Default Programs - Associate a File Type or Protocol in Windows 8

How to Associate a File Type or Protocol with a Program in Windows 8 and 8.1

information   Information
A default program is the program that Windows uses automatically when you open a particular type of file.

This tutorial will show you how to associate a file extension type or protocol to always "open with" a program of your choice by default in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

Note   Note

  • These Default Programs association settings are only applied to your user account and will not affect other users on the PC.
  • The program that you select as the default for the file extension type or protocol must support opening that file extension or protocol in order for the program to be able to open it. For example, a .TXT will open with Notepad or Wordpad, but it will not open with MSPaint.





OPTION ONE

Associate File Type or Protocol with Program in Control Panel in 8/8.1


1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Default Programs icon.​
2. Click/tap on the Associate a file type or protocol with a program link. (see screenshot below)​
step-1.jpg

3. Either double click/tap on the file extension or protocol, or click/tap on the file extension or protocol and click/tap on the Change Program button of the one you want to change the "current default' program association of. (see screenshot below)​
step-2.jpg

4. If the program you want to associate is not listed, then click/tap on the More Options link if available. (see screenshot below)​
step-3.jpg

5. Click/tap on a listed program that you want to associate. (see screenshots below)​
Note   Note
If the program you wanted to select is still not listed, then you could do either option below if available.

Note   Note

  • Click/tap on Look for an app in the Store to go to the Store to search and find an app to install, then start this tutorial over to select the new app to be associated as the default program.
  • Click/tap on the Look for another app on this PC link, navigate to the program's exe file, select it, and click/tap on the Open button to have it associated as the default program.

step-4A.jpgstep-4B.jpg

6. If you associated a program, then you will see this below as "Set Associations" updates and reloads.​
step-6.jpg

7. Repeat the steps above if you would like to associate another file extenstion or protocol to be opened with a different program of your choice by default.​
8. When finished, close the "Set Associations" window. (see screenshot below step 3)​





OPTION TWO

Associate File Type or Protocol with App in PC Settings in Windows 8.1


1. Open PC settings, and click/tap on Search & apps on the left side. (see screenshot below)​
Default_Apps_PC_settings-1.jpg

2. Click/tap on Defaults on the left side in "Search & apps", and do step 3 or 4 below for how you would like to choose a default app by. (see screenshot below)​
Default_Apps_PC_settings-2.jpg

3. To Choose Default Apps by File Type
A) Click/tap on the Default apps by file type link at the bottom. (see screenshot below step 2)​
B) Click/tap on the current default app or + Choose a default of the file type name that you want to change the default app of, then click/tap on a listed installed app that you want set as it's default. (see screenshot below)​
C) When finished setting file type associations, go to step 5 below.​
File_Type.jpg

4. To Choose Default Apps by Protocol
A) Click/tap on the Default apps by protocol link at the bottom. (see screenshot below step 2)​
B) Click/tap on the current default app or + Choose a default of the file protocol name that you want to change the default app of, then click/tap on a listed installed app that you want set as it's default. (see screenshot below)​
C) When finished setting file type associations, go to step 5 below.​
Protocols.jpg

5. You can now close PC settings if you like.​



That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

  • Default_Programs.png
    Default_Programs.png
    11 KB · Views: 412
Last edited by a moderator:
Hi Brink,

Thanks for the quick reply, however, it did not remove the association. I received an Error (16) - some registry keys could not be removed.

Any other recommendations?
Thanks again
Nick
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
In that case, download and merge the .reg file below, and restart the computer afterwards to fully apply. It will strip out the most common association references for the .tcx file that should hopefully do the trick for you. :)

View attachment unassociate_TCX.reg
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Brink,
That has deleted TCX. files from the associations list altogether which is fine.

However, when I then open a TCX downloaded file it still automatically defaults and opens with wordpad.

Any other options?

Thanks again
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
Odd. It shouldn't open with anything by default if unassociated, and ask you what you want to open it with instead.

If you like, do a search for .tcx[/B ]in Registry Editor using the Find and Find Next feature, and delete all .tcx keys found. There may be a stray one out there causing this.

Registry Editor - Find and Find Next

Be sure to create a restore point before doing this in case you may need to use it to undo a mistake. Best to be safe. :)

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/4690-restore-point-create-windows-8-a.html
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Strange, no other tcx files found. Its almost like TCX files dont exist on my computer now, which is actually what I want, however, any tcx file that I run, still defaults and opens in notebook, even though the tcx doesnt actually exist.

Headscratching now!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 8
I'm not sure what else to suggest other than to do a system restore using a restore point dated before you mistakenly set .tcx files to open with Notebook.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Does anyone else think this part of windows is a epic fail?
try copying a programs executable of a mentioned in the default program list to another directory and point the association there, more likely it will fail to associate. (see what i mean run a associated file look at task manager see where program file location)
microsoft should at least show the path of the default program (if changed) to counter this or at least say the change was not made because it didnt.
hope they listen for windows 10 since problem win 7/8 cant remember if vista had same.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 64-bit
Does anyone else think this part of windows is a epic fail?
try copying a programs executable of a mentioned in the default program list to another directory and point the association there, more likely it will fail to associate. (see what i mean run a associated file look at task manager see where program file location)
microsoft should at least show the path of the default program (if changed) to counter this or at least say the change was not made because it didnt.
hope they listen for windows 10 since problem win 7/8 cant remember if vista had same.

It fails because that's not how associations work.

You would need to install the program to the location you want instead of copying it there. Copying will not work. :(
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    64-bit Windows 10
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom self built
    CPU
    Intel i7-8700K OC'd to 5 GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus XI Formula Z390
    Memory
    64 GB (4x16GB) G.SKILL TridentZ RGB DDR4 3600 MHz (F4-3600C18D-32GTZR)
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS ROG-STRIX-GTX1080TI-O11G-GAMING
    Sound Card
    Integrated Digital Audio (S/PDIF)
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 x Samsung Odyssey G7 27"
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung 990 PRO M.2,
    4TB Samsung 990 PRO PRO M.2,
    8TB WD MyCloudEX2Ultra NAS
    PSU
    OCZ Series Gold OCZZ1000M 1000W
    Case
    Thermaltake Core P3
    Cooling
    Corsair Hydro H115i
    Keyboard
    Logitech wireless K800
    Mouse
    Logitech MX Master 3
    Internet Speed
    1 Gb/s Download and 35 Mb/s Upload
    Browser
    Internet Explorer 11
    Antivirus
    Malwarebyte Anti-Malware Premium
    Other Info
    Logitech Z625 speaker system,
    Logitech BRIO 4K Pro webcam,
    HP Color LaserJet Pro MFP M477fdn,
    APC SMART-UPS RT 1000 XL - SURT1000XLI,
    Galaxy S23 Plus phone
Back
Top