Windows File Association

If you double-click on a file (such as: .doc, .mp3, etc.) in the Windows Explorer, generally the application that created that file will be launched, and the file you selected will be opened in it. This feature is called 'file association'.

The Windows file association feature is not perfect, and sometimes requires some fine tuning depending on how many applications you install on your computer. What I mean is that if you have multiple applications that you use to play your audio and video files, you can occasionally run into problems when you want a specific application to play them.

For example, I have Windows Media Player, Quicktime, and the Real Media Player all installed on my computer. Although, they all compete to play specific file types (such as: .mpg, mp3, etc.). Personally I like the Windows Media Player, but if I am not careful when I install updates to these applications, they will try to associate these media file types with themselves.

Changing the file association:

• Double-click 'My Computer' in the Start menu.
• In the Tools menu, select 'Folder Options...'
• Select the 'File Types' tab, then wait for Windows to build a list file types.
• Find the file extension (such as: .mp3, jpg, gif, etc.) you want to change and select it.
• Press the Change button, in the dialog that displays select an application that you want to use to open the document and press the OK button.
  

Another alternative to changing the file association:

• Right-clicking any file, and select Properties.
• Press the Change button, in the dialog that displays select an application that you want to use to open the document and press the OK button.

Note: If you can't find the application that you want to use to open the document, press the Browse button and select the program that you want to use open the file.