How to Use the Assoc Command to Change File Associations (184082)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
This article was previously published under Q184082

SUMMARY

This article describes how to use the Assoc command to display or change file extensions and their associations.

MORE INFORMATION

The Assoc command can be run only from a command prompt.

NOTE: When you use the Assoc command, the changes you make are immediately written to the Software registry file.

  • To display a list of file extensions and their associations, type assoc at a command prompt, and then press ENTER.
  • To display the association for a specific file extension, type assoc .<xxx> at a command prompt, and then press ENTER, where <xxx> is the file extension whose association you want to view.
  • To change the association for a specific file extension, type assoc .<xxx>=<file type> at a command prompt, and then press ENTER, where <xxx> is the file extension whose association you want to change, and <file type> is the program, dynamic data exchange (DDE), or OLE object you want to associate with the file extension.
  • To delete the association for a specific file extension, type assoc .<xxx>= at a command prompt, and then press ENTER, where <xxx> is the file extension you want to delete.

    NOTE: You must type the trailing space after the equal sign (=). If you do not, the association is not deleted and you receive the following error message:
    File association not found for extension .<xxx>
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:8/9/2001
Keywords:kbenv kbhowto KB184082
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