Microsoft → Permanently Remove Check Mark In Always Use This Program---

The following trick worked in W98SE to permanently remove the check mark in the "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file".

I messed up tonight and associated a .dsc file(dscrypt) with Adobe Reader.

I couldn't get it to disassociate from AR with the Default Programs, so I found the registry entry and deleted it with a backup, just in case. All is well now but I want to get that check default check mark out before I mess up again sometime.

UNCHECK OPEN WITH

"This tweak permanently unchecks the "Always use this program to open this file type" checkbox on the "Open With" dialog
box, when opening a non-associated file type. Run Regedit and go to:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shell\openas\command

Add %2 to the current "Default" value as shown here:

C:\WINDOWS\Rundll32.exe Shell32.dll,OpenAs_RunDLL %1 %2

Close Regedit and press F5 to refresh the Desktop."

If you have a problem associating a file after this tweak go to this link for important info:

»forums.techguy.org/showt ··· nge+file (#8 and #14 Response)

I found this same registry key in Vista and added the %2 and restarted but it didn't have any effect on the check mark.

Does anybody have a solution?

Not familiar with Vista, but I am amazed you wouldn't be able to just open a document and click tools/folder options/file types then change..or am I misunderstanding something?

For reasons I can't remember the assosocation wouldn't change.

For whatever reason it happened I just don't want that check mark in there as a default as it can be a problem if your are not careful.

Did you try control panel/default programs?

deke40 - I see your point.

I agree with you that the best setting in "Open With" dialog box is a cleared check box, close to "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file".

I always wanted it to be this way. Unfortunately with WXP, WS03 it's not possible. The most you can get with it is to make it grayed and unchecked, not editable and unchecked (as it should always be).

There are actually two registry settings that configure that behavior:
1) as you've mentioned - the additional "%2" argument in default value of the key:
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shell\openas\command]

2) new "NoFileAssociate" DWORD value in this key:
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies\Explorer]

I've made tests of all four combinations that you may get with those two options. You may find table showing status of the check box here.

What you may do with Vista is to try the second value provided with associated data equal to "1".

Let me know if it helps.

I don't have "Explorer" in that second key on Vista Home Premium.

Then add it.
Win XP doesn't have "NoFileAssociate" value neither. But, as I've said, Win XP could be configured with it. I suppose with Vista you can do the same.

Tried that and still the same.

I actually screwed up again and got my .dsc file associated with Adobe Reader. Got it changed back to descrypt.exe.

Going to look further and let it alone for now.

Thanks for the help.

At least we are number one on Google at the present time.

And where else would WE be?

»www.askvg.com/how-to-ena ··· log-box/Verified on my Vista x64 machine.

That works. Basically what the above poster said but in a different key.

I screwed up again and had all my .txt files opening with Descrypt.exe. I am tired out from lack of sleep. Going to call it a night and then work on it tommorrow.

Thanks again.

I couldn't stand leaving it alone.

Went ahead and added the %2 back in then picked a .txt file to open with dscrypt.exe and the dscrypt opened up and ask for my password. I closed everything back out and then opened a .txt file and it opened in notepad as it should. The assoication didn't stick which is what I wanted in case I get reckless like in the past and hit the wrong key and that darned old check mark bites me in the butt.

All is well on the western front.

Thanks to everybody who posted in here especially Razzy who brought it on home.