How do I associate .htm's Edit option with Notepad in Windows 7?

Question

I have a number of files on my Windows 7 machine with .htm extensions. When I right click on these files I get a menu of options (Open/Edit/Print etc.) The EDIT option is currently mapped to Microsoft Word and I want to map it to Notepad.

I have tried right clicking on the file and selecting Open With/Choose default program but that only lets me set the program for the Open menu item not the Edit menu item. I have also tried Start/Default Programs/Associate a file type, but this also only lets me change the Open option.

Any ideas? I am sure I used to be able to do this in Windows XP.

Answer 1

To change it without using 3rd party software:

Open Internet Explorer. Go to Tools > Internet Options. Select the Programs tab. Change the 'HTML Editing' option to whatever you want to use (e.g. Notepad).

Answer 2

I was just about to refer you to the Folder Options -> File Types menu until I realized that you're using Windows 7. Microsoft in their wisdom removed/didn't recreate this tab in Windows 7.

I've used this utility on several occasions and its performed as expected (opening in its own window but performing the same task): http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/file_types_manager.html

Answer 3

Reccommending Default Programs Editor for this, because along with many other features, it was designed for Vista/Windows 7 and plays nice with UAC.

The context menu editor is quite powerful, allowing you to add or edit context menu items without hassle:

Additionally, it allows you to remove that 'default programs' association that Windows won't let you un-check:

Answer 4

the problem here is not file association, unless you want to associate Notepad as the default program to open all HTML files (rather than your web browser).

i recommend this method instead:

1. Enter the program's executable name (notepad.exe) as a subkey of these two registry key's shown below:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.htm\OpenWithList\notepad.exe]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.html\OpenWithList\notepad.exe]

2. And add an "edit" subkey here:

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\notepad.exe]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\notepad.exe\shell]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\notepad.exe\shell\edit]
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\notepad.exe\shell\edit\command]
Default = C:\WINDOWS\notepad.exe "%1"

3. To change the default editor, replace the "Default" entry in this registry key with the command line for your prefered editor:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Default HTML Editor]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Default HTML Editor\shell]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Default HTML Editor\shell\edit]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Default HTML Editor\shell\edit\command]
Default = C:\WINDOWS\notepad.exe "%1"

Answer 5

Creative Element Power Tools includes a File Type Doctor program that can do it...

Answer 6

Ramesh Srinivasan has written a script to add a new program to the list. Download it here: http://windowsxp.mvps.org/htmleditor.htm