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windowsregistryfile-extensionfile-type

Where does Windows store its "Open With" settings?

I'm trying to programmatically check file associations by the file extension (for example .jnlp files). I keep reading that

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\JNLPFile\Shell\Open\Command

is the Registry key to check. However, if you change the association through Windows Explorer:

Open With > Choose Program > (Always use the selected program)

the change isn't at all reflected in this Registry key. Where else is this information stored?

Solution

  • Take a look in:

    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\

    and the sub-key of that is the extension you reassigned. Under that there will be the UserChoice and OpenWithList sub-keys which will contain your redefinition.

    You may also want to read http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950505 which talks about your issue.

    Update

    As of Windows 8, life has gotten far more complicated. To create an extension association a custom hash needs to get calculated.

    Fortunately, someone has reverse engineered the process and created a PowerShell script to do this without having to go through any GUI.

    You can find it at the following GitHub link:

    https://github.com/DanysysTeam/PS-SFTA