Widows 11 setting default program for jpg files is not working

Anonymous
2021-10-20T17:18:25+00:00

Just installed W11, clean install. I installed Irfanview for my image viewer and simple editing. However it will not associate jpg and png file types, although it did for many other file types. I tried installing as an Administrator. I tried setting associations from within Irfanview. I tried going to the Default Programs control panel and tried to associate jpg files with Irfanview. JPG is not listed in the file types. Nore is png. Both have been taken by Photo Viewer and nothing seems to make it give it up.

I understand that VLC video viewer is also having trouble with setting file associations.

I am using the 64 bit version of Irfanview, latest version. I am using Windows 11 Home.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Settings

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Anonymous
2021-10-23T13:01:13+00:00

I think I fixed it. I went to "Apps and Features", found Microsoft Photos, clicked on the hamburger menu on the far right, chose "advanced options" went to the Reset section and performed both the Repair and the Reset functions. After that I was then able to associate jpg and other file types to Irfanview.

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  1. Ramesh 181.2K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2022-06-30T02:19:56+00:00

    Joey,

    //So I'm looking for a solution that makes some sort of logical sense... not "install the app you don't want back so that you can use the app you want."//

    Yeah. I'm sure this can be fixed without installing the Photos app.

    BTW, the PasteBin link seems to have expired. It says "This page is no longer available. It has either expired, been removed by its creator, or removed by one of the Pastebin staff."

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  2. Anonymous
    2022-06-29T17:56:00+00:00

    The change button is not there. It's not there with MS Photos installed. It's not there without MS Photos installed. But I would like to point out that I'm not in any sort of special situation. Literally the only difference between me and the people who have MS Photos installed is that those people have a useless app that they're not going to use that they can manipulate to switch over the association. But that doesn't change the fact that it's taking up space and processing power just existing, and I refuse.

    And to be clear, I am 100% aware that I can get MS Photos back on here and fix this. But that solution makes literally no sense since having applications that I don't use installed is exactly what I'm trying to avoid. So I'm looking for a solution that makes some sort of logical sense... not "install the app you don't want back so that you can use the app you want."

    Here's the info you asked for :

    Currently, .jpg files are associated with which app on your computer?

    • Unsure, as there is no .jpg association to check and/or change. But .jpgs currently open in print preview, for some reason.

    Can you generate a .jpg file association report (using FileTypeDiag) and upload the report?

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  3. Anonymous
    2022-06-29T17:36:10+00:00

    If you have ripped out MS Photos you might have a special situation that nobody knows how to fix. Otherwise, the standard methods listed in the Irfanview documentation and FAQ's should work. Have you tried them? I found this solution by trying many different things and it was pretty much a lucky guess that found a solution that worked. I'd love to help, but that's all I know.

    One possible solution for you is to reinstall W11 with all of it's trash and use my solution. Anytime you tear out pieces of the OS you can cause problems that no one else ever will see. I understand wanting to remove all the unwanted junk, but in my own experience I find it's best to leave it alone.

    It's interesting that even uninstalling MS Photos did not fix your problem of associating files to other programs. MS is a real PITA at times.

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  4. Ramesh 181.2K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2022-06-29T17:31:24+00:00

    That's not true. Just b/c Microsoft doesn't want you to uninstall it doesn't mean you can't. I ripped it out along with all of the other trash applications I didn't need. And now I am on Windows 11. And as I said before, MS Photos is not installed... nor is it going to be. So without it installed, how does one associate the .jpg extension with irfanview or any other program?

    Hi Joey,

    • Right-click on a .jpg file and click Properties.
    • Click "Change" and select your preferred app from the list.

    If the "Change" button is missing in properties, please post back with the following info:

    • Currently, .jpg files are associated with which app on your computer?
    • Can you generate a .jpg file association report (using FileTypeDiag) and upload the report?

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