How to Export or Import Default Application Associations on Windows

Windows lets user make their own default application association choices, but when the user performs a feature update, these settings often tend to be lost, and Windows resets everything to its defaults. So, today we will try to create a backup of this configuration settings and learn how to restore it just to regain all your settings back as they were before the update.


Export the Application Associations with Command Prompt

Open the Command Prompt by typing cmd.exe into Start Menu, right-click on Cmd.exe, and open it as an administrator.

Now, type in the following command and hit Enter.





This will create a file named as DefaultApplicationAssociations.xml on your Desktop.

You can use this file to restore your configuration anytime.



Import the Application Associations with Command Prompt

Open the Command Prompt by typing cmd.exe into Start Menu, right-click on Cmd.exe, and open it as an administrator.

Now, type in the following command and hit Enter.





Reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.


Reset the Application Association Configuration with Command Prompt

Open the Command Prompt by typing cmd.exe into Start Menu, right-click on Cmd.exe, and open it as an administrator.

Now, type in the following command and hit Enter.





Reboot your computer for the changes to take effect.



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