File Associations How to determine the target program file

Hello @Mexicanpete,

Welcome to TenForums!

Mexicanpete said:

Win 10 pro build 18363 ver1909 fully updated. Seems to be working just fine.

I've been struggling with a problem for a while. I've searched extensively but cannot find an answer to my specific question. Every other variant but the specific question.

My question is if I have a file say ABC.XYZ that opens a program when double clicked, what is the exact exe file that is initiated by the extension XYZ? I'm not interested in the name of the program.

Are you talking about if you right click the program, select Properties and look in the Target?

I hope this helps!

Mexicanpete said:

My question is if I have a file say ABC.XYZ that opens a program when double clicked, what is the exact exe file that is initiated by the extension XYZ?

Peter,

Your question is answered by NirSoft's FileTypesMan

Denis

BubbaW said:

XYZ to me constitutes a shortcut. If one knows where this shortcut is, using File explorer, right click that shortcut, select properties to show the Target as Paul Black alluded to above.

It might be, just for example, .doc not a shortcut at all.

The OP wants to know what .exe file that .doc is associated with.

The OP has not mentioned any shortcuts at all.

The OP's question is answered by NirSoft's FileTypesMan

Denis

Mexicanpete said:

Win 10 pro build 18363 ver1909 fully updated. Seems to be working just fine.

I've been struggling with a problem for a while. I've searched extensively but cannot find an answer to my specific question. Every other variant but the specific question.

My question is if I have a file say ABC.XYZ that opens a program when double clicked, what is the exact exe file that is initiated by the extension XYZ? I'm not interested in the name of the program.

Hopefully some kind soul will be able to relieve my frustration. It may be obvious but I haven't found it yet.

Many thanks in advance

Peter

Not sure I understand the question, but what I think you're looking for....

In the Taskbar search box, type: Default Apps ...and hit Enter.

When the Default Apps page opens, scroll to the bottom and click on: Choose default apps by file type



I THINK, that's what you're looking for.

A file extension, say, txt is associated to a file type (txtfile), which in turn can open a specific program (Notepad) when the file is double-clicked or double-tapped. This will produce a list of them all:

1. Display all extensions and their associated file types by firstly copying the following 4 lines:
assoc >"%userprofile%\desktop\assoc.txt
start notepad "%userprofile%\desktop\assoc.txt
exit
cls

Now open Command Prompt (Admin). Using the mouse right-click, paste the 4 copied lines to the Command Prompt window. A .txt file is created on the Desktop and Notepad will open and display the list. The list represents the registry keys located in the merged HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. In the left pane (using regedit), look for the extension, for example .txt. The (Default) field in the right pane contains the file type, e.g. txtfile.

2. Now display all file types and their associated programs by substituting the above 4 lines with these:
ftype >"%userprofile%\desktop\ftype.txt
start notepad "%userprofile%\desktop\ftype.txt
exit
cls

Another .txt file is created on the Desktop and Notepad will open and display it. This list represents the registry keys in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT further down beyond the extensions using regedit. Look for the file type, for example txtfile, then click or tap shell\open\command. In the right pane, the (Default) field shows the full path of the program that opens it, e.g. notepad.

3. NOTE. In operation, any keys in HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes (current user) take precedence over those in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes (all users) and both keys appear as the merged HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT. Any changes should be made to HKCU and HKLM. The HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT keys are intended to be read from, not written to.

Nice detailed post.

BurrWalnut said:

1. Display all extensions and their associated file types by firstly copying the following 4 lines:
assoc >"%userprofile%\desktop\assoc.txt
start notepad "%userprofile%\desktop\assoc.txt
exit
cls

2. Now display all file types and their associated programs by substituting the above 4 lines with these:
ftype >"%userprofile%\desktop\ftype.txt
start notepad "%userprofile%\desktop\ftype.txt
exit
cls

I would add speech marks after the four .txt lines though as they are a path.