Solved How to select new default programs when the "More Apps" link is Greyed Out

bobhalverson · Jan 21, 2022

I'm not a fan of Microsoft's reworked Paint program, so I downloaded Paint Classic as an alternative.
It seems to work exactly like the old Paint program, so I'm happy about that.
However, I can't figure out a way to make it the default program to open jpg files.
When I hover on a jpg file and click "Open with", Paint Classic is not on the list.
I then click on "Choose another App" which brings a pop-up of alternatives.
Paint Classic is not on that list either, and the "More Apps" link is greyed out.
Win 11 has at least six ways to change default programs - I had the same issue with each of them.
So is there a way to force the Paint Classic program to be the default for jpg's under these circumstances?

bobhalverson · Jan 21, 2022

I also tried Settings>Apps>Default Apps where you can set defaults for applications.
Neither the app Classic Paint or the file mspaint1.exe will show up on the list so you could set defaults on it.

The-Hive · Jan 21, 2022

right click on the file you want to open, select "open with" then maybe "more options" if needed, when you find the app you want set it as default

bobhalverson · Jan 21, 2022

When I hover on a jpg file and click "Open with", Paint Classic is not on the list.
I then click on "Choose another App" which brings a pop-up of alternatives.
Paint Classic is not on that list either, and the "More Apps" link is greyed out.

The-Hive · Jan 21, 2022

Just to check, can you open Paint Classic and open the file from there

bobhalverson · Jan 21, 2022

Yes, I'm able to do that.
Just can't make it the default like I want...

bobhalverson · Jan 21, 2022

If I go to Settings>Apps>Apps & Features --------- Classic Paint is on that list.
But all I can do from there is uninstall it...

bobhalverson · Jan 21, 2022

I tried restarting my PC to see if that would make it show on "the list" (after just downloading the program).
Didn't make any difference.
I also tried looking for the program in the Microsoft Store -- it's not there.
Probably because Microsoft doesn't want to enable us to easily use retired versions of their software...

bobhalverson · Jan 21, 2022

In Googling possible solutions, I looked for articles that discussed doing reg edits to add programs on "the list".
I found a few things but nothing that seemed instructive enough that I felt comfortable trying it...

bobhalverson · Jan 21, 2022

I ended up figuring out how to solve this myself, thanks to Fix #6 on this webpage:

Fix File Type Association Error in Windows 10 / 11

File Type Association is a relationship between a set of the same types of files and an application, such that this particular type of file will be opened with

thegeekpage.com

The instruction I entered at the Command Prompt was:

ftype jpegfile="C:\Windows\System32\mspaint1.exe" "%1"

It shows up on "the list" as merely "Paint", but it has the classic icon.
The current MS Paint is also on the list with the current icon.
I was a little worried that I would have to enter the ftype command every time I logged in.
But when I shut down and restarted, everything was still there.
Passing this info along in case it helps someone else along the way...

bobhalverson · Jan 23, 2022

Just for completeness, I previously used regedit to try to change the file association list for jpg's

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\

Under the jpg folder, I added a new dword with the next letter in the list and the program I wanted to add..
This did not work, but I didn't remove this registry change...