Fix: “This File Does Not Have a Program Associated with It” Error

This article will show you how to Fix “This File Does Not Have a Program Associated with It” Error. In Windows 11/10, you can use different commands to open different screens in the Settings panel. This guide may help you if you get a program association error when you try to open a Settings page. This problem can also happen when you open a file from a third party on your Windows machine.

Anyone with even a passing knowledge of the Windows Operating System is aware of its frailty. If you want to know more information about this Visit Official Microsoft Support site. Even tinkering with the smallest system files or most important registry keys can cause important system functions and features to become unstable or stop working altogether.

This is true for every version of Windows, even Windows 11/10. AppData is a folder in the C:WindowsUsers directory that holds most of the information related to programs and apps that have been installed. It also acts as a place to store the settings and preferences for each user account on the computer. We mentioned below are the ways to Fix “This File Does Not Have a Program Associated with It” Error.

Scan your computer for malware

The “This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action” error is sometimes caused by Spora ransomware. It makes UAC ask the user for permission to run the threat that encrypts files. Such orders are hidden as Microsoft processes, so users who don’t know what’s going on turn them on. So, as a first step, scan your computer for malware. You can do this with the built-in Windows Defender.

1. Type “security” into the Windows search box and choose Security for Windows
2. Choose security from viruses and threats
3. Select Scan choices.
4. Choose Full scan, then Scan now.

Update Windows

Updates for Windows are important for all computers that use this operating system. Updates not only give users better features, but they also fix bugs, make the system more stable, and stop malware attacks. So, make sure that you have the most recent version of Windows:

1. Start, then right-click and choose Settings
2. Go to Security and Updates.
3. Click on Check for changes on the right side of the window.
4. Wait until Windows gets new updates and runs them.
5. Restart your computer and see if the problem is still there.

Modify Windows registry

This method is likely to help most people. But please keep in mind that changing the Windows registry in the wrong way could cause the system to break. So, the first thing you should do is back it up.

1. Type “regedit” in the Windows search box and press “Enter.”
2. If UAC appears, click “Yes.”
3. Click on File > Export once the Registry Editor is open.
4. Choose where to save a copy of your Registry.
5. Make sure that Export range is set to All, and then click Save.

Now, follow the steps below to Fix “This File Does Not Have a Program Associated with It” Error:

1. Go to the key below: HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Lnkfile
2. Click on the empty spot on the right and choose New > String Value. Call it IsShortcut and close the Registry editor.

Run System File Checker via Command Prompt

System File Checker can be viewed through Command Prompt, which is a window that pops up and into which you can type commands. Even though it might not look like it, it’s pretty easy to use as long as you paste the right order into it. So, to check for damaged system files, do the following:

1. Type cmd into the Windows search box
2. Right-click on the result for Command Prompt and choose “Run as administrator.“
3. Click Yes if User Account Control comes up.
4. In the new window that just opened, type the following command and press Enter:
   • sfc /scannow
5. Wait until Windows finishes the scan and fixes any problems on its own.

Choose a default app for the problematic file

Because the problem is with how files are linked, picking a default program for the problem file might fix the “This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action” error. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Start, then right-click and choose Settings
2. Choose Apps
3. Choose Default apps from the list on the left.
4. Scroll down and click on Choose usual apps by file type.
5. Find the type of file that goes with it
6. Click the plus (+) button and pick the tool you want to use to open the file.

Use files and folders troubleshooter

Microsoft made a quick fix for errors like “This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action.” Go to the site below and click on the Download button to get Windows File and Folder Troubleshooter. When the file is downloaded, double-click it to open the Troubleshooter. Just click “Next” and then follow the on-screen directions.