Windows 10 – How to Choose Default Program to Open Files

file associationwindows 10

Windows 10 has a dialog that asks

How do you want to open this file?

Here's a screenshot I found on the web:

enter image description here

I think it does this for every file type once.

Since I have a lot of types that basically open Sublime (js/java/cs/h/c/cpp/txt/md/…) this get's annoying quick.

Is there a way to get Windows to "keep using this app" without displaying the dialog for all file types that were known previously on Windows 8?

To be clear:

  • The file associations for all types has already been set (in Windows 8)
  • After upgrading Windows 10 asks again once for every file type showing a dialog with "continue using this app"
  • Since it already knows what app I want to use (hence the "continue using this app" part) how can I stop Windows from asking again?

Best Answer

  • Run / gpedit.msc (edit group policy)
  • locate and expand Computer Configuration / Administrative Templates / Windows Components now click on File Explorer
  • on the right panel, double click on "Do not show the 'new application installed' notification" and set it to "Enabled"

This policy removes the end-user notification for new application associations. These associations are based on file types (e.g. *.txt) or protocols (e.g. http:)

If this group policy is enabled, no notifications will be shown. If the group policy is not configured or disabled, notifications will be shown to the end user if a new application has been installed that can handle the file type or protocol association that was invoked.

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