Cannot change file association for .txt files??

[Pilgrim]

Strange goings on here. For years I had all .txt files configured to open with metapad.exe. Today, they open with Notepad. So, I tried to change the default program in the usual manner, browsed to the metapad.exe file but nothing happens, i.e., the metapad.exe file isn't added to the list of optional programs. Metapad doesn't have an installer; it's a standalone application. So, I replaced the one in /Program Files/Metapad with a fresh one but still no go. I can choose one of the other default apps, e.g., Wordpad and that works.

Any suggestions on how to force Windows to open .txt files with the Metapad app?

[Rudi]

Try using the context menu of stead of the default program method.

Go to windows explorer and right click on the .txt file and choose Open with. Select Another program (if the Metapad program is not listed). When the Open with Dialog opens, click Browse and point it to the Metapad.exe file. Choose open and this should configure to use this program.

[HansV]

Alternatively, edit the registry (the usual precautions apply):

- Select Start | Run...
- Type regedit and press Enter or click OK.
- Navigate to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\txtfile\shell\open\command in the left-hand page.
- Double-click the Default entry in the right-hand pane.
- Change it to the path and filename of Metapad followed by a space and "%1", e.g.

C:\Program Files\Metapad\Metapad.exe "%1"

- Click OK.
- The change should be effective immediately.

[Pilgrim]

@Rudi: and no go.

@Hans: Worked perfect. I'm not going to even think of how this happened, hehe.

[Rudi]

Love that banner Jeff...
Pretty cool!

Glad Hans's post solved it. Cheers

[RolandJS]

I tried it, so far, not working. Is it:
C:\Program Files\Metapad\Metapad.exe "%1"
or
C:\Program Files\Metapad\Metapad.exe %1

Thanks!

[HansV]

Perhaps Metapad.exe is a 32-bit app. If so, it may be found in C:\Program Files (x86)\Metapad instead of in C:\Program Files\Metapad.

A slight modification of Rudi's suggestion for recent versions of Windows:
- Right-click any .txt file.
- Select Open With > Choose another app from the context menu.

S2621.png

- Look for Metapad in the list of suggested applications (the list may be scrollable).
- If you see it, select it and click Always.
- If not, scroll down all the way and click 'Choose an app on your PC'.

S2622.png

- Then locate Metapad.exe, most likely in C:\Program Files\Metapad or C:\Program Files (x86)\Metapad.
- Select Metapad.exe and click Open.
- Then proceed as above.