Set File Association with .reg File

Hi,

i have a problem with File Associations in Windows (Build 1607).

I want to set a File Association for .pdf so that i can start .pdf files with Adobe Acrobat Reader DC and not with Microsoft Edge (default).

It is possible if i change it over System -> Default Apps but i need to do it with a batch file :)

If i change the settings on

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Roaming\OpenWith\FileExts\.pdf Progid ---> AcroExch.Document.DC

and

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.pdf\UserChoice Progid ---> AcroExch.Document.DC

it don't work...pdf files always open with edge...

Anyone has an idea or can post a script to do that?

Thanks!

One reason to use a .reg file is so we can one-click restore our custom settings after Windows capriciously decides to reset it to MS default Apps. Then instead of trying to remember where/what/how we set the association, we can just click our .reg file and have it all back as we customized... until the next time Windows resets defaults. This is exemplified by a bug of the recent Anniversary update... for some users ...suddenly they found a bunch of third party programs disassociated and MS Apps popping up instead. Annoying!

I'm using/assigning an old Microsoft .hlp file viewer... rather than have the winhlp32.exe stub send me to an Error webpage that MS so kindly throws at us now. It's tedious to go re-associate multiple times. It's easier to customize, then Export the association registry branch/twig/leaf... and later, when needed, double-click that .reg to re-reset back to our customizations. I'm not sure about the original poster's purpose, but I don't have the patience to fight MS re-defaulting... or look for the cause since it worked just fine before Anniversary and their rude resettings. Got to show off the new apps somehow.
Sorry, but resetting lots of file associations isn't trivial. I discovered a supposed fix to stop further resettings of music/photos/Edge/etc... seems to work ...until I lost the .hlp customization, which may be a different matter, but exporting a .reg would make recovery simple.

dalchina said:

Hi, is this of use?
Default App Associations - Export and Import for New Users in Windows - Windows 10 Forums

That looks interesting... have to remember to keep it updated after user customization and app installs, perhaps.
Will try it. Thanks!

I have read all the Forum advice on changing file associations but am still stuck. When I downloaded Adobe Acrobat Reader PC is installed itself as the default App for opening PDF files, replacing my original Adobe Pro. But that was a mistake -- I should have known because that is a typical trick used by Adobe to force users to the more expensive monthly services. But now I have been unable to change the association back to Adobe Pro. I even tried changing the registry entry but could not find the right key modification link in Regedit. Has anyone had this problem? The program setup says that PDF is associated with Acrobat Pro but it is not the one launched by clicking on a pdf file! Can anyone help me?

It may be where the .pdf file is being opened from. I have no problem resetting Acrobat Reader back to Acrobat Pro for files on the HDD but those from the Internet may open to a different default in the Browser. IE has settings in Internet Options, Programs Tab to specify a few things that may help.