How to Restore Default File Extension Type Associations in Windows 8 and 8.1

Default File Associations - Restore in Windows 8 Published by How to Restore Default File Extension Type Associations in Windows 8 and 8.1    Information This tutorial will allow you to restore the default registry entries and program associations for the file extension type and protocol of your choice in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1. This can be helpful for example when a file extension type opens with the wrong program by default, has the wrong icon, or is missing or corrupted in the registry. Downloading the .reg file for the selected file extension below, will restore that file extension back to default for all of these items above. Default program associations for file extensions are a per user setting by default, so you will need to be logged on to the effected user account to be able to restore the default associations of the file extension for that specific user account.    Warning These default file associations should only be used in Windows 8 and 8.1.    Note The list of available default file extension and protocol associations below is just a start for now, and is a work in progress. I'll constantly be adding more to the list, but if one you need is not listed yet below, then please post a request for it. I'll be happy to get it added to the list. Here's How: 1. Click/tap on the link of the file extension type or protocol in the table below that you would like to restore the default associations of to download it's .reg file. 2. Save the .reg file to your desktop. 3. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to Merge it. 4. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.    Tip If you are signed in as a standard user account, then you will also get a Cannot import type error. Just click/tap OK for it. This is normal since what cannot be imported can only be done so by an administrator account instead. It will still restore the default associations of the file extension if the standard user used Open with to select the wrong program to open the file with. If the .reg file is not able to Merge, then double check in Default Programs to make sure that the .reg file extension has it's Current Default program set as Registry Editor (C:\Windows\regedit.exe). Afterwards, try merging the .reg file again. 5. Sign out and in, or restart the computer to apply. 6. If you are logged in as a standard user and this still does not help, then have the administrator also merge the needed .reg file for the listed file extension or protocol below while logged into their administrator account. 7. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like. Default Windows 8 and 8.1 File Associations:    Note To download all available default file extensions in the table below in one ZIP folder, click on the Download button below and save the ZIP file to your desktop. Open the ZIP file, and extract (drag and drop) to your desktop any .reg file for file extensions you want to use. You can now pick up at step 3 above.