The way to Repair the “This File Does Not Have an App Related With It” Error in Home windows

The “This file doesn’t have an app related to it” error in Home windows usually seems when the file you are attempting to launch doesn’t have a default program assigned to it. This tutorial illustrates completely different options to repair this problem as soon as and for all.

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1. Restore/Reset the App

When you have an app put in in your pc for the file you are attempting to entry, it’s doable that the problem is attributable to an issue with the app itself. To troubleshoot this, try and restore or reset the app.

  1. Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
  1. Select “Apps -> Apps & options” within the following window. On some newer variations of Home windows 11, the choice is “Put in apps.”
  1. Click on on the three dots related to the focused app, and choose “Superior choices.”

Be aware: not all apps may have this function.

Clicking on "Advanced options" next to app.
  1. Scroll all the way down to the “Reset” part, and click on on the “Restore” button.
Clicking on either "Repair" or "Reset" button in App list.
  1. Watch for the method to finish, and examine whether or not the problem has been resolved.
  2. If the issue persists, click on the “Reset” button, and examine whether or not that makes a distinction. Resetting the app will take away any custom-made settings and configurations you might have set, so it’s important to bear in mind that you will want to reconfigure these settings as soon as the app is reset.

2. Set up the Required App

The error message, “This file doesn’t have an app related to it,” may point out that the required app is lacking out of your pc. If the app was beforehand put in, there’s a risk that it could have been unintentionally uninstalled, which could possibly be the reason for the problem.

We suggest checking your system for the focused app. For those who can’t discover it, set up it from the Microsoft Retailer or a dependable third-party supply. Hopefully, as soon as the app is put in, it is possible for you to to run the file with out problem.

Tip: if it’s essential to get better deleted recordsdata on Home windows, these options will restore them.

3. Set the App as Your Default Desire

If the focused app shouldn’t be set as your default desire already, accomplish that to make sure that the file sort is correctly related to the specified program. While you set an app because the default for a selected file sort, Home windows will routinely use that app to open recordsdata with that extension.

This may negate the necessity to manually choose this system every time you open recordsdata of that sort, fixing the error within the course of.

  1. Go to “Settings -> Apps -> Default apps.”
Clicking on "Default apps" option in Windows Settings.
  1. Add the title of the focused app to the “Set defaults for functions” part, and click on on it.
Searching for an app under "Set defaults for applications" section.
  1. Click on on the “Set default” button.
Pressing on "Set default" button under app.
  1. Attempt launching the specified file, and examine whether or not the problem has been resolved.

4. Use the “Open With” Possibility

Alternatively, manually choose the specified program to open the file utilizing the “Open with” choice. Use this resolution when there isn’t any default program related to the file sort, or the present affiliation is inaccurate or lacking.

  1. Proper-click on the focused file, and select the “Open with” choice from the context menu.
  1. Click on on the specified program from the checklist of urged applications to open the file.
  2. For those who can’t find it, click on on the “Select one other app” choice on the backside.
Clicking on "Choose another app" option from context menu.
  1. Both select a program that’s listed, or click on on the “Search for one other app on this PC” hyperlink to browse for this system’s executable file manually.
Navigating to "Look for another app on this PC" under the "How do you want to open this file" menu.
  1. For those who select the latter, head to the placement the place this system is put in, and choose the executable file (usually ending with .EXE).
  2. Click on on the “Open” button.
Clicking "Open" button to launch an app or program.
  1. This could let you bypass the error and launch the file with out problem.

FYI: take a look at these helpful registry hacks that may optimize your expertise on Home windows.

5. Carry out a Registry Repair

You can even repair the problem by modifying a related string worth within the Registry. Nevertheless, earlier than you proceed, we suggest making a Registry backup, simply to be secure.

  1. Press Win + R to open a Run dialog field.
  2. Kind regedit within the field, and click on Enter.
Typing "regedit" in Run dialog box.
  1. Click on “Sure” within the Person Account Management immediate.
  2. Contained in the Registry Editor, navigate to the next location:
PcHKEY_CLASSES_ROOTlnkfile
  1. Transfer to the suitable pane, and search for the “IsShortcut” string worth. For those who can’t find it, right-click on an empty area, and select “New -> String Worth.”
Right-clicking on empty space in Registry Editor to create a new string value.
  1. Rename this worth as “IsShortcut.”
  2. Proper-click on IsShortcut, and select “Delete” from the context menu.
Deleting "IsShortcut" key from Registry Editor.
  1. Shut the Registry Editor, and restart your pc. Upon reboot, the problem needs to be resolved.
  2. As soon as the issue is mounted, recreate the Registry key by following the steps above once more, if you want.

6. Carry out a System Restore

For those who’ve lately encountered the problem, it’s doable {that a} latest software program set up or system change could be the trigger. In such circumstances, think about using the System Restore utility to revert your system to a earlier error-free state.

The System Restore utility creates restore factors at common intervals, which function snapshots of your system’s state. By choosing an older restore level, you may revert your system to that particular time limit and doubtlessly resolve the error.

Tip: if System Restore shouldn’t be working because it ought to, take a look at these fixes to get it to start out working once more correctly.

Launching Recordsdata Simply

Encountering the “This file doesn’t have an app related to it” error may be irritating, particularly if it’s essential to entry the specified file urgently. Hopefully, by following the guidelines on this tutorial, you may overcome this error, and open your recordsdata seamlessly. To forestall such points from taking place once more sooner or later, replace the system frequently. We additionally suggest uninstalling any pointless applications to keep away from potential conflicts.

Picture credit: Unsplash. All screenshots by Zainab Falak.