Setting File Associations in PSP
Win Xp doesn't play fair!
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When you first install any version of PSP, after you register your copy, the first thing it asks you to do is set the file format association preferences.
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You can also reach this dialog box by going to File->Preferences->File Format Associations.
In the beginning of your experience with PSP the most common file types you will be working with are .jpg and .gif and of course .psp and .pspimage--depending on which verison you have. That is not to say that you will not use the other formats but for the purpose of this tutorial we will concentrate on these types only.
When you check (some are checked by default) any of the file types listed in the File Format Association dialog box you are telling Windows that PSP is the program you want to use to view these types of files. Win98 and WinXP both handle this request differently.
When you associate a file to PSP the windows icon changes to the PSP icon in both versions of Windows.
When you click on the associated file in Explorer98 the file launches PSP so that it can be viewed. But, when you click on the associated file in ExplorerXP the image is viewed in the fax viewer and does not launch PSP. (There is a registry hack to keep XP grabbing the file but that is beyond the scope of this tutorial, check in a psp newsgroup if you are interested in this.) If the file is in PSP format, however, both versions will launch PSP.
If you are unsure which files to associate with PSP just accept the default when asked to set them. If you wish to unassociate any of the files you have chosen first open PSP and go to File->Preferences->File Format Associations and select the extension from the list and click delete. Then go to Windows
- Windows 98
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- Click start, point to settings, click Folder Options, and then click the File Types tab.
- In the Registered file types list, click the file type or the file extension that you want to remove, and then click Remove.
- Windows XP
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- Right-click on a file you wish to change, and then click Open With.
- In the Open With dialog box, click the program you wish to associate the file with, or click Browse to find the program you want.
- Select the Always use the selected program to open this kind of file check box.
I like to look into Explorer and be able to distinguish between gif, jgp, and psp files just by looking at the icons that way I know immediately which files I am working on and which are completed, therefore I do not associate any of my image files with PSP and just accept the defaults when asked. You might find this useful also. If you are upgrading to a higher version of PSP, keep in mind that your icons will change to the newest version and psp formatted files will open in the newest version as well. If you wish to prevent this from happening it is best to de-select all the file types when installing the new version.
I hope you have learned something from this tutorial. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns please feel free to .
