It's a common scenario. You click on a file, just as you've always
done, but this time, the "wrong" program launches and you're both
confused and frustrated.
What happened?
Simple, your computer constantly keeps track of all of the software
installed you have, along with what types of files that software should
open. This list is commonly referred to as your "file associations"
and generally makes your life much easier.
Your systems "file associations" are the reason that whenever you
click on a JPG file (for instance) a particular program is used to
open and display the picture.
However, whenever you install (or uninstall) software, your system's
"file associations" are often changed in the process.
As a result, while you may have been perfectly content to have your
pictures viewed through your browser, all of the sudden they are now
opening with software you recently installed, PhotoShop or Paint Shop
Pro, for instance.
The good news is that you can change your systems "associations" anytime
you like, or simple deviate from them on an "as needed" basis.
The easiest way to execute this trick is to use Windows Explorer to
find a file that you want to open. Then highlight the file and press
and hold the "Shift" Key while "Right-Button" clicking your mouse.
The addition of the "Shift" key results in an additional item being
displayed in the down-menu, this being the option to "Open with..."
When you select "Open With" this will present you with a list of all
the programs on you system. From here, you can choose to open this
file with any installed program that is capable of working with the
file format in question, just this once.
If you decide that you always want to open this specific type of file
with a program other than what the current settings dictate, then
you can simply check the "always use this program" box and you're
computer will now "associate" this type of file with the program you've
selected.
Whether you need to restore your "file associations" to the way they
were before installing a new program, or simply wish to change the
way your computer opens certain files as a matter of preference, it's
completely under your control.
Published: July 9, 2002
Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.
