How do I delete a file association and set it back to having no default program?

Answer 1

To what you refer is called a File Association and it is easy to foul it but Microsoft doesn't make it so easy to reverse the error. What you need to do is edit the registry. Be aware that anytime one works with the registry, one can easily make an error and foul up something else. So, you must be very sure that you follow these instructions precisely. If you are not comfortable doing so, seek the assistance of someone more familiar with such delicate computer maintenance.

First, go to the Start Menu and type regedit and then press Enter. This will bring up the Registry Editor Window.

Next, press the backspace key several times just to make sure that you are back to the root of the registry. This way, you will be able to follow the path I am about to give you without error.

At this point, Computer should be highlighted in the tree on the left side. If you see any black arrows seeming to point to the lower right, click on them to fold up what they display so that you have only five entries, all of which start with HKEY_.

Now that we are at a common starting point, double-click on HKEY_CURRENT_USER, the scroll down its list until you find Software and double-click once again. That will open a long list of options, so scroll down to Microsoft and double-click again. Next, find Windows and double-click again. Below Windows, you should see Current Version, so double-click on that. Now find Explorer and double-click again. Finally, find FileExts and double-click once more. Now this opens up a long list of various file extensions and the one you want for WinRAR files, of course, is .rar, so scroll down until you find that and then click (not double-click) on it and press the DEL key. A confirmation dialog will appear asking if you want to delete that key and all its subkeys. The correct answer is Yes.

After this, backspace all the way back up the tree and close the black arrow for HKEY_CURRENT_USER. Next, you will need to double-click on HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and then scroll down to find .rar in its listing. As before, when you find it, click on it and then press DEL. Say Yes to the confirmation dialog once again.

Through this process, you will have deleted the references that have been made to tell Windows to try to open the files in internet Explorer.

For similar errors, do the same but choose the appropriate file extensions and be aware that not all extensions will necessarily exist in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT, so do not be alarmed if there is no such entry there.

I hope this helps. If you have other questions or would like something clarified, feel free to drop me a line.