file associationwindows 7
Is it possible to easily change all file type associations that are currently associated with one program to another program in one batch? In my case, I am trying to change all files types currently associated with Notepad to instead use Notepad++ in Windows 7.
It's a pain to go through Default Programs > Set Associations because after each type the entire list re-populates, taking several seconds. Is there a way I can do a search and replace in the registry, or something even easier?
I also needed to create a REG_NONE key in HKCR.
Using regedit I found an existing file association within HKCR that had a REG_NONE key under its OpenWithProgIDs branch (e.g. HKCR\.mp3\OpenWithProgIDs). I exported this registry to a .reg file.
Then, I used notepad to edit the exported file and changed the branch to match the location where I wanted the REG_NONE key. I deleted all the other keys listed except the one REG_NONE key I wanted. If you need to rename the REG_NONE key do that as well.
Import the file back into your registry and it will add the new key value as REG_NONE.
The .reg file looks like:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\..etc..\keyname]
@=hex(0):
Change ..etc..\keyname to the actual key name. @=hex(0): is the line which creates the REG_NONE element.
Default Programs Editor can do what you need:
Default Programs Editor makes it easy to fix file association settings in Windows, including context menu items, icons, and descriptions.
Best Answer
In many programs you can set file types associated with the program itself from settings. For example in Notepad++ you can go to Settings -> Preferences and select tab File Association. There you can add files that should be associated with notepad++.
This is not direct answer to what you asked but it should accomplish the same task. In case the program you want to set associations with doesn't have this option you will have to use your method.