Windows 7 has a built-in utility for configuring file associations called 'Default Programs.' This tool allows you to assign specific programs to one or more file extensions using a simple graphical interface. This will set iTunes as the default program for all. For example, if you prefer to play MP3 files in iTunes rather than Windows Media Player, you can change the '.mp3' file association to iTunes. These relationships between programs and file extensions are also called 'file associations.' Both the Windows and Macintosh operating systems allow you to change file associations if you don't like the default program that is associated with a certain file type.
Therefore, the operating system needs to know which program to open by default when you double-click a JPEG image file.īoth Windows and Macintosh computers store a list of default programs for each file extension. For example, your computer may have over a dozen applications that can open. If the file opens in Microsoft Word, then Microsoft Word is the default program.ĭefault programs are necessary since many file types can be opened by more than one program. TXT file in Windows and it automatically opens in Notepad, then Notepad is the default program for files with a '.txt' extension. A default program is an application that opens a file when you double-click it.
