When multiple versions of Photoshop, Illustrator, or any other Creative Cloud applications are installed on a computer, uninstalling the earlier versions after installing the new versions breaks file type associations for the new versions.

When you try to open a file, you observe one or more of the following issues:

• The file type opens with a different application. For example, an Illustrator (.ai) file opens with Adobe XD.
• The file type is not associated with the Creative Cloud app anymore. For example, a .PSD doesn't open with Photoshop.
• (Windows) Opening the file displays the message: Windows Cannot Open This File or the Open With dialog box.

Solution 1: Use the Open With dialog box to establish the file association

This solution uses Photoshop as an example. Perform these steps for the Creative Cloud app and the file type association you are attempting to restore.

Right-click the file and choose Open With > Choose Another App from the context-menu.

In the file association dialog that appears, choose Photoshop from the list of apps or navigate to the Photoshop executable (.exe) for your version of Photoshop in the file explorer.

For example, the default installation path for Photoshop CC 2019:

C:Program FilesAdobeAdobe Photoshop CC 2019Photoshop.exe

Ensure that the option, Always Use The Selected Program To Open This Kind Of File in the subsequent dialog box is selected.

Solution 2: Use Windows control panel to establish the file association

This solution uses Illustrator as an example. Perform these steps for the Creative Cloud app and the file type association you are attempting to restore.

If your desired version of Illustrator is listed, choose it. Otherwise, click Browse to locate it and click Open.


Ensure that Always Use The Selected Program... option is selected. Click OK to close the Open With dialog box.

Double-click the .ai file to ensure that it opens with your preferred version of Illustrator.

Solution 3: Uninstall and reinstall the Creative Cloud apps

If a file type opens with an incorrect Creative Cloud app, try uninstalling and reinstalling the apps. For example, if an Illustrator (.ai) file opens with Adobe XD, uninstall and reinstall both Illustrator and Adobe XD. For instructions, see the following links:

• Download and install Creative Cloud apps
  

Solution 4: Set a default path in the Registry

This solution explains associating .PSD and .JPG file types with Photoshop CC 2019 as an example. Perform these steps for the Creative Cloud app version and the file type association you are attempting to restore.

Verify the Photoshop.exe file path.

The default is: C:Program FilesAdobeAdobe Photoshop CC 2019

Open the Registry Editor.

Press Windows + R keys or choose Start > Run. In the Run dialog, type regedit and click OK.

Navigate to:

• (For .PSD)ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
  ExplorerFileExts.psdOpenWithList

• (For .JPG)ComputerHKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersion
  ExplorerFileExts.jpgOpenWithList

If that exists, verify (Default) has the correct path verified in Step 1.

If path is not correct, double-click (Default). Type the following text in it:

'C:Program FilesAdobeAdobe Photoshop CC 2019Photoshop.exe' '%1'

Solution: Use the Get Info dialog box to establish the file association

This solution uses Illustrator as an example. Perform these steps for the Creative Cloud app and the file type association you are attempting to restore.

Control-click a file that you want to associate with Illustrator and choose Get Info from the pop-up menu.

In the dialog box that appears, click the Open With section to expand it.

Click the dropdown and choose Illustrator from the list.

Under Use This Application To Open All Documents Like This One, click Change All.

Click Continue in the confirmation dialog that appears next.

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This question already has an answer here:

• How to revert an accidental file association 2 answers

After (hopefully) scrubbing viruses out of a Windows 7 installation (after deciding not to simply run over the laptop repeatedly with my car), I've got everything almost back to normal. The only lingering issue I have is that for my non-admin users, the '.exe' file extension doesn't work. That is, clicking on the various desktop application links results in a 'How do you want to open this?' dialog.

I've been through the alleged registry fixing from 'winhelponline' and that had absolutely no effect. I've tried running 'assoc' for the affected users, but it reports the .exe association to be 'exefile' even though it persistently does not work.

Right-clicking on a desktop icon and then choosing 'start' does successfully open an application, but that's clearly a terrible situation.

For my admin user, things seem to work fine.

What do I need to do to get things working?

marked as duplicate by Ƭᴇcʜιᴇ007 windows-7Jan 20 '17 at 16:24

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1 Answer

Open Notepad and save a text file (using a .reg extension) with the following content:

Double click the file then reboot.

DISCLAIMER: Use at your OWN risk! There is no guarantee that this will work!

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