Author Topic: something to save file/program/icon associations (Read 28,217 times)

nudone · « **on:** June 03, 2006, 05:35 PM »

i can imagine that this has been discussed before and i might have not taken much notice but as i'm starting to get annoyed with my system i'm going to ask...

i'd like a little program that can remember my file to program associations - including the icons that i've set for the file types.

i'm tired of programs steeling file associations even when i've specified for them ignore a file type - i'm also tired of programs changing the icon appearance for a file type - even when they aren't the default program to open that file.

i'm hoping there is something out there that would allow me to specify the relationship of file type to program and the respective icon - maybe a custom icon i've chosen from an icon pack i have.

the most important bit would be that this program would be able to save out my list so that on the next time i do a major reinstall, or simply that a program steels a file association again, i can open up my saved list and quickly set all the associations back - and the icons -with just a couple of clicks.

that seems like a reasonable thing to me to expect in this day and age - there must a few programs capable.

any suggestions for a good util that will do it?

thanks

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #1 on:** June 03, 2006, 06:00 PM »

Good idea - I'd like this too

nudone · « **Reply #2 on:** June 03, 2006, 06:43 PM »

damn, i thought you'd have the answer, Carol...

oh well, anyone else?

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #3 on:** June 03, 2006, 07:24 PM »

Looks quite complicated in the registry if you try and trace how filetypes are assigned.

nudone · « **Reply #4 on:** June 03, 2006, 07:27 PM »

Quote from: Carol Haynes on June 03, 2006, 07:24 PM

Looks quite complicated in the registry if you try and trace how filetypes are assigned.

oh dear, i was hoping this would be an old problem that was solved by a util long ago...

mouser · « **Reply #5 on:** June 03, 2006, 07:31 PM »

yeah this is a really nice idea actually, if you had like for each extension, something that could track the HISTORY of association and icon changes, and easily let you switch to any previous association/history. that would really be nice.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #6 on:** June 03, 2006, 07:34 PM »

Each app registers (or should) that it can handle a file - so that eg. even though I have PhotoShop set to open JPEG when I look through the registry AcdSee has JPEG links along with MS PhotoEditor (installed with Office), windows Preview, Microsoft RAW etc.

It would be really useful if we had an app that could parse the registry to discover which apps are capable of opening each filetype and allowing you to switch easily - and also perhaps have a default assignment so that the app could automatically reset all default associations etc.

nudone · « **Reply #7 on:** June 03, 2006, 07:42 PM »

well, you know, i was sort of thinking along the lines of WAssociate http://www.xs4all.nl/~wstudios/Associate/index.html

but something more powerful, i.e. being able to save your settings.

but i like the idea of the history and being able to backtrack.

JavaJones · « **Reply #8 on:** June 03, 2006, 09:37 PM »

This sounds like an excellent util idea. So excellent I'm surprised it hasn't been done yet. Anyone... anyone?

- Oshyan

nudone · « **Reply #9 on:** June 03, 2006, 09:49 PM »

to anyone willing to create such a util (if it doesn't exist) i'd like to add a further request:

i'm thinking it might be useful to be able to store and quick load group settings - so, if you were working on a range of files that you normally had open in one set of programs, you could quickly load in the 'associations 02' file that would change the assocations to another set of programs that you temporarily want to work with.

why? well, normally i'll have video and audio files assigned to programs that will just play them back - other times i want to use a whole bunch of these files with editing software - so, it would be nice to change the associations over so that these video and audio files don't open up in the default player but open directly into the editing software.

this would only be worth doing if it was a simple process to swap the associations around, i.e. a couple of clicks.

mouser · « **Reply #10 on:** June 03, 2006, 09:56 PM »

not a bad idea.

kimmchii · « **Reply #11 on:** June 03, 2006, 10:48 PM »

for file/program/icon associations, i simply backup everthing under:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

13MB.

for a specific file type, you can refer to this:
Windows® XP File Association Fixes

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #12 on:** June 03, 2006, 11:49 PM »

Actually Doug Knox's list of fixes is an excellent resoure but the REG files also illustrate how non-trivial it is.

I'm not sure if HKCR is sufficient for a backup because I think any user customisation will be saved in HKCU so if you want to backup your customisations you probably need to back up HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes at least (and probably more).

The other thing is to be aware that any installs and uninstalls will affect HKCR so that if you restore an out of date copy you may screw things up on your system royally!

kimmchii · « **Reply #13 on:** June 04, 2006, 05:09 AM »

yea, backup everything in HKCR is overkill.

i found this, it can save the setting but not freeware.
File Association Manager 2

nudone · « **Reply #14 on:** June 04, 2006, 07:06 AM »

thanks, kimmchii.

'file association manager 2' looks like it might offer a temporary solution - the save and restore feature could be more integrated with the program...

(unfortunately you can't test the save feature without first paying for it.)

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #15 on:** June 04, 2006, 11:56 AM »

Not sure about that - the website associated with the download doesn't even mention it at all (!!!) in fact it doesn't seem to be related. Plus the download doen't appear to have been touched for 2 years ??

There also seems no way to buy it as the links for online help, support and purchasing no longer exist.

nudone · « **Reply #16 on:** June 04, 2006, 12:24 PM »

oh dear, i didn't get as far as wanting to pay for it. i just downloaded and had a quick look at the features.

as it saved out to individual .reg files (i think) it wasn't really the thing i was hoping for anyway. i guess the search must continue...

mouser · « **Reply #17 on:** June 04, 2006, 01:23 PM »

one thing you could do is get one of these registry change tracking programs and only watch that key, and then you should be able to have a history of different settings for dif file associations and restore each one, with a bit of effort.

dont know a specific registry tracking app that will do that but ill bet there are some..

nudone · « **Reply #18 on:** June 04, 2006, 01:48 PM »

sounds like something i had a long time ago - can't remember the name - i'll try and find it.

kimmchii · « **Reply #19 on:** June 04, 2006, 01:54 PM »

try RegShot

my fav, very small and fast.

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #20 on:** June 04, 2006, 02:21 PM »

Total Uninstall should be able to do this also.

jgpaiva · « **Reply #21 on:** June 04, 2006, 10:10 PM »

Oh... I've been away for the weekend, just saw this thread now.
I think i have one solution:
IPhile

It's able to change the most important icons (both system and file icons), and store "schemes", to be loaded after.
It's also very easy to use.

Here's a screenshot:

Carol Haynes · « **Reply #22 on:** June 04, 2006, 11:48 PM »

Looks nice but it does the icon bit but doesn't seem to do anything about backing up file associations (which is really the more important part).

nudone · « **Reply #23 on:** June 05, 2006, 06:25 AM »

thanks, jgpaiva, iphile is 50% of the way there.

still looking...

skywalka · « **Reply #24 on:** June 17, 2006, 10:59 AM »

http://www.spearit.com/about_AssociateThis.html