File Associations Keep Reverting to Windows 10 Defaults

The title says it all. If I am to believe the Internet about this matter, countless users of Windows 10 struggle with the same problem.
Whatever one tweaks, whatever one does, even deep down into the registry, Windows keeps reverting to its file association defaults, for example its dreadfully clunky Paint 3D app for most graphic files and photos, and the even worse Edge for, say, pdf files. Ladies and gentlemen, I really want to use the applications I choose for such files - and not what Microsoft wants to impose on me. But to get to my applications of choice, I have to right click the Open With menu. How ridiculous can it get?
If I still am to believe the Internet about this, no one has come up with a decent solution, except by blinding said blasted MS apps, but that's not what I want. What I want is underlined above.
Who will help?
haku

Bastet said:

There was a bug in a previous version of Windows 10 which prevented changing/setting the default file type & you could only set MS apps as default but this I believe has since been corrected.
I have to ask whether you’re fully upto date?

Apparently it isn't. After checking my settings, it seems that since 1 June 2018, Windows major update 1803 - 0x80240034 has not been able to install. Update has been tried all over second half of last year, up to today - to no avail. Error code: 0x800700d8. However, all other updates for previous version 1709 have installed without a problem, also up to yesterday. So, mystery: why can't next versions be installed? I rarely if ever touch the innards of the computer. Nothing untoward has been installed. Virus-checks every week. However, Edge seems to have disappeared without a trace (I never use it coz it remains clunky) and MS mini app Calculator does not function any more either. Oh, how I keep wishing they would never have upgraded Windows 7...

Well, there you are. Stuck. And no so;lace from Microsoft, except advising to reinstall the whole thing. I am doing computer since 1979! Went through everything. But this is really getting too much.

Thanks for trying to help me out. But after checking with several other sufferers, it seems nobody can get rid of the annoying quirks.

Best,

H

dalchina said:

Excellent point - could you tell us what your Windows build is, please?
Windows key + R, winver

After checking my settings, it seems that since 1 June 2018, Windows major update 1803 - 0x80240034 has not been able to install. Update has been tried all over second half of last year, up to today - to no avail. Error code: 0x800700d8. However, all other updates for previous version 1709 have installed without a problem, also up to yesterday. So, mystery: why can't next versions be installed? I rarely if ever touch the innards of the computer. Nothing untoward has been installed. Virus-checks every week. However, Edge seems to have disappeared without a trace (I never use it coz it remains clunky) and MS mini app Calculator does not function any more either. Oh, how I keep wishing they would never have upgraded Windows 7...

Well, there you are. Stuck. And no so;lace from Microsoft, except advising to reinstall the whole thing. I am doing computer since 1979! Went through everything. But this is really getting too much.

Thanks for trying to help me out. But after checking with several other sufferers, it seems nobody can get rid of the annoying quirks.

Best,

H

Bastet said:

Try an in-place upgrade repair which will upgrade you to 1809 & hopefully find the problems you’re having with Windows at the same time.
Repair Install Windows 10 with an In-place Upgrade

Thank you. I will try this major operation next weekend... We shall see. But I have like Dante abandoned all hope when I entered the Windows 10 hell.

H

dalchina said:

Hi, first 1709. As far as I can recall, this didn't, as a build, had a known issue with defaults resetting as a result of a Windows bug. And you say updates have been applied to date for that.

I was using 1709 until a couple of months ago, when I finally upgraded to 1809.

You mention a couple of other problems with 1709 too.

A long time back a couple of old-version 3rd party programs resulted in assocations being reset- Winzip was one.

Here's what I suggest, starting with a couple of basic steps:
1. First check your disk(s):
Download and run Hard Disk Sentinel (trial) (includes SSDs)
(This gives exceptionally good text comments)
Post a screenshot of its GUI using the Insert Image icon above your post.
If all disks are reported as good, continue.

2. Now check your file system:

From an admin command or powershell prompt
[Windows key + X, click command prompt (admin)]
chkdsk C: /F
Your PC will need to restart.
Post back the result, which you can get after a restart as follows:
Read Chkdsk Log in Event Viewer in Windows 10 | Tutorials
or
How to read Event Viewer log for Chkdsk in Windows 10 [Tip] | dotTech
or
How Do I See the Results of a CHKDSK that Ran on Boot? - Ask Leo!
Make sure the result is clear or fixed- else do not proceed.

Then do an in-place upgrade repair of 1709 (which you could do without accepting updates to save anoither huge download).

In that order.

Once you have done that, using disk imaging to secure your position at appropriate points, you can try upgrading to 1809, which you can do manually by downloading the iso.

(Few are receiving this by Windows Update).

Thank you. I will try this major operation next weekend... We shall see. But, as said to other friendly and helpful members of 10 Forums, I have like Dante abandoned all hope when I entered the Windows 10 hell.

H