Quick Fixes: Resolve ‘This File Does Not Have an App Associated with It’ Error on Windows

Introduction

The “This file does not have an app associated with it for performing this action” error is a common issue in Windows, often preventing users from opening specific file types or launching applications. This error typically occurs due to misconfigured file associations, corrupted system files, or issues with installed applications. This guide will provide detailed solutions to help you resolve this error on Windows 10 or 11.

Why the Error Occurs

Missing Default Apps: Windows relies on default apps to open specific file types. If these apps are missing or misconfigured, the error will occur.
Corrupted Shortcuts: Shortcuts to applications or files might be corrupted, leading to this error.
System File Corruption: Damaged system files can interfere with file associations.
OneDrive Issues: OneDrive synchronization or updates can sometimes interfere with file associations.
Registry Problems: Corrupted registry entries related to file associations can trigger the problem.

Detailed Solutions

Method 1: Delete and Re-Create the App or Game Shortcut

Success Rate: 90%

If the error occurs when launching an app or game using a shortcut, the shortcut might be corrupted.

Remove the Existing Shortcut:

Right-click the shortcut and select Delete.

Re-Create the Shortcut:

Open File Explorer and locate the app or game’s folder (usually in C:\Program Files).
Find the executable file.
Right-click the file and select Show more options > Send to > Desktop (create shortcut).

Access the Newly Created Shortcut:

Press Win + D to access your desktop and double-click the new shortcut.

Method 2: Ensure the Required App Is Installed

Success Rate: 85%

Your PC might not have the app required to open the specific file type.

Identify the File Type:

Right-click the file and select Properties.
Check the file extension under Type of file.

Install the Required App:

Search for the app that can open your file type (e.g., Photoshop for PSD files).
Download and install the app.

Set the Default App:

Right-click the file and select Open with > Choose another app.
Choose the newly-installed app.

Method 3: Set the Default App for Your File Type

Success Rate: 80%

Setting the default app for a file type can resolve the issue.

On Windows 11:

Open Settings:

Press Win + I.

Select Apps:

Go to Apps > Default apps.

Choose Defaults by File Type:

Click Choose defaults by file type.

Set Default App:

Select your file type and choose the default app.

On Windows 10:

Open Settings:

Press Win + I.

Select Apps:

Go to Apps > Default apps.

Choose Default Apps by File Type:

Click Choose default apps by file type.

Set Default App:

Find your file extension and select Choose a default.

Method 4: Repair or Reinstall the App

Success Rate: 75%

If the required app is already installed but the file still doesn’t open, the app might be faulty.

Repair the App:

On Windows 11:

Open Settings:

Press Win + I.

Select Installed Apps:

Go to Apps > Installed apps.

Repair the App:

Find the app, select the three dots next to it, and choose Advanced options.
Click Repair.

On Windows 10:

Open Settings:

Press Win + I.

Select Apps:

Go to Apps > Apps & features.

Repair the App:

Find the app, select it, and choose Advanced options.
Click Repair.

Reinstall the App:

On Windows 11:

Uninstall the App:

Go to Apps > Installed apps.
Find the app, select the three dots next to it, and choose Uninstall.

Reinstall the App:

Visit the app developer’s website and download the latest version.

On Windows 10:

Uninstall the App:

Go to Apps > Apps & features.
Find the app, select it, and choose Uninstall.

Reinstall the App:

Visit the app developer’s website and download the latest version.

Method 5: Repair Corrupted System Files

Success Rate: 80%

Corrupted system files can cause this error. Use the System File Checker (SFC) tool to repair them.

Open Command Prompt as Administrator:

Press Win + X and select Command Prompt (Admin).

Run SFC Command:

Type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

Restart Your Computer:

Restart your PC after the scan completes.

Method 6: Use System Restore

Success Rate: 70%

If recent system changes caused the issue, rolling back to a previous state can help.

Open System Restore:

Press Win + R, type rstrui, and press Enter.

Select a Restore Point:

Choose a restore point created before the issue started.

Start the Restore Process:

Click Next and then Finish.

Summary

The “This file does not have an app associated with it” error can be resolved using several methods, each with its own success rate. Here’s a quick summary:

Delete and Re-Create the App or Game Shortcut: Remove the corrupted shortcut and create a new one.
Ensure the Required App Is Installed: Install the app needed to open the file type.
Set the Default App for Your File Type: Configure default apps for specific file types.
Repair or Reinstall the App: Fix or reinstall the app associated with the file type.
Repair Corrupted System Files: Use the SFC tool to repair damaged system files.
Use System Restore: Roll back recent system changes that might have caused the issue.

By applying these methods, you can effectively resolve the “This file does not have an app associated with it” error and restore normal functionality to your Windows system.

Tip: Always back up your data before performing major system changes.

Note: If the issue persists, consider running an antivirus scan to rule out malware interference.