Adding programs to "open with" menu?

Question

Is there are a way to add additional programs to the "open with" menu, instead of having to alway click the "choose another app" option. ~

Before anyone suggest it, i know once you choose another app you can click the box to always use that program for that particular file. But i don't want that.
In this case the files i am talking about are 3D model .stl files. I have a few programs on my computer that open these which i go between from time to time.
As you can see in the screen shot "meshmixer" is already in the list. But i also use programs/slicers called "Cura" and "chitubox" depending on if i am FDM or resin printing. So i want to add these programs to that list also.
As the Meshmixer program is in the list (and its not something that automatically comes with windows), then sure others can be added to that list too?

Thank you in advance for your time and help and forgive me if this is a bit of a silly question, as i'm not that technically minded when it comes to computers.

Answer 1

Hi TK, I am Paulo and I'd like to help.

You should be able to add a program in Open With if you're able to open the file with that app. Here are the steps:

• Right-click on any .stl file
• Hover on Open with > Choose another app
• Once the list of apps opens, scroll down and click More apps
• Scroll down again then click Look for another app on this PC
• Locate and choose the program
• Once the file has been opened by the app, close it and check if the app is now on the Open with list
• To locate the program, it would be easier to right-click on the app in the Start menu > More > Open file location.
• Once the File Explorer opens the list of Start menu programs, right-click on the shortcut of the app then click on 'Open file location' once again.

Answer 2

Hi TK, I am Paulo and I'd like to help.

You should be able to add a program in Open With if you're able to open the file with that app. Here are the steps:

• Right-click on any .stl file
• Hover on Open with > Choose another app
• Once the list of apps opens, scroll down and click More apps
• Scroll down again then click Look for another app on this PC
• Locate and choose the program
• Once the file has been opened by the app, close it and check if the app is now on the Open with list
• To locate the program, it would be easier to right-click on the app in the Start menu > More > Open file location.
• Once the File Explorer opens the list of Start menu programs, right-click on the shortcut of the app then click on 'Open file location' once again.

Thank you for the speedy reply, but this solution did not work.
The first set of instructions is the way i normally have to open these files with the various programs all the time and when it comes to the next time of opening them, those programs do not appear in the "open with" list the next time, hence why i posted the question.

With regards to the second part of the advise, Im not sure i understand what you are trying to explain there or its relevance. I followed the instructions and once i clicked on "open file location once again", ive simply got a window open with the programs location... to do what ?

Answer 3

If that didn't work, you can follow the steps in adding the program using the Registry Editor in the link below

https://www.technorms.com/26760/add-remove-prog...

(Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.)

Another alternative would be to use the Send To in context menu instead of the Open with. Just place a shortcut of the app in the sendto folder then right-click on the file > Send to > choose the app that you've placed.

• Press Window key + R then enter shell:sendto

Answer 4

If that didn't work, you can follow the steps in adding the program using the Registry Editor in the link below

https://www.technorms.com/26760/add-remove-prog...

(Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.)

Another alternative would be to use the Send To in context menu instead of the Open with. Just place a shortcut of the app in the sendto folder then right-click on the file > Send to > choose the app that you've placed.

• Press Window key + R then enter shell:sendto

As mentioned im not that good with computers when it comes to this stuff so those methods are somewhat confusing.
I tried following the steps in the link you provided and opened the registory editor, getting as far as opening the files for .stl's
After that it got confusing. But if i am understanding the article right, the things i need to add to the folder so they appear in the "open with" menu are actually already in there.
So not sure where i go from here?

Answer 5

I guess that would be too complicated for you. Here's another solution that I found. You can use a free tool to add the program in Open with. I just tested it and I was able to add an app immediately on the Open with. The tool doesn't require installation so you would only have to open it.

https://defaultprogramseditor.com

• When the tool opens, click on File Type Settings > Click on "Change Open with programs" (See image below)
• Select .stl file type then click Next
• Click on Add then locate the app
• Once done, click on "Save 'Open With' list

That's it.

(Disclaimer: This is a non-Microsoft website. The page appears to be providing accurate, safe information. Watch out for ads on the site that may advertise products frequently classified as a PUP (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on the site before you decide to download and install it.)