Say, when you open the .jpg file, it’s most likely opened in the Photos app. Similarly, a .txt file will open in Notepad. This is what file association is, a particular file type configured to open using a certain program. But there are times when you install a new program more suited for a particular file type. Maybe, you install a photo editor and want to open all .jpg or .png files with it for editing. Under the current system settings, these formats will be opened using the default file associations. This is why it’s imperative that you understand how to change, remove, or reset file association in Windows 11. In the following guide, we will tell you how to do that.
Do the changes I make to file associations apply to all user accounts?
The answer is No. File associations are limited to a particular user account and changes to it wouldn’t reflect across the system. For instance, you may configure the file associations such that Google Chrome opens .html file type on the current account, while another user on the same system may have Microsoft Edge set as the default application for the same file type. In case you want the changes across the system, you will have to make these to the individual user accounts.
How do I remove file associations in Windows 11?
1. Via Settings
Using Settings is probably one of the easiest ways to remove and create new file associations in Windows 11. But, it’s certainly not the only one. We have listed the other ways in the following sections, go through them all and use the one that suits you best. SPONSORED
2. Via Control Panel
You will now be redirected to the Settings window and can follow the steps listed in the previous method to remove file associations in Windows 11. The Control Panel previously had a built-in option to remove file associations but it’s been removed and you are now redirected to Settings.
3. Via Registry
Once done, the changes will start to reflect and the file associations will revert to the default configurations. If you want to change the file association for that particular format in the future, follow the steps listed in the first method.
How can I reset file associations in Windows 11?
After you have reset file associations in Windows 11, they will revert to the apps recommended by Microsoft. If you want to change the file association for a particular format, we recommend changing it individually, rather than resetting the whole lot. These were all the ways you can remove file associations in Windows 11, along with resetting them in case they are misconfigured. Also, check how to set the default applications on your Windows 11 system. Besides, if you find the File Association Helper software on your computer, learn all about it and the process to uninstall it. Do not hesitate to tell us which of these methods you prefer to remove file associations in the comments section below.
Name *
Email *
Commenting as . Not you?
Save information for future comments
Comment
Δ
