Whenever we use "Open With" option to open a file in Windows, it shows a dialog box containing a list of installed programs to choose from. There is also a checkbox "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file" given at the bottom of this dialog box which is used to set the selected program permanent to open that file type.
Sometimes it gets irritating when we accidentally select a program from the list and click on "OK" button. It sets the selected program as default to open that file type which adds some extra work to our life.
So here I'll tell you a simple registry trick to permanently disable this checkbox:
For Windows XP:
Method A:
1. Type regedit in RUN dialog box and press Enter. Now goto:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shell\openas\command
2. In right-side pane, change value of "Default" key to as following:
%SystemRoot%\system32\rundll32.exe %SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL %1 %2
NOTE: We have only appended %2 at last of default value. You can use any number from 2-9.
3. Exit registry editor and try to open "Open With" dialog box. You'll find that the checkbox is disabled now as shown in following screenshot:
Method B:
1. Type regedit in RUN dialog box and press Enter. Now goto:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer
If the "Explorer" key is not present, create it manually.
2. Now in right-side pane, create a new DWORD value NoFileAssociate and set its value to 1
3. Exit registry editor and try to open "Open With" dialog box. You'll find that the checkbox is disabled now as shown in following screenshot:
For Windows Vista, 7 or Server 2008:
Method A:
1. Type regedit in RUN dialog box and press Enter. Now goto:
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shell\opendlg\command
2. In right-side pane, change value of "Default" key to as following:
%SystemRoot%\system32\rundll32.exe %SystemRoot%\system32\shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL %1 %2
NOTE: We have only appended %2 at last of default value. You can use any number from 2-9.
3. Exit registry editor and try to open "Open With" dialog box. You'll find that the checkbox is disabled now as shown in following screenshot:
Method B:
1. Type regedit in RUN dialog box and press Enter. Now goto:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ Policies\Explorer
If the "Explorer" key is not present, create it manually.
2. Now in right-side pane, create a new DWORD value NoFileAssociate and set its value to 1
3. Exit registry editor and try to open "Open With" dialog box. You'll find that the checkbox is completely removed now as shown in following screenshot:
NOTE: As you can see, when we use Method A to disable the checkbox, the "Open With" dialog box doesnt show recommended programs list which it does when we use Method B. Also if you see the last screenshot of Windows Vista, the Method B totally remove the checkbox instead of disabling it.
BONUS TIP: This tutorial can also be used in reverse condition. e.g. if this checkbox is already disabled in your Windows and you want to enable it, then you can remove the %2 mentioned in Method A or set value of DWORD value to 0 as mentioned in Method B.
This article was posted by VG in following section: Troubleshooting, Windows 7, Windows Vista, Windows XP.
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Deyaa Addeen Fahmy Shedeed
Good Bless you .
Paige Davis
Hello webmaster...Man i love reading your blog, interesting posts ! it was a great Friday .
maylay
Was wondering, since for a program that box is all ready disabled, if there was a way to enable it?
Simon R
Great article, thankyou. Is there a way of resetting an 'open with' back to default?
My check box was ticked and I clicked too quick!
darkyndy
Hi,
I have a problem on Windoes 7 Pro with .avi files. The "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file". I've tried method A and B (in reverse mode), I've tried from "Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Default Programs\Set Associations" and I cannot change my actual default program. Do you have any idea what I should do?
VG
^^ Your desired program should have an option in its Settings to associate it with avi and other media files.
Someone
Like darkyndy's problem. but with Windows Desktop Gadgets.
n00b_lame
darkyndy
try right-click on *.avi > properties
on the top, file type, opens with > press button change, select what needed
StupidUser
How can you set the checkbox to default to UNchecked, but still have it enabled so the user can check it?
Someone
Is there anyway to reverse this? Meaning that you enable a checkbox that is disabled already.