Examine File Extensions and File Associations in Windows 7

[Nick]

Examine File Extensions and File Associations in Windows 7

Use these commands to look up file extensions and file associations in the command shell and in Windows PowerShell.

File extensions for applications are referred to as file associations. Each known exten¬sion on a system has a file association that you can view at a command prompt by typing the assoc command followed by the extension. For instance:

assoc .doc


Each file association in turn specifies the file type for the file extension. This can be viewed at a command prompt by typing the ftype followed by the file association. For instance:

ftype Word.Document.8


Assoc and Ftype are internal commands for the command shell (Cmd.exe). But you can also use these commands from the Windows PowerShell prompt. To use the Assoc command in PowerShell, enter cmd /c assoc followed by the extension. For example:

cmd /c assoc .doc


To use the Ftype command in PowerShell, enter cmd /c ftype followed by the file association. For example:

cmd /c ftype Word.Document.8


From the Microsoft Press book Windows 7 Administrator’s Pocket Consultant by William R. Stanek.

credit: technet.microsoft.com