How to Create a File Association in Windows 98 and Windows Me (306493)

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The File Types tab under Folder Options in Control Panel lists the file name extensions and associated file types that are registered with your operating system. A file type identifies the program that is used to open the file. When a file type is registered, information about which program is used to open that file (by default) is also registered.

Remove an Existing File Association

Windows 98 SE and Windows 98

1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Folder Options, and then click the File Types tab.
2. In the Registered file types list, click the file type or file extension that you want to remove, and then click Remove.

Windows Me

1. Click Start, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Folder Options.
3. Click the File Types tab.
4. In the Registered file types list, click the file type that you want to remove, and then click Delete.
5. Click Yes if you receive an Are you sure you want to remove this file extension? message.

Associate a File Extension with a File Type

1. In Windows Explorer or My Computer, locate the file for which you want to create a file association.
2. Right-click the file, and then click Open With. If Open With is not an option, hold down the SHIFT key while right-clicking the file.
   
   Open With should now be an option.
3. In the Open With dialog box, select the program that you want to use to open the file.
4. Click to select the Always use this program to open these files check box to make this the default program to open files with the same file-name extension.
5. Click OK.

The file now opens in the intended program.

For additional information about working with file associations, click the article numbers below to view the articles in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: