Windows users know that files of certain types are tied to certain programs such that double-clicking on that file will cause it to open in a particular program. For example, clicking on a DOC file will open the file in Microsoft Word. This is done because Windows has associated DOC files with Microsoft Word. Sometimes the file associations get screwed up and don\’t work. If there is no program associated with a file type, the file will display with a blank icon and double-clicking that file will cause Windows to ask you what program to use to open it.

You can repair your file associations easily. In Windows Explorer, click on Tools > Folder Options. Then click on the File Types tab. Windows will look for all file types on your system and display them. Scroll down and find the file type you need to associate with a program. To edit it, highlight the file type and click "Change". Select the program from the list to open the file type with. If the program you need is not displayed, click "Browse" and go find the EXE file of the program you want to open the file with. Save your changes with the "OK" button. To add a brand new file type, you can hit the "New" button, type in the name of the file extension and save.