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

Still Not Present

1. How to Open a File with Another Program Using Open With on Windows Vista Picture 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. How to Open a File with Another Program Using Open With on Windows Vista Picture 2
   Click the folder address bar at the top of the screen.
3. How to Open a File with Another Program Using Open With on Windows Vista Picture 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. How to Open a File with Another Program Using Open With on Windows Vista Picture 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. How to Open a File with Another Program Using Open With on Windows Vista Picture 5
   Right click the "file/program" you'd like to use.
6. How to Open a File with Another Program Using Open With on Windows Vista Picture 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.
      How to Open a File with Another Program Using Open With on Windows Vista Picture 7
7. How to Open a File with Another Program Using Open With on Windows Vista Picture 8
   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. How to Open a File with Another Program Using Open With on Windows Vista Picture 9
   Go back to the Open With>Choose Default Program box.
9. How to Open a File with Another Program Using Open With on Windows Vista Picture 10
   Click the Browse button located underneath this big box of optional products.
10. How to Open a File with Another Program Using Open With on Windows Vista Picture 11
    Paste that file into the dialog box that opens and press ↵ Enter to send the operation to add the program to the list.
11. How to Open a File with Another Program Using Open With on Windows Vista Picture 12
    Decide if you'd always like to use this program for the selected file-type.
12. How to Open a File with Another Program Using Open With on Windows Vista Picture 13
    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. How to Open a File with Another Program Using Open With on Windows Vista Picture 14
    Click the "OK" box.
14. How to Open a File with Another Program Using Open With on Windows Vista Picture 15
    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.