How can I automatically open files in an editor in Windows

Question

I work with a lot of different data in text files and the extensions are used for categorizing what data is contained so windows is always complaining that it doesn't know what to do with these files when I try to open them. Is there a way to get windows to automatically open file types it doesn't recognize in a specific program (notepad++) or is there a way to write a script or something to triple click, or middle mouse click etc the file to open it in notepad++.

I realize I can right click and there is an "Edit in Notepad++" option but when I'm working with a large number of files the less clicks/mouse movements the better.

I'm using Windows 7.

Answer 1

Don't change the file extension in your workflow. You can still indicate WHAT the file is in the filename and come up with a name scheme that will still sort the way you need it to. Keep the extension .txt.

Answer 2

Right click the file and go to properties. Right at the top, it says "Open with: _______" and the option to change what it opens with. This will set the particular file extension to always be opened with whatever program you choose.

Answer 3

I have found this tip (the same here), just adjusted to Notepad++ instead of Notepad:

Cut and paste the following script into notepadunknown.reg and run it.

REGEDIT4
BLANK LINE GOES HERE
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Unknown\shell\Open\Command] @="notepad++.exe %1"
BLANK LINE GOES HERE

This should work for all versions of Windows.

Answer 4

Amccaffrey,

Your file extensions and program associations are located below in the registry:

What you need to do is modify the program that is used for the extension you wish to change. If you want, this could be incorporated easily into most programming languages to automatically cycle through certain ones.

Hope this helps you along your way at least.