HOW TO: Change File Associations in Windows 2000 (320033)

SUMMARY

This article describes how to change which program is used to open a file in Windows 2000. For example, you can specify that files with a certain extension open automatically in a specific program. You can also modify an existing file type to change its association with a program.

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How to Change a File Association

You may want to change the association of a file name extension from one program to another program. To change an existing file association:

1. In My Computer or Windows Explorer, right-click a file with the extension whose association that you want to change, and then click Open With.
2. In the Open With dialog box, click the program that you want to use to open the file type. Or, click Choose Program to choose the program that you want. If the program is not listed, click Other to locate your program.
3. Click the Always use the selected program to open this kind of file option.

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How to View File Name Extensions

The file name extensions of known file types are hidden by default. "Known file types" includes file types that are associated with a program. To see all file name extensions:

1. Double-click My Computer.
2. On the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
3. Click the View tab, and then click to clear the Hide extensions for known file types check box.

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How to Create a File Association for an Unassociated File Type

You may want to create a file association for a file type that is not known to Windows 2000 by default. There are two common reasons for this action:

• A program (typically a database program) produces file reports with extensions that are not registered in Windows 2000.
• You receive e-mail message attachments that were created in a program that is not installed on your computer. The file name extension is not registered, but you have a program that can open these files.

To create a file association for an unassociated file type:

1. In My Computer or Windows Explorer, right-click a file with the extension whose association that you want to create, and then click Open. Or, double-click the file.
2. In the Open With dialog box, choose a program to associate with this file name extension. Click the Always use the selected program to open this kind of file option.

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