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Can't get a file association to work with notepad

Anonymous
2010-04-01T07:48:47+00:00

I can't get a file association to work with notepad++, but the program works normally otherwise. Other file associations are fine eg i can set .gif to whatever i like and it will open that program consistently, but setting .xml to open notepad++ has no effect; the program is not listed in "open with", not even under "othe programs", despite clicking "browse" then the application name as i would under win xp.

Strangely, right click "edit with notepad++" works, but is clumcy when you need to open dozens of xml files at a time like i do.

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-04-11T11:03:48+00:00

    Hello alep omega,

    I would set all of the program associations to default and see if that helps to resolve your issue.

    To reset default associations:

    Open control panel and select view by: Small icon

    Click “Default Programs”

    Click “Set your default programs”.

    From the left column, select the program that you want to change it’s default file associations for.

    Now click “Choose default for this program”. Check the extensions that you want to associate as default files for this program.

    Click “Save” button.

    If all of the default file associations are set to Word, then change them to the appropriate program.

    Please reply back with an update.

    Sincerely,

    Marilyn

    Microsoft Answers Support Engineer

    Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-01-27T23:50:25+00:00

    Try to run notepad++ as administrator, and set file association then. Worked for me.

    10+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2017-11-06T09:34:23+00:00

    This solution: 

    https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/2159999/sometimes-you-can-not-associate-a-program-with-an-extension-in-windows

    worked for me.

    I had to replace in filepath "Program Files (x86)" to "Program Files"

    Probable explanation is that I used to have 32-bit version and installed 64bit afterwards.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2012-03-10T22:02:40+00:00

    Hi, Here is a setup to set notepad++ as default program for several binary types.. It also adds it to default program lishttt in Vista and 7. So you can go to Start>Default Programs> Set Default Programs and select file types among 50 supported formats. (If doesnt work in 7 turn off UAC and try again) Download: 

    http://sourceforge.net/projects/pcstarters/files/FileAssociation/notepad%20%20%20Associations/notepad\_file\_assoc.exe/download

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2010-04-01T08:00:09+00:00

    What happens when you go the Control Panel->Default Programs route?

    All answers and suggestions are provided by an enthusiastic amateur and are therefore without warranty either explicit or implicit. Basically you use my suggestions at your own risk.

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