Changing The File Type Association Settings In Windows XP

A Windows operating system consists of multiple programs and applications. Each program is designed to run or play specific types of files. For instance, you need Windows media player or VLC player or other third party video player applications to run the video files. Likewise, you should have either the notepad or the MS Word application to open .txt file type. Well, as there are multiple programs and applications to run a single file type, you need to ensure that a specific program is associated with a certain type of file to open it with when you click on the same. For instance, you can set Windows Media Player or KM player as the default program to open your video files.
The process of setting a default program for specific file type is called File Type Association. The following instructions would help you change the File Type Association in your Windows XP computer. You may contact the Windows XP help for real time support.

Instructions

• Navigate to the Start menu and select My Computer from the resulting menu. 
• Locate and press the tab titled Tools, which is located in the main menu bar.
• Choose the Folder Options from the dropdown menu and press on the tab titled View. 
• Uncheck the box that says Hide extensions for known file types.  Now you would see the list of all the programs in your computer and their associated file types. 
• Exit the Folder Options screen after pressing OK. 
• Locate the file type, for which you want to change application and right-click on it. 
• Select the option titled Properties from the resulting dropdown menu. 
• Select the button titled Open with, which you would find in the Properties screen. 
• Verify whether the selected file has a file type association already set. If so, change the program to the desired one. 
• If the list of available programs does not display the program, you want to open the file type with, press the Browse button and choose the appropriate program from the list of installed programs in your computer. 
• Once you have selected the correct application, press on the OK button to continue. 

Following the above instructions, you would be able to change the File Type Association in your Windows XP computer. You need to get in touch with the Windows XP help line in case of any problems during the process.