SetUserFTA – THE file type association utility

Set file type associations or default browser via command line or script

Effortlessly configure file type associations and set your preferred browser with a single command

show current associations

SetUserFTA “get” shows all current file type associations and default browser settings for the current user.

set default browser

SetUserFTA provides a list of all installed browsers and enables you to set the default with a single command.

group based associations

SetUserFTA allows you to assign file type associations according to group membership.

set default apps

SetUserFTA makes choosing your default associations effortless and efficient.

troubleshooting

SetUserFTA can display various configuration settings and filter the output to simplify troubleshooting.

export and import associations

SetUserFTA can export your current settings to a file and import it on another computer.

user based associations

SetUserFTA applies associations at the user level rather than the machine level.

reset associations

If an association is applied incorrectly, you can easily remove it with a single command using SetUserFTA. 

What is SetUserFTA

SetUserFTA is a powerful command-line tool designed to streamline the management of file type associations and default browser settings for Windows users. With SetUserFTA, you can easily configure which applications open specific file types, ensuring a seamless user experience across your organization. This tool also provides the capability to list all installed browsers and set the default browser with a single command, simplifying the process for administrators and end-users alike.

Ideal for multi-user systems, SetUserFTA allows you to apply file type associations based on group membership, making it easy to manage settings for different user roles. Additionally, it can display all current file type and default browser settings for the current user, offering clear insights into system configurations. Whether you’re setting up a new environment or maintaining an existing one, SetUserFTA delivers the flexibility and control you need to keep your systems running smoothly.

Full Feature List
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SetUserFTA was created in 2017 to make it easier to manage file type associations and default browser settings on Windows. It gives both users and administrators a quick, automated way to adjust these settings across many accounts and computers. Since then, SetUserFTA has been downloaded thousands of times and is now used in large environments worldwide. The tool is regularly updated with new features and support for newer Windows versions, making it reliable and widely adopted.

Christoph Kolbicz

Developer

Regain control over your file type associations

Download the personal edition

We offer the personal edition for non-commercial and trial purposes, allowing you to test its functionality before purchasing a license for your business environment. Please read the EULA before deploying it in your environment.

You can use this program for an unlimited time; however, a popup reminder will appear every 10th run.

This version is no longer under development and is provided solely for demonstration purposes. If this edition is not sufficient for testing, we can issue a time-limited trial of version 2.x (business customers only).

The personal edition is version 1.8.4 (required for Windows 11 Home and Pro)
Version 1.8.3 can still be downloaded here

We do not provide support for this edition

Note: This version requires wmic, which you may need to install first.
Just follow the instructions displayed in SetUserFTA.

Download Personal Edition
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Latest Articles

  • Legacy File Type Associations

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    setuserfta

    Introduction Windows manages file type associations primarily through the UserChoice registry mechanism. This modern system defines which program opens a given file type and is stored at: HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.ext\UserChoice However, there’s still an older method of defining associations legacy entries under: HKCU\Software\Classes\.ext (with a (Default) entry which points to a ProgId)…

  • Guide to Understanding ProgIDs and File Type Associations

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    setuserfta

    Overview In Windows, ProgIDs (Programmatic Identifiers) are unique labels that Windows uses to identify programs that can open specific types of files. ProgIDs don’t directly assign file types to applications but serve as the “identifier” that allows you to specify which program to use when setting file type associations. Let’s…