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When I install Paint .NET, it creates the Edit in the context menu file for .PNG and other file types. However, when I install ACD See, it suddenly change the program for Edit command. Windows Paint is opened instead of Paint .NET. I also uninstall ACD See, but the Edit command is still executed by Windows Paint.

Please tell me how to change back (I don't want Paint .NET open it for default, I just need the Edit command).

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2 Answers

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To restore only the "Edit" menu item functionality, edit the registry key

HKCR\pngfile\shell\contextmenu\edit\command\@

and set its value to be 

"C:\Program Files\Paint.NET\PaintDotNet.exe" "%1"

(change to wherever you installed Paint.NET)

To restore the file icon and all its associated commands, modify the registry key

HKCR\.png\@

and set it to be 

Paint.Net.1

This might not work if there are per-user overrides in place. Look for and delete these registry keys:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.png
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\.png

See Delete Windows file association using .reg file for details.

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Thank you for your reply. But... the key's value has been already the path to Paint .NET program! But when I choose Edit, Windows Paint still open. Is @ = (Default)? I even create a String named @ and copy the value of (Default) value, but it still doesn't work! – W.N. Jul 11 '11 at 8:53
@ is indeed (Default). Did you try the second option? It is possible that HKCR\.png\@ does not point to pngfile but to some ACDSee entry. Try setting it to either pngfile or Paint.Net.1 – Soumya Jul 11 '11 at 9:05
Yes, its default value was pngfile, and I changed it to Paint.Net.1, but still doesn't work :( – W.N. Jul 11 '11 at 9:09
@W.N. See my edit – Soumya Jul 11 '11 at 9:17
Wow, it works :) Thank you very much! – W.N. Jul 11 '11 at 10:28
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If it wasn't too long ago, see if the system restore point is still around. There will almost always be a restore point before every install. Otherwise, you can export the relevant parts of the registry, find and replace, them import it back.

Basically, Regedit exports as a text file. You want to export the ".*" keys under HK Classes Root. Then just look for Windows paint (mspaint.exe, I think) and replace it with Paint.NET(no idea the path).

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It's bad that there's no System Restore point before I installed ACD See :( – W.N. Jul 11 '11 at 9:00
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