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.
- Press Win + I to open the Settings app.
- Select “Apps -> Apps & options” within the following window. On some newer variations of Home windows 11, the choice is “Put in apps.”
- Click on on the three dots related to the focused app, and choose “Superior choices.”
Be aware: not all apps may have this function.

- Scroll all the way down to the “Reset” part, and click on on the “Restore” button.

- Watch for the method to finish, and examine whether or not the problem has been resolved.
- 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.
- Go to “Settings -> Apps -> Default apps.”

- Add the title of the focused app to the “Set defaults for functions” part, and click on on it.

- Click on on the “Set default” button.

- 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.
- Proper-click on the focused file, and select the “Open with” choice from the context menu.
- Click on on the specified program from the checklist of urged applications to open the file.
- For those who can’t find it, click on on the “Select one other app” choice on the backside.

- 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.

- 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).
- Click on on the “Open” button.

- 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.
- Press Win + R to open a Run dialog field.
- Kind
regedit
within the field, and click on Enter.

- Click on “Sure” within the Person Account Management immediate.
- Contained in the Registry Editor, navigate to the next location:
PcHKEY_CLASSES_ROOTlnkfile
- 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.”

- Rename this worth as “IsShortcut.”
- Proper-click on IsShortcut, and select “Delete” from the context menu.

- Shut the Registry Editor, and restart your pc. Upon reboot, the problem needs to be resolved.
- 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.