How do I create a default association for files with no extension?
September 6, 1999
A. Normal files with an extension can have a program associatedhowever this is not the case with files that don't have an extension. If youdouble click on one and select an application and check the box to always usethat application it is ignored and every time you select a file you have tochoose the application.
You can force this using the registry:
Start the registry editor (regedit.exe)
Move to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
From the Edit menu select New - Key
Enter a name of '.' and press Enter (don't type the quotes)
Select the new '.' key
Double click the (Default) value
Change to the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT used to open, e.g. NOTEPAD for the notepad.exe application
NOTEPADClick OK
Click here to view image
If you now double click on a file with no extension it will open with theapplication selected.
To check what an existing application used look at its entry underHKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, e.g. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.doc uses Word.Document.8 so if youwanted this as your default editor you would change HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.(Default)to Word.Document.8.
Any method which avoids the need to edit the registry is as follows:
Open Explorer - View - Folder Options... - File Types - New Type:
Description of type: Text (any description, you can type in)
Associated extension: . (just a period)
Actions: - new...
Action: open
Application used to perform action: c:winntotepad.exeClick ok, then ok again
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