FILExt - The File Extension Source

Normally, to manage extensions and their associations you would have to either edit the registry or open Windows Explorer and select "Tools|Folder Options|File Types" and work within that menu structure.

Yes, a product makes that all unnecessary. The product name is Associate This by Spearit Software. Associate This is a complete manager for file types; it also monitors file types and flags any programs trying to hijack any, allowing you to reverse the change; and it adds a function to your right click menu allowing you to select the program you want to open a file type for which you have multiple programs.

Try it out from: Spearit Software

Alternatives...

If you are the hands-on type, there are programs that put a GUI front end on top of the registry editing procedure.

One is...

File Type Manager

...written by Frank Worsley. File Type Manager is a free program that puts a face on the registry entries controlling file type assignments. It also gives you some insight into what those mysterious CLSID entries are in your registry -- you know, the entries starting and ending in {braces} and containing seemingly random strings of characters. Using the program you can edit, add, or delete specific file type associations. However, to do so you really need to know something about what you are doing. You need to know just what values to enter into the various dialog boxes; if you don't you can make your computer unusable.

Another is...

ASHociation

...by Armstrong's Systems. ASHociation is a shareware program that also puts a face on the registry entries controlling file type assignments. It as well gives you some insight into what those mysterious CLSID entries are in your registry. Using the program you can edit, add, or delete all details (including the icon) for file type associations. However, to do so you really need to know something about what you are doing. You need to know just what values to enter into the various dialog boxes; if you don't you can make your computer unusable.

Before using any tools like these you might want to back up your registry just in case an error is made. Please see the discussion here...

http://www.theeldergeek.com/windows_xp_registry.htm

The rest of this article describes how to change file type associations manually.

Warning!
Adding, deleting or changing file extension associations can have unexpected consequences.
Do any of these things at your own risk!

There are different procedures for different operating system versions. Each is described here.

Windows XP

In general, you access file types via any Windows Explorer window...

• Open My Documents or My Computer from the Start menu.
• Click on the Tools menu.
• Click on the Folder Options item. A dialog box with tabs will appear.
• Click on the File Types Tab. Let Windows fill the information box.
• Scroll to the file extension in question.

• Use the Change button to make simple changes or the Advanced button to make detailed changes. (Sorry, FILExt cannot give you a tutorial on DDE messaging so know what you are doing if you attempt to make advanced changes that involve DDE message exchange.)

Show me a Flash movie describing the above.

A Shortcut...

If all you want to do is assign a known program to a given file type there is a way to do it that is somewhat simpler than the above.

• Open Windows Explorer and navigate to a location where a file of the type you want to assign is located.
• Then, right click on the file and select the Open With... option in the right click menu.
• Navigate to the name of the program and highlight it.
• Check the "Always use..." box and click OK.

Be very careful to not do this on any system file (particularly EXE, SYS, or DLL). You can easily disable programs if you do!

Show me a Flash movie describing the above.

Vista

Microsoft's Vista adds a graphic layer on top of the above and also adds a twist where you can, with one action, assign all file types a given program can open to be assigned to that program -- or, any portion of them.

To do either of these use the Start menu (on Vista that's the button in the lower left with the Microsoft logo on it). In the right menu select Default Programs. Then, depending on what you want to do, follow the sequence to the left (assign individual file extension associations) or to the right (assign total program default extensions).

How to Manage Directories and Files

While you can always just explore each directory in turn there is one program that does a good job of displaying and managing both files and folders on your system: FolderSizes

FolderSizes is a network-aware disk space analysis tool designed to help manage disk space usage. It can isolate a variety of space-wasting files (such as large, temporary, and duplicate files) – plus, it reveals file distribution by type, attributes, size, owner, date, or filename length.