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How to restore 'Set Associations' for .blend files (Blender 3D)?

Anonymous
2011-05-09T01:08:37+00:00

I'm using Blender for 3D stuff. In the last 6 months or so, the developers have published some beta versions, and some months ago I downloaded a beta version (in ZIP format, the preferred way to install it in Windows according to Blender) and I unzip it in the Program Files folder. Then I added Blender in the right click > Open with... dialog for open .blend files, and everything worked fine: the .blend files having a nice icon, double click a .blend file and automatically open in Blender, etc.

Unfortunately, now that I downloaded the most recent beta of Blender (2.57) and unzip it again in the Program Files folder (I deleted the previous beta version manually) I cannot add Blender in the Open with... dialog, and now the .blend files have not a nice icon, neither can I open it with double click.

So my question is how can I add Blender to the "Open with..." dialog again?

Thanks for any help or support

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-07-16T18:39:01+00:00

    I have find actually an even better solution, it is something the Blender installer does at the end of the installation.  Try running the blender.exe with -r switch. that should associate the .blend files with blender.

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  1. Anonymous
    2011-08-02T05:12:18+00:00

    Thanks a lot Medard!! that fixed the file extension issue:

    C:\Program Files\blender-2.58-windows64>blender.exe -r

    Registering file extension...success (user)

    And now Blender appears in the "open with" dialog!

    Thanks again

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  2. Anonymous
    2011-06-29T18:01:56+00:00

    Ok I figured it out. Run the regedit and check HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and look for blendfile. Make sure it goes like that keys go like that->  blendfile/shell/open/command. Inside the command key edit the default string, pointing it to the executable of the current version of Blender (eg. C:\Programs\Blender\blender.exe %1). 

    Now when you double-click on any .blend file and the Blender should be on the list.

    Doesn´t seem the right way to do it, but it works. I´m still wondering why the Windows won´t let me associate .blend files with Blender normally, even if i delete all registry keys pertaining to Blender.

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  3. Anonymous
    2011-05-12T01:08:03+00:00

    Thanks David,

    Unfortunately the problem persists, when I browse to find the program and I click Open, the program does not appear in the Open with dialog. I don't know how this works, but is like Windows stored the old "blender.exe" association, and now that I want to add the newest "blender.exe", I can't.

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  4. Anonymous
    2011-05-09T15:53:38+00:00

    Hi Jose,

    Follow the steps provided below and check if that helps.

    If a program does not show up in the list, you can make the program a default by using Set Associations.

    1.       Open Default Programs by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Default Programs.

    2.       Click Associate a file type or protocol with a program.

    3.       Click the file type or protocol that you want the program to act as the default for.

    4.       Click Change program.

    5.       Click the program that you want to use as the default for the file type you selected, or click the arrow next to Other Programs to show additional programs.

    6.       (If you don't see Other Programs, or your program is not listed, click Browse to find the program you want to use, and then click Open. If no other programs are installed that are able to open the file type or protocol, your choices will be limited.)

    You may refer to the link provided below for more information.

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Change-which-programs-Windows-uses-by-default

    Click OK.

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