociate file types faster.

File Extension Type - Unassociate - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[Night AoX]

Yes -_- I love it when the softwares does it for me. Unfortunately these things aren't at the top of a Google search where they belong.

 

[rambomhtri]

This post saved my life

 

[taegutom]

i made a mistake when i was editing my registry file on Windows 8.1 and put the wrong value and now every time i try to use and EXE file it always ask for an association. I cannot do any anything that i know of to change this. I do not have a backup registry file. I cannot go to the command prompt, please advise

 

[Brink]

Hello Taegutom, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Are you able to download and merge the .reg file for the listed .exe option in this tutorial?

 

[Night AoX]

Hey Brink is this working for you in the latest builds? Because I couldn't get it to work in 8.1 but, the method I posted did work for me.

 

[Brink]

Hey Casey,

Yep, works just fine for me.

To unassociate .exe files wouldn't help Taegutom. Doing that would leave no association and basically the same error anytime he tried to open or run an executable file.

If he's not able to merge the .exe .reg file in the tutorial, then a quick system restore (at boot if needed) with a restore point dated before this happened should fix it.

 

[Night AoX]

I may actually be getting my wires crossed again. If I recall correctly, I had the same issue before and after removing the association of .exe in the subkey then setting it to C:\Windows\system32\explorer.exe reset .exe to open correctly but, I may be incorrect. But with the method here not working for me, I turned to Google and found an alternative method. I thought that might've been it which is why I posted it here today. I meant to post it a while ago but, it completely slipped my mind. I know the .exe uses explorer.exe to handle the opening of them but, I believe it's a little more to it than that. I'm gonna need a refresher course lol.

 

[taegutom]

Cannot merge the .reg file

i got the message Windows cannot find make sure you typed the name correctly and try again. I checked and the typing was correct: Command.Com it will NOT allow any exe or com file to execute

Hello Taegutom, and welcome to Eight Forums.

Are you able to download and merge the .reg file for the listed .exe option in this tutorial?

 

[Brink]

That doesn't seem to be consistent to click on the listed .exe link in the tutorial on the first page to download it's .reg, then merge it as per the tutorial.

 

[Sunnydaze]

Thank you thank you! After two hours of playing around with other programs.. your's is the only one that work and easy like within 4 minutes....you guys rock!

 

[Graham Clark]

Is there any sort of or searchable database for third party extensions, such as proprietary extensions only run in specific software?

 

[adamf]

Is there any sort of or searchable database for third party extensions, such as proprietary extensions only run in specific software?

well there is this Alphabetic File Extension List