Restore Default File Type Associations in Windows 10  

username467 said:

Hello Brink, I am experiencing an issue where WordPad is automatically set to the default program for .docx. We have tried changing it to word in the default filetype associations, however this only changes it for the current user. Is there a way for us to make this change for all users?

Many thanks,

Hello,

Odd. Usually, Word will set itself as the default app by default for .docx files for all users when installed.

Unfortunately, manual default app settings are all for current user only and not all users.

You could export and import app associations that get applied to all new users created afterwards below if that may help.

Export and Import Default App Associations for New Users in Windows

oxfordia said:

Hello Brink,

I am very careful to make sure the "Always use this app" box is NOT checked, but after thinking I would try a program, Windows permanently set my .ccd associations to RegCloneCD.exe program.
This is not the first time Windows permanently sets a default while NOT having "Always use this app" box checked.
I know .ccd is specific to CloneCD but I don't think it is associated with the CloneCD Registration Tool.
Would you add ".ccd" Reg reset to your list?

P.S. The "Reset to the Microsoft recommended defaults" button did not repair this key.

Hello oxfordia, and welcome to Ten Forums.

CCD files are not associated by default in Windows 10, but here's a REG file below that will unassociate CCD files for you to no longer have a default app if it may help.

Unassociate_ccd.reg

username467 said:

Hi Brink, unfortunately we have tried this and the .docx file extension is not in the exported xml. Any other suggestions?

Usually, when you install Word or Office, it becomes the default app by default for all of its supported file types (ex: docx). This usually only changes if a user manually changes the default app for say ".docx".

Here are the registry keys below for .docx to help. I have Office 2019 Pro Plus installed, so your actual keys in red below may vary depending on what version of Word, Office, or Microsoft 365 installed.

Deleting (Current user default app choice for .docx key) will have the current user default back to the all users default for .docx.

You could also export (Current user "Open with" choices for .docx key) as a .reg file after making sure Word is set as the default for .docx using "Open with", and import the .reg while signed in to any user account you want it applied to.

(All Users keys for .docx)
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.docx

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Word.Document.12

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.docx

(Current user "Open with" choices for .docx key)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.docx

(Current user default app choice for .docx key)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.docx\UserChoice

username467 said:

Hi Brink, thanks for all the info. This happens after we sysprep using dell image assist. Before sysprep .docx is set to Microsoft Word, after sysprep it changes to WordPad. We have nearly 1000 laptops this image will be applied to and the only current solution I have found is to remove Wordpad.

It does make you wonder why sysprep is changing the default app like this.

I'm going to bump @Kari to take a look at this if he's able to see if he may be able to help. He's a lot more experienced with sysprep.

brian92477 said:

Can you please add Json Thank you very much.

Hello Brian, and welcome to Ten Forums.

I have now added json to the table in option 2 to hopefully help.