Changing File Associations in Windows

Microsoft Word's been after me, popping up every time I click on a text file. Thinking I’ll be on WordPad, I am taken to the trial version of Microsoft Word instead, which asks me for a key, and registration that I do not have. You are forced to click through a series of buttons before Microsoft lets you go.

Here are the instructions for changing file associations in Windows 7. For Windows 8, see my notes after the list.

From the Start menu:

• Choose “Default Programs”
• Choose “Associate a file type or protocol with a program”
• Wait while it loads...
• Double Click on the extension (e.g. .doc, .rtf).
• Double Click on program to use: e.g. Wordpad.
• If you don’t see the program you want, click the little pulldown icon on the “Other Programs” line, then choose.

The instructions for Windows 8 is the same but finding the Default Programs has changed. Click on the far edge of the task bar which brings up a group of functions that include the magnifying glass. Choose search and type in Default programs. Follow the instructions starting from step 2.