Are the default applications continuing to be cleared?
Are the default applications continuing to be cleared?
If the file association isn’t set correctly, Windows might revert to its default settings instead of functioning properly. Reach out to the software developer and ask them to spend a couple of minutes reviewing their documentation on setting file associations in Windows. It’s straightforward. I’ve already implemented this myself. Once other applications are working without problems, it’s likely the issue lies with that specific software. My suspicion is they might still rely on outdated methods from earlier Windows versions, and Microsoft has since discontinued those approaches. It’s unlikely they tested their product on Windows 10.
You'd need to check which programs are linked to your files manually. Also, the flashing icons you described seem to occur only when using certain default applications like Windows Photos or Edge, and not with older programs such as Paint or Foxit. The issue appears to be tied to modern applications, which is why you removed them and are now hoping Windows will reset the associations.
I absolutely agree that this is some next-level SH** MS has pulled. And that idea that it's the developers' fault for not using the 'correct' way to tell Windows to assign a program as default is DISGUSTINGLY @$$Backwards!!! Maybe some of us WANT to use an old version of software! It should be as simple as US telling the OS where to look for the program that we want to open a file. It's worked that way on pretty much all your previously SUCCESSFUL OSs. Stop making it WORSE, MS!!! It's ASININE that the USER's preference has come to have NO MEANING in something as simple as a file association! I'm here because I've recently reset my Win-10 laptop & am once again struggling to get this F***ING DUMB@$$ OS to respect the fact that I want to open PDF files with an older version of Foxit(why an older version? DOESN'T F***ING MATTER! Sufficeth to say, it does what I want it to do). When I first got the laptop, I had the same problem & found a solution(which now I don't have/remember). Unfortunately, that solution, or the one that let me auto-start programs PROPERLY, can't remember which fix it was, but one of them involved essentially GUTTING Windows' security (UAC or some SH**). I recently reset it because I could NOT get Windows to update AT ALL & I finally decided that leaving/using it this way was stupid, considering I got the laptop because I wanted to be getting security updates & my older laptop, which ran Win7Pro, was no longer supported in that way. I guess either the old fix for the PDF thing is not what I've found this time around, OR MS has just 'fixed' their OS so it's just this much more difficult to get it done. What I HAVE found this time around is that a certain couple registry mods, found here & here, fixed the issue, BUT ONLY FOR THE DEFAULT ADMIN ACCOUNT ON THE LAPTOP. This account wasn't even showing up before I reset the thing, but now it's a permanent fixture on the lower left of the login screen. Gee, MS, thanks for that extra piece of irremovable SH** on my screen, you dumb@$$ F***S!!! ANYway, when I login' to the default admin account, it's PDF file associations stick properly, despite opening multiple files by just double-clicking them in Windows Explorer(the way it's supposed to work, MS!). Those of my primary account, from which I have removed admin authority, do NOT stick! I can set the default PDF associated program to Foxit & it switches correctly. HOWEVER, the moment I open a PDF file with Foxit by double-clicking the file in Windows Explorer, Windows reverts the default app used to open PDF files back to Edge. FUUUUUU** EDGE!!!! So, for THAT account, my primary, I went and renamed Edge's .exe files so it COULDN'T open them with Edge. But NOW, when opening the PDF files after associating them with Foxit, Windows STILL REMOVES FOXIT FROM ITS POSITION AS DEFAULT!!! Not only that, but afterward, when you right click a PDF file & access its properties dialogue box, the "Change" button that's supposed to be there is GONE! I can set the system to open PDF's with Foxit by default within the OS Settings 'app', & then the "Change" button shows up properly in the Properties Dialogue box: ....but as soon as I open one with my preferred program, Windows reverts it back to opening with nothing... yea, it now brings up the 'open with' dialogue every time I try to open the un-associated files. So, I've gotten it to NOT open them with Edge, but now opening any PDF file(that I've navigated to with Windows Explorer) with Foxit involves an extra selection. This is MIND blowingly pathetically embarrassing to you Microsoft!(if any of them are reading this) That you would go to such incredible lengths to force your users in this way.... there aren't words to adequately describe how epically disgusting this experience is. I'm pretty sure I'll be using some Linux distro on my daily driver system by end of 2023!!! Windows USED TO be the go-to OS for power users & the like! Now it's just a disgrace! I hoped to find something useful here on the forum, but this thread from years ago was the only thing I could find after a few minutes of finagling the searched key words. @TetraSky Bruh! PLEASE tell me how you removed those "modern" Apps! I didn't think it was even possible as they're baked so deep into the OS(particularly interested in removing Edge so I can again control what program opens PDF files by default). PLEASE hook us up with that knowledge, man!
Edge removal isn't always possible. Back then, I simply executed a PowerShell command to eliminate most contemporary applications. I frequently used the mentioned forums: https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/ https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4689...-10-a.html (option 13) https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/1431...-10-a.html (to bring back the old viewer after deleting modern software) WinAero Tweaker is also helpful for this task https://winaero.com These days, more efficient alternatives exist (I posted about one in 2017). Pre-built scripts like this one on GitHub can perform similar tasks, though they remove all bloatware rather than just modern apps. The key is to be selective.
@TetraSky SOOoooo legit! I wish this forum platform would let me attribute the 'Like' AND the 'Informative' votes to your post cuz you're AMAZING! MANY Thanks! (Here's hopin' I remember to save this info/software for later. Incase I need to actually 'fresh-install' instead of just use the "Reset" feature like I did recently)
Attempt using Adobe Reader to see if the issue persists. The problem seems linked to Windows 10, possibly affecting XP or even NT4 file associations. Developers had time to fix it but some chose to ignore the documentation instead of addressing the root cause. It might just be a simple oversight. If you're using a different version of FoxIt Reader, there could be compatibility reasons. Try removing the reader to check for conflicts. With the latest Adobe Reader, a Windows bug might be present; resolving it would require developer attention.
The problem seems to involve Edge performing actions during login. File associations need manual configuration via Windows 10 Settings. Foxit provides a solid, established alternative to Adobe's PDF dominance and allows licensing the editor version through SCCM. I would consider Foxit if this also impacted the Default browser on login.
In my case, it works consistently without needing any login steps. After adjusting the default settings to my preference, simply launching Windows Explorer and opening a PDF file will launch it with the desired program. Once it opens, Windows tries to revert the default selection. I recently tested this with Foxit, which initially needed navigating through settings to set the default by file type—this process is slow, involves many entries, and lacks a search option. It’s quite frustrating!
Here’s a rephrased version of your message:
You mentioned some concerns about the FOXIT developers and Microsoft’s OS. I find it hard to accept that any changes they make should affect how the operating system behaves for users. The notion that Microsoft’s actions are necessary to accommodate user settings is not only questionable but also disrespectful. As the developer of the OS, Microsoft is responsible for these issues. There’s no justification for expecting them to alter their software to meet such requirements. Users shouldn’t have to rely on third-party tools to override default settings in their operating system. I’m using Windows myself, and it’s doing exactly what I expect. This situation feels unfair and goes against consumer expectations.