Fix Broken File Type Associations in Windows 10

Learn how to repair broken file type associations in Windows 10 with this comprehensive guide. Whether you’re unable to open files with the correct programs or facing errors when trying to open certain file types, this tutorial covers everything you need to know. Dive deep into step-by-step instructions and essential tips for restoring file associations and ensuring seamless file handling in Windows 10.

Fix Broken File Type Associations in Windows 10

To Recover File Associations in Windows 10

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How to Recover Desktop Shortcuts and Set Default File Associations in Windows 10 🛠️💻📀

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File Associations For Ordinary Files

  1. Use the menu item «Open with». Right-click on the file, the association for which needs to be changed. From the list of suggested programs, select the application that suits your needs or look for another one.

    Open with Windows 10
  2. Launch Control Panel / Default programs / Set associations. To see which program opens this file type by default, click on the corresponding file extension. To change the default program, click on «Change program».

    Associate a file type or protocol with a specific program Windows 10
  3. Launch Settings / System / Default applications. At the bottom of the window that opens, select Choose default apps by file type.

    Computer Options Windows 10

Associations of Shortcuts, Folders and Executable Files

The methods described above are good when you deal with ordinary files (pictures, documents, audio files or videos etc). If folder, shortcut or exe.file associations are disrupted in Windows 10, you can correct such errors with the help of Registry Editor.

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Advanced users can do it manually. However, to save you the trouble of entering manually the corresponding values into the registry, you can also use ready-made .reg files which are meant to enter data into Windows registry.

Download such files and run them, or right-click on the required file and choose “Merge”.

Download such files and run them, or right-click on the required file and choose “Merge”

Agree to the security warning by clicking “Run”.

Agree to the security warning

Confirm making changes to the registry by clicking on “Yes” in the next window.

Confirm making changes to the registry

After that close the registry editor and restart the computer. As a result, associations for .exe and .lnk files should start working just as they did before.

If you have activated automatic creation of system restore points before, then you could correct the error of file associations much quicker by using these restore points.

Have you managed to recover your files associations? Leave your feedback and ask questions in your comments.

Vladimir Artiukh

Author: , Technical Writer

Vladimir Artiukh is a technical writer for Hetman Software, as well as the voice and face of their English-speaking YouTube channel, Hetman Software: Data Recovery for Windows. He handles tutorials, how-tos, and detailed reviews on how the company’s tools work with all kinds of data storage devices.

Oleg Afonin

Editor: , Technical Writer

Oleg Afonin is an expert in mobile forensics, data recovery and computer systems. He often attends large data security conferences, and writes several blogs for such resources as xaker.ru, Elcomsoft and Habr. In addition to his online activities, Oleg’s articles are also published in professional magazines. Also, Oleg Afonin is the co-author of a well-known book, Mobile Forensics - Advanced Investigative Strategies.

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