File Associations

[Mike Sumner]

I had some problems with improper file associations
before, but after installing SP2, the bump in the road
became a mountain.
When I go into my file manager (windows explorer)and
click on any .txt file instead of opening it with notepad
it opens it wordpad.
In previous Windows versions there were files that
you could go into and change file associations. I have
searched through XP and can not find such a file.
Can anyone help me find a way to tell my computer
which program I WANT IT TO USE to open files by their
extension.

 

[Alan Wilson]

Windows Explorer, Tools menu, Folder options, File Type tab. Find the file
type you want and then click on the Change button and select the program you
want to launch this file type..

 

[cquirke (MVP Win9x)]

I had some problems with improper file associations
before, but after installing SP2, the bump in the road
became a mountain.
When I go into my file manager (windows explorer)and
click on any .txt file instead of opening it with notepad
it opens it wordpad.

Testing this on my own test XP SP2 PC, I don't see that, when I test
with small .TXT (big ones always got pushed to WordPad).

In previous Windows versions there were files that
you could go into and change file associations. I have
searched through XP and can not find such a file.

Windows Explorer; Tools, Options, File Types tab

That's the "front door" and it looks like it works as always, but as I
don't want to change my .TXT (which is in any case Notepad.exe) I'm
not going to pick a fight with it right now ;-)

Can anyone help me find a way to tell my computer
which program I WANT IT TO USE to open files by their
extension.

Try the "front door" as described as above - and if that behaves
differently post-SP2, then follow up in this thread with details!

-- Risk Management is the clue that asks:

"Why do I keep open buckets of petrol next to all the
ashtrays in the lounge, when I don't even have a car?"