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[TUT]How to change default program for an extension if basic ways don't let you[PICS]

Hello fellow HF members,

This is my first tutorial. I am actually writing this because I just encountered that problem and I think it may help other people like you if it happens as well.

What I call the basic ways are:

1) Going to Task Manager -> Default programs
2) Right click on a file -> open with -> Choose default program
3) Right click on a file -> properties -> Change
4) Going into the program settings and selecting associated extensions

So the other way to do that is by going into Regedit and editing the corresponding key. I will be showing you how to do it for the .rar extension.
Here is how:

1) Open Regedit
Spoiler (Click to View)

2) Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\*w​hatever ext you need to change*\UserChoice
Spoiler (Click to View)

3) The key named Progid is the one indicating what program to associate with the extension.

4) Right click -> modify and enter the path to the program you want to associate.
Spoiler (Click to View)

If you get an error, keep reading. Otherwise you are done! (the default icon of the file may not have changed, so to make sure it worked, open the file). Please leave feedback saying your opinion, if something needs to be changed/added or else. Thanks for reading!



*In case you get an error*


After you tried modifying the value of the key, you might get this error:
Spoiler (Click to View)

If so, you need to change your permissions regarding that key. Just do as follow:
1st method

1) Right click on UserChoice -> Permission
Spoiler (Click to View)

2) Select your user account and enable Full control
Spoiler (Click to View)

2nd method (skiddie way)
Download this tool: RegOwnit (all credits go to Lee Whittington, the programmer)
No need to detail this, the tool is easy to use and self explanatory.
Here is a scan from novirusthanks:
Spoiler (Click to View)
And Anubis scan (so the more paranoids won't have to do it)

Please leave feedback saying your opinion, if something needs to be changed/added or else. Thanks for reading
Thanks for this method OP, Works great!
(Dec 5, 2012 09:07 AM)Mr Happii x Wrote:  Thanks for this method OP, Works great!

Thanks for feedback. I'm glad I could help
Thanks for the tut ill try this out later
This shit is useless -.-'
But its great HQ tutorial :D
(Dec 27, 2012 06:10 AM)Dimipele Wrote:  This shit is useless -.-'
But its great HQ tutorial :D
Haha, well it can be handy for someone once in awhile, just like for me.
Thanks for the feedback :)
I've tested before and it works very well, thank you very much for this Tutorial :)
Great tutorial man, thanks for posting this :)
nice tutorial thanks for share this


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