Computer files, such as .mp3 files, .doc files, .jpeg files, .pdf files, and others, typically need a program associated with them in order to work properly. For example, an MP3 file, which is a music file, needs some sort of a media player program before you'll hear the music. Likewise, a.doc file, which is a Word document file, needs a word processor to open. When files do not open, there are several possibilities to explore. The first is, do you have the right program? If you do, but the program will not open the file, then there are two additional possibilities: the file is either damaged or the computer has lost its instructions covering how to deal with that file type. Lost file associations are common. Not only can the file association be broken altogether, it could simply be wrong. For example, your media player may launch instead of Word whenever you click on a .doc file.
What Causes File Association Problems?
When the computer no longer handles a file type as it should, there's usually a problem with the file association. Computers have instructions telling them which programs to use for the different file types. A computer crash could damage these instructions, malware could make changes to these instructions, or even a friendly program that you've recently installed on your computer. For example, a new media player may make itself the default program for all media types including music, video, and photo files. However, you may prefer your old media player.
Solving File Association Problems
Fortunately, unless the file is damaged, changing a file association is relatively simple. For example, if your .doc file association has been changed to open some other word processor instead of Microsoft Word, you can easily change it back to Word. Start by finding a .doc file in Windows Explorer. Instead of double-clicking it (which would normally launch the file's associated program, right-click it. A sub-menu will now appear. Depending on your operating system, you'll see a choice such as Open or Open With.
The steps vary slightly by operating systems, but they are close. Choose the Open option and you will then see a list of programs that Windows believes might be good choices. In our example, you might see Microsoft Office or OpenOffice.org in the list. If the program that you want is listed, you'll select it from the list, making sure to place a mark in the box that asks if you want this to be the new default program for the selected file type.
If the program is not listed, click the Browse button and browse your computer for the correct program. Once found, select it and choose the option that makes it the new default program. This option is usually a small line of text next to a check box. While it may not be as obvious as some Windows selection options, it should be there. Once selected as the new default, the file's association will be set to the desired program.
Default Programs
You can also set file associations in the Default Programs center found in Windows Vista and Windows 7. To do this, go to the Start button and type the words "Default Programs" into the Search area. Click the Default Programs icon followed by Associate a File Type or Protocol with a Specific Program. A list appears detailing nearly all of your computer's file extensions along with the program currently set as the default. Find the file type that you want to change and click on Change Program. From there, you can specify the program that you want to use with the file extension. Make sure to place a check mark in the "Always use this program for this file type" area.
If your computer suddenly doesn't know how to deal with a file type, try restoring its file association. This simple procedure often solves the file association problem once and for all. In the future, when a new program asks if you want it to be the new default program, think about it before you click OK.
Celeste Stewart writes for Filetonic.com where you'll find a huge File Extension Library and loads of free computer advice. You can even write in and "Ask a Tech Jock" for specific answers to your computer questions.
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