How to Remove File Associations in Windows

Sometimes, Windows can mistakenly associate files with specific programs, making it inconvenient to open them as intended. In this guide, we’ll explore how to remove or change file associations in Windows so you can configure your system exactly as you like.

Method 1: Using Windows "Settings"

  1. Click Start and go to Settings.
  2. Navigate to the Apps section and select Default apps.
  3. In the Choose default apps by file type section, locate the file extension you want to change.
  4. Click on the current program and select Reset or choose another program to change the association.

This method is a quick way to change the association for a specific file type, but it may not work if you want to completely remove the association.

Method 2: Using the Registry Editor

This is a more advanced method and requires careful attention, as making incorrect changes in the registry can cause issues with your system. It’s recommended to back up your registry before making any changes.

  1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
  2. Navigate to the following path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts.
  3. Find the folder with the file extension you want to delete the association for (e.g., .jpg).
  4. Delete the UserChoice key to reset the file association.

Once you delete this key, the file association will be removed, and Windows will prompt you to select a program the next time you open this file type.

Method 3: Resetting All File Associations

If you want to reset all file associations to their default settings, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings and go to Apps → Default apps.
  2. Scroll down and click Reset under Reset to Microsoft recommended defaults.

This feature will restore file association settings to the default Windows programs, which can be helpful if you’re experiencing issues with multiple file types.