Changing file associations in windows xp

Below is what I arrived at. Has anybody else here noticed how brilliant microsoft virtual machine server is for testing? I made a very basic test machine setup and then each time I want to test something I can make a new differencial virtual hard disk from the origional! At the same time, however, since it isn't going to HKCU, you don't have to wait for the user to log in to kick off the script.

Just use group policy to assign it as a startup script on the machine level not user level. That's the critical difference between a computer startup script and a user logon script. Startup scripts are supposed to run with system credentials local system. You could always belt-and-suspenders your efforts by assigning another script to the user to take care of the HKCU side of things. It'll kick off when the user signs in and since it's writing to current user, they should have no permissions issues.

Also, as a member of Experts Exchange, and I reference them here in the sw community a lot, I just want to point out you don't need to cheat using google cache. You can easily gain a permanent free membership just by answering a few questions no more than a dozen and they don't have to be hard ones.

Once a member, you can stop answering questions if you don't want to participate But it's worth it to join and they deserve your support if you're going to use them at all. To continue this discussion, please ask a new question. Get answers from your peers along with millions of IT pros who visit Spiceworks. I want to change my file association for. However, the buttons to accept this change are grayed out. I am logged on as an Administrator. How do I solve this problem?

Share Flag. All Comments. Collapse -. Kind regards, David 0 Votes. Chas 0 Votes. Registry edit for XPpro SP2 possibly other versions. You will now see the file extension with each file saved in your computer. In order to change the file type association, you need to right click any file with file extension you want to associate with your desired program. That list will include most of the programs that are designed to play your selected file type.

You should consider selecting one of them. List of Partners vendors. By Tim Fisher. Tim Fisher. Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire.

Reviewed by Ryan Perian. Tweet Share Email. The whole process takes less than five minutes. Setting a program's default file association does not restrict other programs that support the file type from working. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Tell us why! More from Lifewire. Excel or Word Won't Open? How to Disable Error Reporting in Windows. How to Properly Reinstall Software in Windows.

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