Windows update messed up default apps

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[areader]

Some time between March and now, a Windows 10 update wiped my file association between .epub files and SumatraPDF, which I use to read those files. I tried the things I’d previously done, but all I’m allowed to do is pick an app that windows offers me and SumatraPDF isn’t offered. Association by file type only offers to let me choose something from the Microsoft Store or a short list of inappropriate apps. I can open SumatraPDF and drag the file over, but that gets old real fast.

I’m perfectly willing to change apps, but it has to be free because I’m on a fixed income.

ETA: I downloaded Freda from the MS Store, but it’s not something I like. I’d much prefer getting SumatraPDF properly associated again.

TIA

 

• This topic was modified 1 year, 10 months ago by areader.

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In File Explorer go to the file you whish to change the file association of and right click.
Select Open with > Choose another app. This will open the How do you want to open this file menu with apps listed.
If your app (Sumatra PDF) is not listed click More Apps at the bottom of the list
If your app is still not listed in the longer list, scroll down and select Look for another app on this PC. This will open an explorer widow to go to and select the exe file of your app (Sumatra PDF). Be sure to check the the box for Always use this app to open these files Before you select your app so it will change the default setting.

HTH, Dana:))

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Turns out this is useless, because I couldn’t get the current version of SumatraPDF to install and I had to use the portable version. So it’s not an installed app.. Your suggestion was how I used to do it. Thanks anyway.

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These 3 steps should do it as long as you have Sumatra PDF viewer installed on your machine.  Navigate to an epub and right click.

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Microfix

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Yeah, this would work but it turns out that I have the portable version because I couldn’t get the installer to work. Thanks anyway.

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Go to file type and associate Sumatra PDF.
Mine is the portable version on drive D:

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I, too, have the portable version. But *how* do I associate the .exe file when Windows won’t show it to me in the file types?

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It could have been a browser update as well.

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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Please explain. How can an update to a browser screw up file associations? I have Edge, but I never use it I haven’t even set it up. My preferred browser is Firefox.

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Just came across a computer the other day that got tricked into downloading the wave browser on their windows machine.  All the PDF file associations were sucked over to that browser.

See if these instructions help?

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/change-default-programs-in-windows-e5d82cad-17d1-c53b-3505-f10a32e1894d#ID0EDD=Windows_10

Susan Bradley Patch Lady/Prudent patcher

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Alex5723

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This is the stuff I tried early on, and it didn’t work. See my reply to the next poster.

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areader wrote:

I, too, have the portable version. But *how* do I associate the .exe file when Windows won’t show it to me in the file types?

Example : file type eBook .etd

Right-click on PDF (or another file type)
Select open with
Select app from the list or select ‘look for another app on this PC’ and browse to the location of the app.
Tick ‘always use..’

* Windows updates have never changed my default apps settings.

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It has been a long and frustrating road, and I’m tired of fighting with Windows.

Somehow, epub files also got associated with FastStone Photo Resizer, and that took precedence so that when I clicked on an epub file, FastStone opened. When I uninstalled FastStone, I was offered SumatraPDF and finding something in the MS Store. That was OK, but I use the photo resizer, so I reinstalled it and was right back at epub files opening FastStone Photo Resizer rather than SumatraPDF. I can right-click on epub files and choose “open with” to get to Sumatra PDF, and for now I’m going to stick with that. I have to take the computer back to the shop for a hardware problem (thank goodness for warranties!), and I’ll ask them if they can fix this also.

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areader wrote:

epub files opening FastStone Photo Resizer

Go into FastStone settings and dis-associate epub…

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Sorry for the delay. There are no settings to adjust. FastStone is really basic. So I have no idea how to disassociate it.

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areader wrote:

I have the portable version because I couldn’t get the installer to work.

Why not? What happened?

Portable apps can’t be associated with a file type as Windows doesn’t know where to find them (unless using a special portable apps launcher app).

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I don’t remember why it wouldn’t install but it’s a known problem because they tell you, if it won’t install, to use the portable version.

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b wrote:

Portable apps can’t be associated with a file type as Windows doesn’t know where to find them (unless using a special portable apps launcher app).

Not true!

All you have to do is Right-click the file, select Open with…, Check the Always use this app to open .??? files box, click on More apps ↓, scroll all the way to the bottom and click on Look for another app on this PC, then “browse” to the location of the portable app’s exe file and select it.

Once you’ve done this, the default app to open that particular file type will be the portable app you selected!

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b wrote:

Portable apps can’t be associated with a file type as Windows doesn’t know where to find them

Wrong.

MPC-HC is portable app.

https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/windows-up-messed-up-default-apps/#post-2572941

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OK, thanks.

(Not portable then though, so what’s the advantage?)

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In this case, potable means it wasn’t installed via Windows and the advantage is it can be updated, repaired or downgraded at any time by simply replacing the app with a different/saved version and the file association will still work.

That’s not always true with apps that are installed via Windows.

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Alex5723

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