I've installed Portable Apps on a new Windows 10 computer. I've tried to associate the .txt extension with NotePad++ Portable in every standard way imaginable, including editing the registry. However, Notepad is still the default. Does anyone have ideas on how to get this done?
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It's part of Windows 10's design only to allow File Types to be permanently associated with fully installed applications, so what you want to do isn't possible, i.e. if Windows 10 can't find an installed app it's not possible to create a permanent file association and/or any that you attempt to create revert to the Windows default application.
Thanks mjashby. I have another older Win 10 computer. The file association works just fine.
Try manually creating a shortcut to Notepad++Portable.exe in the Start Menu. By manually, browse to C:\Users\YOURUSERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs and create the shortcut there.
Sometimes, the impossible can become possible, if you're awesome!
My thanks John. That didn't work for me.
1. In Windows/File Explorer right click on a .txt file
2. Select Open with
3. Click on Choose another app
4. Tick Always use this app to open .txt files
5. Scroll down to and Click on More apps
6. Scroll down to and Click on Look for another app on this PC
7. Navigate to Notepad++Portable.exe (on a Permanent drive)
8. Select it and click Open button
All .txt files' icons change to Notepad++'s and Notepad++Portable runs.
I was able to associate all my portableapps this way.
(So mjashby's statement: "It's part of Windows 10's design only to allow File Types to be permanently associated with fully installed applications" isn't true?)
Edit: made easier to read using italics
That's one of the many ways it's supposed to work, but not in this case.
Oops. Wrong computer. Problem hasn't changed.
I read your post and thought I might be able to help. Give this version of Notepad++ Portable a try. I've added support for associations during launch and it's easily customizable. I have not tested this on Windows 10 but this has been tested on and works well with Windows XP to Windows 8.1. Maybe you can test it for me.
Visit the GitHub project page: Notepad++ Portable (developed by yours truly-demon.devin)
Download Installer: Notepad++Portable v7.4.2
To add your own file associations, open the Notepad++Portable.ini file and under
[Associations]add any extension you wish to support. For example:For a list of supported filetypes, open AppInfo.ini and review the
[Associations]Filetypeskey.Note:
I have even added a SendTo shortcut for any filetypes that aren't associated but are supported for use with Notepad++. Just right click on any supported extension format and select SendTo > Notepad++ and your file will automatically open in Notepad++.
(this assumes you already have Notepad++ open however)
daemon.devin
Thanks for the suggestion. Sadly it didn't work.
I followed your directions and then started Notepad++. I then tried opening a txt file, which opened with Notepad. I then tried to associate the program and shortcut (from suggestion above). The associations didn't take. I then rebooted and went through the same steps.
I'm having the same problem with Inkscape, so it seems to be a Win 10 issue. Is there any way that the installer can modify the registry? I'm not sure that would work because I tried that manually.
I should have been a little more clear, you need to open Notepad++ Portable in order for the associations to work. When Notepad++ is open, minimize the window and then try opening the text file or using the send to feature. If you look in the
custom.nshfile you'll see that I used registry manipulations to get the associations to work (I'm using Windows 8.1 and I tested this on Windows XP too and it was working) so if its still not working with Notepad++ open than it might be a stand-alone Windows 10 issue. I'll do some more research on the matter and hopefully come up with a solution.In the meantime, thanks for testing my version. I'll get back to you.
daemon.devin
I did exactly what you described. As I said "I followed your directions and then started Notepad++".
Thanks for trying to make this work.
Well, let me try one more time. If you did exactly as I said than this is what you would have done.
Started Notepad++ and then followed my directions.
Not "I followed your directions and then started Notepad++"
daemon.devin
Your instructions start with "Download Installer: Notepad++Portable v7.4.2". I started with that and also then installed Notepad++. I then opened Notepad++ and followed the rest of your directions.
Okay. Well, sorry for the miscommunication.
Hope you find a solution.
daemon.devin
For me the following procedure has solved it (Windows 8.1):
1. Start notepad++ as an administrator.
2. Go to settings->preferences-> File Association.
3. Add .txt (which is under the tab notepad, at least in my version).
4. Now go to any .txt file in your system and open properties.
Go to open with and hit "change". Now the option "notepad++" should appear (without having to go to
"look for another app in this pc"). Choose it.
Yes, the procedure you used is O.K for Windows 8.1 and earlier, but Windows 10 (which the OP asked about) introduced added 'software security' which limits the user's ability to only making file associations work with fully installed software. The main workaround is to use one of the third-party file manager apps that has an inbuilt file association system, e.g. Q-Dir.