Disabling the unknown File Extensions Prompt

In Windows when you try to open a file with an unknown extension (which Windows does not recognise), a prompt is displayed asking you if you want to use the web to search for the appropriate program that can open the file. As many users including myself, rarely use this web service and opt to select a program from the system, it is more appropriate to eliminate unnecessary steps like a never-used prompt. To remove the prompt you need to add a registry value called InternetOpenWith.

To start the registry editor, type regedit in the Start menu search text box and press enter.

In HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer create the DWORD InternetOpenWith with a value of 0.

• Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
• Key: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
• DWORD Name: InternetOpenWith
• DWORD Value: 0 = hide web service, 1 = display web-service

A word of caution – incorrectly editing the registry may severely damage your system. The above modifications are intended for Windows knowledgeable users who are familiar with the registry editor. Users are also reminded to take a backup of the registry before making any critical changes.