Can't change back default programs for a file type

Question

I'm using a program that uses ".cap" files.  It's is really just a zipped file containing an images folder and an xml file.  I wanted to unzip it without installing a third party app, so I set it to open with windows explorer.  (I've since installed 7 zip and was able to extract the contents.)  Now I can't change it back and when I try to open any cap files normally it opens about 30 instances of windows explorer and showes a perpetual loading wheel.  I can open it normally by manually selecting the appropriate program and sometimes it does open after double clicking, but it takes 5-10 minutes and clearly there's something wrong/ sometimes nothing happens.

Also the file icon has changed from the old capstone logo to a windows folder.  When I try to say open with, the "Always use the selected program..." field is grayed out and inactive. 

I've tried reinstalling the program, but I don't think that's the cause here/ no change.

Please let me know if you have any ideas!

Thanks a great deal,

Evan Lewis

Answer 1

Try this tool:  https://types.en.softonic.com/?ex=REG-60.0

It's a tool that lets you edit file associations.  I think if it were me, I would do this:

1. Make a system restore checkpoint, just in case.
2. Use this tool to remove the association for .cap files entirely.
3. Try using the regular "open with" to choose a new default

Answer 2

Ah very cool.  Somewhere there's another similar tool that looks very much like an Aero-UI style wizard, looks like it'd fit right in Vista days.  I can't recall the name of it, but it was super user friendly if I could ever find it again.

Answer 3

Thanks that did the trick!

Couldn't  figure out how to remove the association with types.

managed to change the icon back with it though.

Used this tool instead "http://www.winhelponline.com/blog/unassociate-file-types-windows-7-vista/"