How to change default action for file types?

Question

There is a certain text editor that I would like to set as the default editor for certain file types but if I try selecting it on the “Open With…” menu, that does not work. However, it has put an explorer context menu item in, which does work. How could I make this menu item the default double-click action, for certain file types?

Thank you SSRT and Josh R. Both good answers. It's a pity I can't give you both best answer.

For what it's worth, I found the answer today (twenty-four hours after asking this question). The specific answer to my specific problem, with the specific editor, that is!

Answer 1

Run cmd as Administrator

abstract sample:

assoc .Ext=EditorSuperExtName
ftype EditorSuperExtName=EditorSuper.exe %1 %*

real sample:

assoc .pdf=AcroExch.Document
ftype AcroExch.Document="C:\App32\Adobe\Acrobat 10.0\Acrobat\Acrobat.exe" "%1"

real sample 2:

assoc .java=javafile
ftype javafile="C:\App64\NetBeans 7.2\bin\netbeans.exe" "%1" %*

Answer 2

If in Windows 7, open up Default Programs. Press Start and type Default Programs. Click on "Associate a filetype or protocol with a program".

Once that finishes discovering filetypes, select the file type you want to change the default program for and select "Change program". Choose the program from the list and Accept.

If Windows XP, Click on the "My Computer".

Click on the "Tools" tab along the menu bar.

Click on the "Folder Options" option.

Click on the "View" tab.

Make sure the "Hide extensions for known file types" is unchecked, so you can see the full filenames in Windows XP, including file type associations.

Click "OK" and close the "Folder Options" window.

Right-click on a file you wish to change.

Click on the "Properties" option in the right-click context menu.

Click the "Open with..." button in the "Properties" window. Note that the file may already have a file type association saved for it (it will display the icon of the associated application). Be aware that the button may be captioned "Change..." instead of "Open with...," depending on the version of Windows XP you are using.

Click on an application to choose a different file type association for your selected file type. You may also click "Browse" if the application you wish to use for your new file type association is not listed.

Click "OK" once you have chosen a file type association.