Cannot Remove File Association in File Types Dialog Box

• Microsoft Windows NT Server version 4.0
• Microsoft Windows NT Workstation version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

If you create a file association between a program and a file extension, you may then be unable to view, edit, or remove the file association from the File Types dialog box listing of registered file types.

CAUSE

File associations that are created without a description for the file type are not listed as a registered file type, even though they do function properly.

RESOLUTION

To change the association of a file type that does not appear in the Registered File Types list, follow these steps:

1. In My Computer or Windows Explorer, press and hold down the SHIFT key while you click a file of the appropriate type with the right mouse button.

2. On the menu that appears, click Open With.

3. If you are prompted to, enter a description for the file type. In the "Choose the program you want to use" box, click the program you want to use for this file type.

4. If the "Always use this program to open this file" check box is not selected, click the check box to select it.

5. Click the OK button.

MORE INFORMATION

Microsoft is researching this problem and will post new information here in the Microsoft Knowledge Base as it becomes available.

For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

   ARTICLE-ID: Q129050
   TITLE     : How to Change Existing File Type Associations to New
               Programs