Windows 10: Associate .dat files to NotePad

I am trying to associate a .dat created by one of my software packages with Notepad so that the file that is created can be saved to my computer. When I go to the Associate App page in Settings and click on .dat it gives me a message that no app is downloaded to use for .dat files. Notepad is on my computer. Why will it not allow me to use it for the association?

:)

 

*.dat file is opening in Notepad

Hi Muaaz

A Dat file is not an executable file, it is generally a file containing data for an application (executable)

It is not easy to remove a file association in Windows 10, here is a trick that will do that for you . . .

Open Windows File Explorer

On the view Ribbon (tab) check the box marked 'File Name Extensions'

Close File Explorer

Right click your Desktop and choose New - Text File

Right click that text file and choose rename, then change the file extension on that new file from .txt to .exe

Confirm the change

Right click a .dat file, choose open with - Choose another App

Check the box marked 'Always use this app to open .dat files' - IMPORTANT!

Scroll to the bottom and click 'More Apps'

Again scroll to the bottom and choose 'Find another app on this PC'

Navigate to the dummy file exe on your Desktop and click OK

The .dat file will not open

Delete the dummy exe file on your Desktop and restart your PC

The file association will then be broken!

 

all my dat files run a video editor

You wrote - im trying to change the dat files back to to default so they work properly

That is why I am asking what was the previous default. Generally dat files are associated with text editors such as Notepad.

 

unintentionally set Notepad to save files as .dat files. I want to change this so files are saved without .dat extension.How do I do that?

Original title: Notepad with .dat file extension

I unintentionally set Notepad to save files as .dat files. I want to change this so files are saved without .dat extension, in fact with no extension at all.. How do I do that?

Thank you.