Windows Vista How to associate .txt files with Notepad2

Perhaps I am missing something obvious, (yet again), but I am having problems in changing a particular file association.

Currently, my *.txt files are associated with, and opened by, Notepad, which is not a major problem. However, I much prefer to use the freeware program Notepad2, available from www.flos-freeware.ch/notepad2.html.

The executable for this program is not stored in the usual C:\Program Files area although this never caused any issue with XP Pro.

So, when I go to the right click context menu and select 'Open with' I am presented with two defaults for the *.txt extension, Notepad, (the MS one) and WordPad.

If I check 'Other Programs' there is, clearly nothing there that I want to use, so I then click on the 'Browse' button. I can then navigate to the specific program, named, (unsurprisingly), Notepad2.exe.


I can see this program OK but how do I add it to my list of alternative programs. When I right click I get the 'Select' option, which, perhaps naively, I thought would do the job, but after clicking on that the various pages clear and the 'Open with' offerings remain unchanged.


I must be doing something wrong, or stupid, but after wasting endless time I'm getting nowhere.


Any ideas?

 

Right click>Open With>Browse>select Notepad2 and check the box labled 'Always open this file type with selected program' then click OK. txt file should now open with Notepad2 by default.

 

Unfortunately, doing all of the 'right things' didn't work and the executable was effectively invisible.

I have carried out some detailed investigations and found the problem was caused by changing the location of the file after the initial download. Registry entries were showing the original path and so the program more or less got lost.

A certain amount of Registry editing, renaming the path and deleting old and incorrect links resolved the issue satisfactorily.

It's a pity that the process of reconfiguring short cut details, after moving the file, which took place automatically in the background, didn't apply to the Registry settings but at least there is now an answer, and a warning.

If you change locations of files after initial installation be prepared for the Registry to be out of step with the current situation. Simple editing, if registry editing is ever 'simple' resolves things.

 

Thanks for the update, Alan. Glad you've gotten it resolved.