Default file association does not work

Question

Default file association does not work

DH 40

Hi, I'm using Windows 11. This is about a program I installed myself, so not Office related. I went to my Settings, to Default Apps, put in the - whatever it is called - the bit at the end of a file name, starting with a dot. I chose the program I want the files to open with and pressed on "set default". Every time I go into my settings, it's there, so it seems to have worked. But when I click on one of those files, strange things happen: Instead of it opening directly with the chosen default program, I am given a list of program options to open this file with. On top of that list is the one that I had already set as default. It comes up twice though which is a bit strange. At the bottom, there is only a button saying "just once". When I click on "just once", the file still doesn't open. Instead, the same list, with the "just once" button, appears again. And again. I attach a picture of that list (I hope this works).just-once.png

When I open the program first, I can then open the same file from there. So there is nothing wrong with the file. But obviously, I would also like it to open directly, when I click on the file in my file explorer.

I have wondered if the fact that the program appears on the list twice is a sign for a problem. I read that if a program is installed twice, at different places, that can cause problems. There is a chance that I may have done so. But when I go into my list of programs in the control panel, this program shows up only once. So I assume it's only installed once, and the problem must be a different one.

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Answer 1

Ramesh Srinivasan 80,890 Independent Advisor

I see what has gone wrong. The file association report you posted is for .knit2 Whereas we need the report for .knt2.

Can you please upload it?

Ramesh Srinivasan 80,890 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-17T14:27:53.7933333+00:00

Did you see the above post?
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T14:33:41.5366667+00:00

Ooooo, how incredibly stupid of me! This is what I did wrong all this time when trying and re-trying to associate. I am so, so sorry for making you go through all that for such a stupid mistake.
I'm not quite sure what you mean when you ask me for the report for .knt2
But what I just tried was to go to the settings and set the file association default there for .knt2 Then I trid to open a .knt2 file by double-clicking on it. Something completely different happened, and I'm not sure if you can help me with this. It may be an issue for the Stitchmastery programer instead. It's a bit complicated to explain.
So, on my old laptop I had custom made stitch libraries in the Stitchmastery program. On my new laptop I haven't tried to import those stitch libraries in the program yet.
When I first open the Stitchmastery program, and then open a file from there, it tells me that the stitch library I used isn't there but that it will open the file with the default stitch library instead. I click "ok", and the file opens.
When I now double click on the file in my file explorer, I get the same box saying that the stitch library isn't there and that it will open with the default one (I supoose that means that the file association works now!?) but when I click "ok", the file/the program don't open. Nothing happens at all, only the box about the stitch library disappears. Does that still have to do with the file association?

If you still want me to upload the report for .knt2, please let me know how? Is that a report we already did, or do I need to make that report first? Sorry, total confusion.
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T14:35:15.91+00:00

To clarify: I do not have any .knit2 files - at least I don't think so.
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T14:35:33.1733333+00:00

I just made a typo... :-\
Ramesh Srinivasan 80,890 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-17T14:37:08.0766667+00:00

Is that a report we already did, or do I need to make that report first?

The report you sent was for .knit2 file type.

In the following screen, you may have inadvertently typed .knit2 instead of .knt2.
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T14:39:19.7+00:00

knt2.txt
Ramesh Srinivasan 80,890 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-17T14:43:36.5433333+00:00

Here's the next fix.

Please download knit2_asso_fix2.txt

Import it in Regedit.exe like you did before.
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T14:48:08.2+00:00

Ok, now I got a box asking me to choose an app to open with. So I chose Stichmastery.exe and clicked on "always".
I am getting the same problem that I described above. I get the pop up box from Stitchmastery telling me that the stitch library isn't there and that it will open the file with the default stitch library instead. When I click "ok", the box disappears but Stitchmastery doesn't open.
I don't think this has to do with file association anymore?
Ramesh Srinivasan 80,890 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-17T14:50:05.2566667+00:00

I don't think this has to do with file association anymore?

Exactly. We've fixed the file association part.

The latest error is not related to associations. It's something related to the configuration of that app.
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T14:55:43.9166667+00:00

Sorry, my mistake again. Too difficult to explain, what I did wrong. But it does work now. It opens.

I am very grateful for all your hard work! In the end, the only problem seems to have been that I typed .knit2 instead of .knt2 when making the file association. I apologise again for making you do all this stuff for me for my silly typo. You did definitely solve the problem though and I would like to credit you for that. What do I do (my first time here on the community)? I suppose I should click on accept answer and click "yes" for it did solve the problem? Anything else I can do for you?
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T15:03:21.74+00:00

I just see from an old screenshot that it wasn't only a typo. I had done an ssociation for .knt2 too which didn't work. So you have obviously done more than just make me aware of a typo.
As above, when you get a minute, just let me know if there is anything else I can do to credit your efforts, other than clicking that your answer solved the problem.
Ramesh Srinivasan 80,890 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-17T15:05:50.9+00:00

You're most welcome. I'm glad to have helped. :)

just let me know if there is anything else I can do to credit your efforts, other than clicking that your answer solved the problem.

That should be enough.

Regards,

Answer 2

Hi, This is Ramesh.

The duplicate app entries need to be removed from the registry.

I read that if a program is installed twice, at different places, that can cause problems.

Yes, that's quite possible. Let's first determine the list of file association entries for the .knt2 file type. Please do the following:

Download FileTypeDiag and run the program.

In the text box, type .knt2 and click Save.

enter image description here

It outputs a file association report for the said file type. Upload the file in your next reply.

Standard Disclaimer: There is a link to a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to provide accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Products).

Answer 3

DH 40

Thank you for your message, Ramesh. I attach the text file you requested.knit2.txt

Ramesh Srinivasan 80,890 Independent Advisor

Thanks for the log. Please open Command Prompt and run these commands:

reg query HKCU\SOFTWARE\Classes\Applications\Stitchmastery.exe /s
reg query HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Applications\Stitchmastery.exe /s
reg query HKCU\SOFTWARE\RegisteredApplications /v *
dir /a "C:\Users\dagma\Documents\Stitchmastery\StitchmasterySoftware\Stitchmastery.exe"

Copy the output to a text file and upload it in your reply.

DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T13:18:47.4833333+00:00

How do I copy it? I highlight it, and then I right-click - but that just removes the highlighting.
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T13:19:36.2066667+00:00

I mean copying the output - I had no trouble copying and pasting your commands.
Ramesh Srinivasan 80,890 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-17T13:20:46.9466667+00:00
After running the commands:

Right-click on the Command Prompt's title bar, and select Edit → Select all.

Right-click on the Command Prompt's title bar, and select Edit → Copy.

Open Notepad and paste the contents and save the file.
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T13:23:49.3+00:00

Thanks for the tip to right-click the title bar. After that, it was "export text" actually - which was pretty self-explanatary. Command Prompt.txt
Ramesh Srinivasan 80,890 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-17T13:25:52.9866667+00:00

The last command didn't execute. I guess Enter wasn't pressed after the last command. Please run it and post the output.
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T13:30:25.0133333+00:00

I keep getting "the system cannot find the path specified." See at the end here: Command Prompt 2.txt

Am I doing something wrong?
Ramesh Srinivasan 80,890 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-17T13:32:13.2733333+00:00

You did it correctly. The file doesn't exist in that path.

Can you tell me the exact path to the Stitchmastery.exe executable?
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T13:34:02.5166667+00:00

Eh? Sorry, I half understand it. I kind of know what a path is. But what is Stitchmastery.exe "executable"?
Ramesh Srinivasan 80,890 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-17T13:34:38.3233333+00:00

I mean where is Stitchmastery.exe located and how do you open that app?
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T13:39:48.24+00:00

Ok, I try. I think this is what you need? C:\Users\dagma\Documents\my docs\knit\fingertips\Stitchmastery\StitchmasterySoftware

I open it with a desktop link.
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T13:43:04.8433333+00:00

In case it's relevant: There are two stitchmastery exe files. stitchmastery-3.2.3-windows-installer.exe is in the Stitchmastery file and Stitchmastery.exe is in the StitchmasterySoftware folder
Ramesh Srinivasan 80,890 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-17T13:43:05.4233333+00:00
Thanks. The following fix should help.

Download knit2_asso_fix.txt to the desktop.

Open Regedit.exe. This launches the Registry Editor.

From the File menu in the Registry Editor, click Import...

Browse to the desktop and select the knit2_asso_fix.txt to import it. If you get any errors, please mention that in your reply.

Exit the Registry Editor.
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T13:48:38.77+00:00

when I click import, I'm only given a list of folders, no individual files, to choose from. I tried saving your file somewhere else but the same happened.
Ramesh Srinivasan 80,890 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-17T13:50:57.0433333+00:00

In the Import.. window, please choose the All files option.

Then select the desktop folder.

knit2_asso_fix.txt should appear in the listing.
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T13:53:40.15+00:00

I don't get anything looking like this. I get:
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T13:55:03.9166667+00:00

sorry, found it. will try if it worked
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T13:56:51.2133333+00:00

Nope. Now I get this box. And the same is happening again: Whenever I click on "just once", the box disappears a split second and then the same box comes back again. And again. Nothing opening.
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T13:57:30.59+00:00

Sorry, the box:
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T13:59:10.7933333+00:00

Maybe because there are bits missing from the path? Again, it's: C:\Users\dagma\Documents\my docs\knit\fingertips\Stitchmastery\StitchmasterySoftware
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T13:59:50.0566667+00:00

It's a long path, I admit... I do like my folders and sub-folders ;-)
Ramesh Srinivasan 80,890 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-17T14:01:07.7866667+00:00
We got rid of two other entries.

Please run:

reg query HKCR /f stitchmastery /s

Copy the output to a file and upload it.
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T14:08:00.1633333+00:00

What do you mean with "We got rid of two other entries."? (Do I need to know?)

Command Prompt 3.txt
Ramesh Srinivasan 80,890 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-17T14:10:42.61+00:00

Looks like the file I sent you wasn't imported correctly.

Did you get any message when importing the file?
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T14:13:39.8033333+00:00

There was a message. I think it just said that something was imported. Should I try again, and copy the message for you?
Ramesh Srinivasan 80,890 Reputation points Independent Advisor

2026-03-17T14:13:44.93+00:00
Ok. From Command Prompt (admin), please run this command exactly:

reg delete "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\knt2_auto_file" /f
DH 40 Reputation points

2026-03-17T14:15:09.93+00:00

It just says "The operation completed successfully."

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Default file association does not work

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