File Assocaiations - Making a global change/batch file etc

[markdavies1978]

Hi all,

Does anyone know of away of creating some sort of bat file or simple means of changing\creating a file association for a ton of workstations.

This will save going round every PC & doing it individually.

Thanks.

 

[smah]

The easiest way is to create the assosication on one machine. Then export this new .xxx branch from the HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT registry hive and distribute it to users via logon script, batch file, or whatever distribution method you'd normally use.

 

[linney]

Q310516 HOW TO: Distribute Registry Changes to Computers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q310/5/16.asp

311425 - File May Not Open in the Expected Default Program in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;311425&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

HOW TO: Create a Custom Default User Profile (Q305709)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q305/7/09.asp

 

[markdavies1978]

Thanks Linney.

It works in terms of adding the entry but not the association with the program I require.

Any ideas? Is there another key somewhere?

 

[smah]

Do I understand that the .xxx key (and its Openwith subkey) in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT does not create the association that you need? What is the file extension that you're trying to associate?

 

[linney]

Did you reboot after making any changes in the Registry?

Via a batch file you might be able to make use of the "Assoc" command?


323526 - HOW TO: Use the ASSOC Command to Display and Modify File Name Extension Associations in Windows 2000

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;323526&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

184082 - How to Use the Assoc Command to Change File Associations

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;184082&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

This is a Bat file for default associations that many people result to, perhaps you could look at it as an experiment and possible modification?

Easy File Associations for Windows XP

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_easy_file.htm

 

[markdavies1978]

I'm associating a .mdi file with 'Microsoft Office Document Imaging' application.

I have this association on my PC & exported the key.

When I merge this exported key on a PC which doesn't have the association it adds the .mdi within the file types but not what to open that file with.

Yes, I rebooted as well.

 

[smah]

OK, I didn't look far enough. There also should be another key & subkey at:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.xxx

You'll need to import that to the new machine also.

 

[markdavies1978]

Smah - Good work. That was the other key I was looking for!