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Old June 17th 18, 01:20 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
R.Wieser
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Posts: 1,302
Default Figured it out ! - How to open a file with a program.

ManWalking,

You've found two ways of opening a file.

-- left-mouse Doubleclicking.
Opens the file with the default program as configured in Windows (the
program has no say in it).

-- Open the program and find the option to load the file.
pretty-much the opposite of the above

There are at least two more though:

-- *right*-mouse click - "open with" - "choose program" (or, if you done
that before for that filetype, select from the shortlist just above it)

and the *absolute simpelest* way to open a file with another program than
the default one:

-- drag-and-drop a file on the program-icon (even if its a shortcut icon),
or on the already open program.
The first drop method is under control of the OS, the second is under
control of the program. That means they *might* (but should not) behave
differently.

Remark:
The "open with the default program" is often, on installation, set by the
installer or program itself. As installers mostly just (over)write the
setting it means that the last-installed program (for that filetype) will
become the default. Instal; FireFox last and its the default program.
Install Thunderbird last, and it will be.

You can also change the default program by the above rightclick option, as
after the "choose program" you're presented with a - you guessed it - dialog
that allows you to choose your program.

But notice the "Always use this program for this kind of file" checkbox
there. If you want the program you are selecting to become the default
than tick that box. If you do not want that to happen than untick it
(duh).

Warning: If there is no default program specified yet the box will be
pre-ticked. If you already have a default program the box will remain
unticked.

Try it: drag-and-drop, for example, a .TXT file onto your browsers icon, or
onto the open program itself.

Regards,
Rudy Wieser





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