How to Remove File Association Windows 10

In the Windows Operating System, you will notice that you can only open certain files with certain apps! For example, a photo file will only open in a photo viewing app! This is known as a file association that links your file to a certain application. In the same manner, when we see a file type association it will link a type of file with a compatible application.

The filename extension is what will determine the file type and the simplest example is that when you see the name of a file and it has .docx at the end, it is associated with Microsoft Word. The important thing to remember that you might have multiple associations for a single file in the way that it executes various actions.

When we look at sorting files using file type association is can be quite advantageous. However, the issue here is that this might also get corrupted and this might cause chaos since now the corrupted file will be opened with an app that it is not meant to be compatible with.

If this happens to you, then you need to be aware of how exactly you can remove the file type associations for the file. With today’s article, we will be showcasing how you can Remove file associations Windows 10.

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How to remove file association Windows 10?

Method #1 : Using Microsoft defaults

Here are the steps you need to follow to remove file associations Windows 10 using Microsoft Defaults:

For the first step, hold down both the Windows and I keys so that you can open Settings. Then click on APPS.

Next, you can click on the Default apps button in the left window pane.

Finally, select the option for Reset in Reset to the Microsoft recommended defaults.

After that, you have officially removed file association on Windows ten and all the file type associations have been reset.

Method #2 : Use the Windows Registry

If the last method has not been to your liking, you can also remove file type association in Windows ten, using the Windows Registry. Here is what you need to do to remove the file type association:

First, press and hold down the Windows and R keys together so that the Run dialog appears.

For the next step, you will then type in regedit and select the OK button. This will launch the Registry Editor.

You will then add this path below to the address bar:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts.

Press Enter and make sure that it is typed as it is since it is case sensitive.

After this, locate the file extension under FileExts key, and right-click it to finally click on Delete.

Your last step is to restart your Windows ten device and this will implement the changes.

If you prefer a more hands-on approach to remove the file association from your files in Windows 10, we suggest you opt for this next one!

Method #3 : Use a manual way via an app

Launch Notepad, select File, and click on Save as.

Then you will type the file name with its extension (e.g. file.xyz)

Then you can also select the location where you want the file to be saved.

Your next step is to click on All Files in the Save as type. Then you can click on Save.

Right-click the file and click on Open with. You can then select the option for Choose another app.

Check the box for, “Always use this app to open .txt files” and then click on Look for another app on this PC.

Locate the file that you saved above and after selecting that file you can click Open.

When you open it, it will show an error. Here’s where you move on to remove the file associations.

You can then delete the file you created and doing this will allow the file you selected to make another file association. This time, you can choose which app it should open in.
Unless you want to make this app the default, remember to right-click and then choose the option “Open with” then select Choose another app.

Since you want to make it a default, you can then select, “Always use this app to open .txt files” and choose the app that you want to use.

Finally, to implement these changes, reboot your Windows.

This has been our thorough review on how to remove file association in Windows 10 using 3 different methods! We hope that this article has highlighted key points on file associations and it will enable you to successfully tackle the process yourself!