How to Open a File with Another Program on Windows Vista (Using Open‐With Command)

Step-by-Step Guide

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   Step 1: Log into your account on your Windows Vista computer that's needs the adjustments made to it.

   For those who fear having to lose the hovering option, you can click the option and still be able to see your list of programs. , If the program you wish to open it with isn't in this list, you'll have to delve a bit deeper. ,, The top few (under Recommended options) are the same programs you could have selected before clicking "Choose Default Program". ,,,, If there is a Computer, Recycle Bin or Network icon on the desktop, or a folder icon, use that.
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   Step 2: Locate the file you'd like to open with another program.

   , To save you the hassle of typing this long folder in, Copy and Paste this folder location from this article to the Windows Explorer box. ,,, If it says that it's a link (.lnk) file, you'll know your program exists elsewhere on your system's Start Menu folder.
   
   These lnk files are non-executable by the Open With command, and act just like a Shortcut link to any file/program.
   
   Try this out, copy the "Location" folder in the General tab, followed by a backslash, followed by the Value property in the name field of the Details tab for these lnk files instead. , You'll need it in a future step. ,,,,, You can later reverse this decision, but it's tricky to find the correct box. ,, If the files are of the correct type (text files in text-type entry programs and music into music/media programs, etc.), you'll be able to properly view/hear/access the content the correct way.
   
   If not, it will either give you an error box, or if it's media in a text-program, you'll see unorganized file characters begin to fill up the program.
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   Step 3: Right-click the icon that indicates the file you'd like to access.

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   Step 4: Hover over the "Open With" selection from the options that result.

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   Step 5: Look through the list of available products you can open the selected item in.

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   Step 6: Choose the "Choose Default Program" option.

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   Step 7: Look for a section of the new dialog box that opens

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   Step 8: that's entitled "Other programs".

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   Step 9: Click the drop-down arrow to this box.

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    Step 10: Select the program you'd like to use.

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    Step 11: Click the OK button to select this program.

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    Step 12: Open up a Windows Explorer folder.

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    Step 13: Click the folder address bar at the top of the screen.

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    Step 14: Type the following address into the box:C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs

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    Step 15: and press ↵ Enter when finished.This will show you a list of the program's you've installed to your computer

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    Step 16: which didn't already come with the computer.

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    Step 17: Browse through the folder

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    Step 18: until you've found the program that you'd like to use as the program for the Open-With command.

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    Step 19: Right click the "file/program" you'd like to use.

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    Step 20: Look at the General tab's information for the file.

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    Step 21: Look for a section under the "Shortcut" tab called "Target"

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    Step 22: and Copy and Paste this exact file location onto your clipboard.

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    Step 23: Go back to the Open With>Choose Default Program box.

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    Step 24: Click the Browse button located underneath this big box of optional products.

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    Step 25: Paste that file into the dialog box that opens and press ↵ Enter to send the operation to add the program to the list.

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    Step 26: Decide if you'd always like to use this program for the selected file-type.

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    Step 27: Select the "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file"

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    Step 28: option

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    Step 29: if you'd like to open this program every time.

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    Step 30: Click the "OK" box.

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    Step 31: Notice that the file will now open in the selected program.

Detailed Guide

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