How to Open a File with Another Program Using Open With on Windows Vista

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1. 

   Open up a Windows Explorer folder. If there is a Computer, Recycle Bin or Network icon on the desktop, or a folder icon, use that.

2. 

   Click the folder address bar at the top of the screen.

3. 

   Type the following address into the box:C:ProgramDataMicrosoftWindowsStart MenuPrograms, and press ↵ Enter when finished.This will show you a list of the program's you've installed to your computer, which didn't already come with the computer.

   1. To save you the hassle of typing this long folder in, Copy and Paste this folder location from this article to the Windows Explorer box.

4. 

   Browse through the folder, until you've found the program that you'd like to use as the program for the Open-With command.

5. 

   Right click the "file/program" you'd like to use.

6. 

   Look at the General tab's information for the file. If it says that it's a link (.lnk) file, you'll know your program exists elsewhere on your system's Start Menu folder. These lnk files are non-executable by the Open With command, and act just like a Shortcut link to any file/program.

   1. Try this out, copy the "Location" folder in the General tab, followed by a backslash, followed by the Value property in the name field of the Details tab for these lnk files instead.

      

7. 

   Look for a section under the "Shortcut" tab called "Target", and Copy and Paste this exact file location onto your clipboard. You'll need it in a future step.

8. 

   Go back to the Open With>Choose Default Program box.

9. 

   Click the Browse button located underneath this big box of optional products.

10. 

    Paste that file into the dialog box that opens and press ↵ Enter to send the operation to add the program to the list.

11. 

    Decide if you'd always like to use this program for the selected file-type.

12. 

    Select the "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file", option, if you'd like to open this program every time.

    1. You can later reverse this decision, but it's tricky to find the correct box.

13. 

    Click the "OK" box.

14. 

    Notice that the file will now open in the selected program. If the files are of the correct type (text files in text-type entry programs and music into music/media programs, etc.), you'll be able to properly view/hear/access the content the correct way.

    1. If not, it will either give you an error box, or if it's media in a text-program, you'll see unorganized file characters begin to fill up the program.