Windows 10: Windows 10 has messed up all my file associations

Damn you Microsoft again.


What is it with Microsoft constantly doing something so completely stupid and unwanted by anyone?


I'm pretty sure this was their latest update.


Suddenly I click on a file that had an app associated with it and I get a dialog box saying:





In this case the file is a .jpg. It also happens if I click on .jpeg extension files.


I'm quite aware that often newly installed programs want to reset file associations, but they're also considerate enough to give you the option to keep your settings intact. Microsoft apparently feels it doesn't owe its customers any such consideration.


I shouldn't have to do this, but I went to Settings and saw that Microsoft has changed default apps as it sees fit without asking.


I see that Microsoft changed the default app that is supposed to handle .jpg and .jpeg files to its own Photo Viewer, and it says it "Recommends" that app for Windows 10. It's done the same for the default Music Player and Video Player.


It doesn't let you change those settings. You can't select any app you want. On the select an app dialog, it only shows a limited number of apps without any option to browse to the program you had already chosen previously or any program you choose. The only option to choose outside the limited selection options is to go to the Microsoft App Store, where of course not every third party program is listed. They simply have shut down your ability to select.


Even if you select one of their limited choices (not the "recommended" one), let's say for arguments sake I want to change Photo handler app from Photos to the Windows Photo Viewer which is on the list. I'm doing this from a User account with full control Administrator permissions. I click to change. Windows displays no error. It just jumps out of Settings completely. If I go back and open it (again, I shouldn't have to do this), it did not apply the change. It tyrannically sticks with its "recommendation." That's not a recommendation at all.


So next I tried to change the file association by file type. I chose the .jpg extension type. Suggestion to Microsoft: the types list is very long. Why don't you geniuses put a small search dialog box at the top of the list. I swear, what sort of knuckleheads do you have leading your programming teams?


The change association selection option dialog is again the limited list one with no option to browse to a program installed on your computer, just as it was with the default app selection options.


Now, mind you, I am connected to the Internet. I am signed in to my Microsoft account as I am drafting this question and doing all these settings change attempts. Choosing the Microsoft Store Apps selection "Look for an app in the store" option then gives you the most ridiculous response:





This is insane. OK, so I was using a VPN. Apparently Microsoft doesn't think I have the right to use a VPN if I chose, so I have to disconnect from it. Again, each time, Microsoft ends my settings changes session and I have to reopen the settings - every single attempt, over and over again.


Let's just say for argument's sake that I wanted to change the default handler app to VLC. A search of the Microsoft Store finds this app:





Note the yellow triangle warning? Expanding on the More link:





So why don't i get any option to select my already installed VLC desktop app, Microsoft update programming geniuses?


I guess I can go to my installed VLC preferences and try to make the changes there, but why has Microsoft made this so much more difficult that it was before?


Does anyone have any idea how to get this fixed? Maybe a registry setting? I'm beyond miffed that even once I get this "fixed," I then have to do that for the default Music and Video Player apps!


Oh, by the way, I didn't add this to my question, but why, if Microsoft has changed the default handler to Photos, and changed it also on the list of file types for .jpg and .jpeg, doesn't a file with those extensions simply open in the Photos app when I click on it, instead of the stupid dialog at the start saying there is no app associated with those file types???


DAMN YOU MICROSOFT

:)

 

Windows 10 Tweaks

Pressing “Windows+Pause Break” (it’s up there next to scroll lock) opens the “System” Window.

Windows 10: In the new version of Windows, Explorer has a section called Quick Access. This includes your frequent folders and recent files. Explorer defaults to opening this page when you open a new window. If you’d rather open the usual This PC, with links to your drives and library folders, follow these steps:

• Open a new Explorer window.
• Click View in the ribbon.
• Click Options.
• Under General, next to “Open File Explorer to:” choose “This PC.”
• Click OK

credit to Lifehacker.

 

Setting File Associations - Another Step Backwards


Oh, this seems to point to Settings.... !



Maybe via a shortcut in the tutorial (which was quoted above)
List of Commands to Open Control Panel Items in Windows 10 Windows 10 Tutorials

 

File Association Helper in Startup

from another forum on May 6, 2018:
You can uninstall File Association Helper in less than 5 minutes. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1 — Uninstall File Association Helper via Control Panel

Simply go to Start > type Control Panel > double click the first result to launch Control Panel.
Then go to Uninstall a program > locate File Association Helper in the list and select it
Select Uninstall > wait until Windows completely removes FAH from your PC.
Restart your PC.
Step 2 — Clean the Registry Editor

Now that you removed the program, you also need to remove any traces or file changes associated with it. To do that, you need to open the Registry Editor.

Go to Start > type “regedit” > launch the Registry Editor
Locate the following keys and delete them:
KEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareFile Association Helper
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareFile Association Helper

Step 3 — Check all the hidden files and folders

File Association Helper may have left behind various hidden files and folders. In order to completely remove the software, you can also need to delete these files. Here’s how to do that:

Simply go to Start > type Control Panel > double click the first result to launch Control Panel. On Windows 10, you can also type “Show hidden files and folder” in the search box. Then simply check Show hidden files, folders and drives and jump straight to step number 3.
RECOMMENDED: Click here to fix common PC issues and speed up your system
Go to Folder > select Show Hidden Files and Folders
Locate the following folders:
Crogram FilesFile Association Helper
C*Biggrinocument and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataFile Association Helper
C*Biggrinocuments and Settings%USER%Application DataFile Association Helper

4. Delete them and then restart your PC.

Step 4 — Empty Temp Folder

The final step is to clean the Temp folder where all the temporary files are stored. To empty the folder, go to Start and type the %temp% command.

This will open the Temp folders. You can now empty them. If the system displays an error message when deleting some files, leave them. The files might be in use by Windows services or some running software.

Step 5 — Use a dedicated tool to remove software leftovers

After you performed all the steps listed above, you have removed 99.9% of all the files and folders left behind by File Association Helper. However, there may be a few file that escaped your scrutiny. In order to make sure that you have removed all of them, you can also use a dedicated software uninstaller.

These applications are specially designed to remove the selected application along with all of its files and registry entries. As a result, the application will be completely removed from your PC.

There are many great uninstaller tools available on the market, but the best are IOBit Uninstaller and Revo Uninstaller so feel free to try any of these tools.