Windows Tools, Help & Guides

When you try to open an unknown file type in windows, you’ll be prompted to Use the Web Service to find the correct program or Select a program from a list of installed programs. This can become annoying if you never use it; in this guide you will learn how to disable this feature.

Please Note: This guide involves working with the Windows Registry. If this is your first time editing the registry, please read this guide to get you started. Learn how to backup and restore your registry here.

Implementing the Registry Hack

We will create and use a registry hack to force Windows to skip this dialog altogether, and give you a list of applications to use to open the file instead – just as if you had selected the second option.

When you double click on an unknown file, you will instead see the following style of screen.

You may either create a registry hack, or download a copy I made for you.

Download the Registry Hack

Downloadable Registry Hack for Vista or XP

To apply the registry hack, just double-click on the DisableInternetOpenWith.reg file and enter the information into the registry.

Create the Registry Hack

1. Press the windows key and R
2. Type in regedit

3. Now you will see the registry editor.

4. Go to the following entry:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

5. Create a new 32-bit DWORD value on the right-hand side with the following values:
• Name: NoInternetOpenWith
• Value: 1

6. Close the registry editor and the changes will be in effect.

NOTE: To reset back to default, set the value to 0 or delete the key.