Adding Programs To “Open With” Menu?

A Comprehensive Guide to Adding Programs to the “Open With” Menu

We frequently find ourselves juggling several files and applications on our laptops in the digital age. Whether it’s a picture, a paper, or a media file, how we use these files can have a significant impact on how productive we are. The “Open With” option is among the most helpful features found in the majority of operating systems. This feature gives users freedom and makes working with different formats easier by letting them select alternative programs to open a particular file type. Many users, however, are not aware of the options available in this menu or how to alter it to suit their requirements. For both Windows and macOS users, this post will go into great detail about how to add apps to the “Open With” menu.

Understanding the “Open With” Menu

Let’s first define the “Open With” menu and discuss its significance before moving on to how to change it. One of the options that appears when you right-click on a file on your operating system is “Open With.” A list of programs that can open the chosen file type is displayed in this menu. It usually comes with a default program, but it also gives the user options. The “Open With” feature has the benefit of giving users the option to open the same file in other applications, which improves user experience.

Why Customize the “Open With” Menu?

You may significantly improve your workflow by personalizing the “Open With” menu. The following are some justifications for adding programs to this list:

Quick Access to Often Used Applications: Adding a program to the “Open With” menu can save time if you frequently use it for particular file types.

Multi-Format Compatibility: Certain jobs, like editing videos or manipulating photos, are better suited for specific programs. You can open files in the desired application without having to navigate through several directories if you add them.

User Preference: Not every user prefers to utilize the built-in apps. You can match the selections on the menu to your own tastes by personalizing it.

Enhanced Productivity: Accessing the necessary tools more quickly is possible with a well-structured “Open With” menu.

Adding Programs to the “Open With” Menu on Windows

Depending on the version of Windows being used, Windows users may have slightly different options for how to add programs to the “Open With” menu. Detailed instructions for the most popular Windows versions are provided below.

Making Use of the Context Menu by Right-Clicking:

Find the file type you want to customize (e.g., a .jpg file).
Right-click the file and choose

Open with

>

Choose another app

.
If you see the program you want to add, select it. If not, scroll down and click on

More apps

.
If the program still doesn t appear, scroll further down and click on

Look for another app on this PC

.
Navigate to the application s .exe file and select it.
Before clicking

OK

, ensure you check the box that says

Always use this app to open .[file extension] files

if you want to set it as the default app.

Registry Editing by Hand (For Advanced Users):

Press
Windows + R
, type
regedit
, and hit Enter to open the Registry Editor.
Navigate to:
```
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOTApplications
```
Here you ll see a list of installed applications. Find the one you want to add (or create a new key if it doesn t exist).
After selecting the application s folder, right-click and choose

New

>

String Value

.
Name this value as
FriendlyAppName
to give the program a name that will appear in the “Open With” menu.
To add the application to a specific file type, navigate to:
```
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.[file extension]OpenWithList
```
and include the name of the program in a new string value.

and include the name of the program in a new string value.

Employing External Resources:

There are various third-party applications such as

OpenWithEnhanced

or

OpenWith.org

that allow you to customize the “Open With” menu easily, providing a graphical interface for users who prefer not to delve into the registry.

For users using Windows 7 and 8, the procedure is comparable. But the UI of these versions is a little different:

Adding Programs to the “Open With” Menu on macOS

Although the method is a little different, the “Open With” menu can also be customized for macOS users.

Making Use of the Context Menu

Right-click (or Control-click) the desired file.
Hover over

Open With

in the context menu. This will show you a list of applications that can open the file.
To choose a different application, select

Other

from this list. This will open a dialog box.
Navigate to the application you want to add. If it s not in the default list, find it in the

Applications

folder.
Before selecting it, check the box that says

Always Open With

if you want to set it as the default app.
Click

Open

.

How to Use the Finder Info Pane:

Select the file and press
Command + I
or right-click and choose

Get Info

.
In the

Open with

section, select the desired application from the dropdown menu. If it s not listed, click

Other

to find it.
Once selected, click the button

Change All

to set the application as the default for all files of this type.

Making changes to the Info.plist:

More advanced users might consider editing the Info.plist file for specific applications, though this is generally not necessary for standard customization.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Although adding apps to the “Open With” option can help you work more efficiently, there are a few frequent problems that users may encounter. Here are some pointers for troubleshooting:

Application Not Appearing: Verify that the application is compatible with the file type you are attempting to open if it is not appearing in the “Open With” list.
Problems with Default Programs: Occasionally, changing a default application doesn’t take effect right away. Restarting your computer can reset the settings in this situation.
Registry Edits: It’s a good idea to keep a backup of the registry settings in case something goes wrong when you manually alter the registry. Registry changes should be done carefully since they may impact system stability.
File Association Conflicts: On sometimes, different programs may assert that they can handle the same kind of file. Conflicts in the “Open With” menu may result from this. You might have to remove or reassign file associations in certain situations.

Application Not Appearing: Verify that the application is compatible with the file type you are attempting to open if it is not appearing in the “Open With” list.

Problems with Default Programs: Occasionally, changing a default application doesn’t take effect right away. Restarting your computer can reset the settings in this situation.

Registry Edits: It’s a good idea to keep a backup of the registry settings in case something goes wrong when you manually alter the registry. Registry changes should be done carefully since they may impact system stability.

File Association Conflicts: On sometimes, different programs may assert that they can handle the same kind of file. Conflicts in the “Open With” menu may result from this. You might have to remove or reassign file associations in certain situations.

Conclusion

By saving you time and enabling instant access to your favorite apps, knowing how to modify your “Open With” menu can greatly improve your user experience. Understanding how to use these fundamental tools can help digital workflows run more smoothly, whether you’re a Windows user handling registry keys or a macOS user using the Finder data pane.

Including the appropriate tools and procedures in your system promotes efficiency as well as a customized workspace that meets your particular requirements. Even though it could seem overwhelming to some, the process is doable with time and effort. You can take charge of how your files are opened and make sure that each file is suited to the program that best fits its format by using these comprehensive instructions. Take use of the versatility provided by the “Open With” menu to have a more customized computing experience.