You may have noticed that sometimes, you are unable to change the default program extension on Windows 11/10. This is especially frustrating if you are trying to open a program that should have been opening in a different application, let’s say a text file in Notepad, but instead, it opens in a completely different program stripping away the ability to alter the file. In this post, we have given a workaround that allows you to change program extensions using Registry Editor.
Unable to change Default Program Extension in Windows
When I tried to change it back to Outlook under the Properties of that file the change option was grayed out
So I tried right-clicking on the file and clicking on the “Open With” dialog box because there is a change box that says, “Always use the selected program to open this kind of file.”
Strangely, that checkbox was grayed out, as well. When I select Outlook, it opens fine, but I was just unable to set it as the default option.
So I went to Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Default Programs\Set Associations and tried to change it there, but sadly I was again unable to. I was totally stumped because the UAC was turned off, the user is a Windows administrator – so there was no reason for the option to be disabled.
That’s when I remembered that there is an option in the Windows Registry, where you can change it. So I opened the registry and navigated to the following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts
Here you have to your extension and then go to a key called “UserChoice”.
What this registry key does, is if you change the Default file extension, Windows creates this key and adds the value there.
On the right-hand side you’ll see a string value “Progid” under that value you’ll see the current program that is associated with it. So I tried to change that value but it gave me an error: Cannot edit Progid.
Now I realized what was wrong! For some reason, that specific registry key doesn’t have permission to change the file extension, and that was the reason why those options were grayed out for me. So I took ownership of the parent key and inherited the permission.
Now I could delete the “UserChoice” key. Once I deleted it and I rebooted the system. And voilà – now I got this window!
Once I selected the correct program, I made it as default, and it stayed.
I hope this becomes helpful for someone who runs into a similar problem.
Read: File Association Fixer for Windows
How do I change the default app for extension in Windows 11?
To change the default app for any extension in Windows 11, you can use the Settings app. Then, go to Apps > Default apps. From Set a default for a file type or link type, search for the link you want to configure, click on it, and set its default app.
Read: Remove unwanted programs from Recommended Programs List in the Open With box
How do I reset the default file extension type associations in Windows 11?
To reset all default file extension types in Windows 11, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps. Now, scroll down to reach Related settings, and then click on Reset from Reset all default apps. This will reset the default file extension.
Also Read: How to dissociate File Types in Windows.
Thanks! I was having a problem where all .theme files opened up with explorer.exe. I am going to change it to shell32.dll after reboot.
Wow, nice job. I hope I never have this problem, but if I ever do, at least I know what to do, that is if I can find this article again!
Thanks for sharing your experience.
Thanks for this! I somehow associated my video files to open with windows explorer and it wouldn’t let me change it.
Deleting that registry key did the trick though, so thanks again!
sir all the program of my system have been defaulted to window media center.. if i try to open any program in my system its opened by w.media center. like opera, Google chrome, system restore, please help me out
hey how could i able to delete that registry key..??
all the program of my system have been defaulted to window media center.. if i try to open any program in my system its opened by w.media center. like opera, Google chrome, system restore, please help me out
not even able to open regedit. media center is opening it on behalf of any other thing
this happens to me with all programs in default programs list… what do i do then?
You did it! All the Windows forums couldn’t help me at all. Extensions were ghosted out in all the default programs and file associations tools, or when I’d change the default program to open the extension, nothing would work. I then found this permissions problem. This was happening with .WAV files. Unassociated the extension, and re-associated, and it finally works!
Hats off to ShyamS@TWC for this most useful ‘unable to change default program’ howto guide. Took me straight to the solution at this end. Good show.
Just delete the UserChoice and set the default again by double clicking the file.
my computer is also opening the registry with notepad plz tell me how to open it
See the last 3 links in the post. Use https://www.thewindowsclub.com/file-association-fixer-for-windows-7-vista-released
I don’t have a “User Choice” under that key.
Amazing, worked like a charm! Thank you!!!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, worked great!
Oh my gosh I spent HOURS trying to fix this, sooo frustrating and this solution worked! I am so nervous about working with registry keys but the backup and system restore point ideas gave me the confidence I needed to try this out and it worked like a bomb! THANK YOU SOOO MUCH!!!!!
It is good thing, I had same problem but now solved. I made one change at FileExts… I simply found the extension type that was creating problem and deleted its complete value from registry. Next time I opened that program without restarting system and problem was solved.
Thanks…
Thankyou very much Captain Jack!!! I was facing this same problem and It was very annoying. Your solution worked for me. Thanyou!
what file?
I deleted userchoice, restarted the computer, and no box showed up…(yes I realize this was 2 years ago)
Had an association with .iso’s to an incompatible software left over from upgrade to windows 10.. Your fix worked a treat and the default mount option returned since I could not manually associate iso’s with the explorer exe!
This made my day.
All .jpg files were opening in “Microsoft Office 2010” on my Windows 7 machine. I could not change the default program via normal means. Then l I found this solution.
Thanks!
This worked like a charm!
Somehow I had .dwg files defaulted to Solidworks, and it wouldn’t let me switch the program.
It was driving me bananas!!
Thanks Captain Jack!
You make my day! I spent hours trying to fix pdf ext issues in explorer in Windows 10 October 2018 Update. (clean installation) Thanks.