You will now be presented with a window where you can browse to the executable that you wish to use to open these types of files. To change the default program to one of these unlisted programs, simply click on the Browse. This does not mean, though, that there are not other programs on your computer that can properly manipulate the file as well.

In this screen you will see a section called Recommended Programs that contains known programs that can properly open and manipulate the file in question. You will then be shown the Open with dialog as shown below. To change the default program that this file is opened with, please click on the Choose Program. You will then be presented with a screen similar to the one below that shows the available programs that you can open the file with. To change the default program a file type is opened with, search for the file you wish to change and right-click on it to bring up the file menu as shown below.Īt the above menu, please select the Open with menu option. How to change file associations by right-clicking on a file in Windows XP This tutorial will explain how to change the default program that is associated with an extension as well as assigning a program to an extension that Windows does not know about. It is possible, though, to change the default program that is opened when you click on a file.

When you double-click on a file in Windows XP, the operating system will automatically open the file using a program that has been is associated with the file's extension.

How to set the default programs for an unknown extension in Windows XP.

How to change file associations through the Set Associations Control Panel in Windows XP.

How to change file associations by right-clicking on a file in Windows XP.

Windows default program to open files