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File extension type associations are tech speak for assigning default apps for tasks within Windows. Most file types come with defaults programmed into Windows but you can select third party apps as you see fit. If you try a program and find you don’t like it, you can restore default file extension type associations in Windows 10. Here’s how.
Restore default file extension type associations in Windows 10
You can easily choose default apps within Windows 10.
1. Navigate to Settings, System and Default apps.
2. Select your app of choice in the right pane and click on it. A popup box with alternative apps should appear. Click on the one you want and it should then appear in the default box.
3. Repeat for all apps you want to use as defaults.
If, like me, you use the same computer for work and for development, it is helpful to keep copies of all your settings to quickly reinstate a known configuration. You can do the same with default file extension type associations. Here’s how.
1. Open a CMD window as an administrator.
2. Type or paste ‘dism /online /Export-DefaultAppAssociations:"%UserProfile%\Desktop\DefaultAppAssociations.xml’. This will make a copy of all the default file extension type associations in Windows 10 and place it on the desktop for future reference.
3. To import these settings, open a CMD window as an administrator.
4. Type or paste ‘dism /online /Import-DefaultAppAssociations:"%UserProfile%\Desktop\DefaultAppAssociations.xml’. The defaults should import using a process and then be reflected in Default apps.
More Windows tutorials can be found here:
How to re-register the Windows store in Windows 10
How to open the On Screen Keyboard in Windows 10 when your physical keyboard isn't working
How to change sync frequency of the Windows 10 Mail app
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