How do you remove programs from "Open With"?

[Beelz]

I have no clue on how to do it. I have plenty of programs
in the "Open With" window for Windows XP. It is all
useless. I opened a file that required opening it with a
list of programs. I opened it with "Notepad" and now it
shows the icon for notepad for that file. I want it back
so it shows the "Uknown Application" icon. Someone please
help me.

 

[Kelli Zielinski [MSFT]]

Beelz, you seem to be asking two questions here.

1) To remove programs from open with, you can go into the registry. Be
aware that this can be risky and not something you want to do often if you
can help it.

There are directions at http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=258860 - it
doesn't say Windows XP, but this will work for it as well. Be warned that
certain programs will always appear.

2) To change your program back, open an explorer window, and go Tools -
Folder Options. Go into the File Types tab, and choose the extension you
want to put back to unknown application. Then, hit delete.