Monday, June 13, 2011

Microsoft Windows File Extensions and Their Association

In windows operating system groups file extensions play an important role. All the files that exist in windows operating systems have certain extensions. Most of them which you remember are .sys, .dll etc. These are all the system files. Windows operating system understands the files by their extensions and uses appropriate programme to open the files for the user. For example when you open Microsoft help, Windows help it has a certain extension and it exists as a file and then operating system uses Microsoft explorer to open the file for you.

There are thousands of file types which exist and so are their extensions. But for windows all these extensions are not same certain programs are needed to be associated to the files. For files which are pictures and have extensions like .jpeg and .bmp windows opens either Windows fax and picture viewer or Microsoft Paint for these files. One of the major problems and end user faces is de-association of file extensions or improper association of file types. Various viruses or spywares might affect your computer by changing the file associations which could lead to system failure. Microsoft support, Microsoft help, Windows support has got lot of end users calling for system failure and that most commonly is caused by file associations changed by spywares.

All the settings for the file associations are managed by registry and if there are changes happening that happen in registry. One should make sure to consult Tech support or Microsoft support or Windows help prior to making any change in registry. Various spyware removal programs while removing spywares on your computer might affect the file associations. The safe way is to first take a back up of either registry or make a system restore point so that you can return back to the state where you have all the file associations intact. Most of the spyware removal programs promise to remove spywares but you should be sure of the right programme for you. Consult HP support, Dell Support, Microsoft support or any third party Tech support prior to installing and configuring these programs.

Norton and other antivirus vendors also provide Tech support for the removal of the spywares and viruses. They also install their self developed products for the removal of spywares and viruses.

Source: http://goo.gl/OtDng


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