Default program not listed in windows10 settings

Question

TL;DR: read only bold text + check pictures.

I was trying to change .txt files default program to visual studio code,
the problem is, that when I open settings in windows 10 and try to change it there,
visual studio code is not listed in the default programs and there is no browse button,
so that I could pick any program I want via the path to it.

I have also tried to change the default app in right MB -> open with -> choose another app, but no luck, there was no permanent option.

How are you supposed to change the default program than?

Solution

If there was really no checkbox for "Always use this app to open .txt files" on your "Choose another app" menu, you might have luck changing your default app settings - which you can either search for on your Windows 10 or:

• Go to Control Panel

• Click Default Programs
• Click Set your default programs
• Click Choose default apps by file type
• Scroll down to .txt
• Change your application to Visual Studio Code

If that doesn't work, you should also be able to do so from command-line using the ftype and assoc commands:

ftype txtfile="C:\Path\To\Visual Studio Code.exe"
assoc .txt=txtfile

Reference: ftype, assoc

Comments

[harrymc]

Don't you have in the "Open with" dialog the check-box "Always use this app to open .txt f‌iles"?

[ItsDrike]

@harrymc as you could have seen in the picture, no I don't, the option is not there.

[ItsDrike]

The problem is, that on updated version of windows10, this does not work anymore, the control pannel will just send you back to new windows10 settings

[mael']

I edited the answer a little; so are you able to change it but it's not sticking? or are you unable to get to that "choose default apps by file type" screen?

[ItsDrike]

the command line method worked, but in control panel, under default programs, set your default programs will send you to windows settings, where, when i go to choose default apps by file and find .txt, there isn't visual studio code in options and no browse button so that I could add it, you can see that from the 1st picture.

[mael']

interesting; glad the command-line worked though!