Editing File association (section)

===Microsoft Windows===
The [[Microsoft Windows]] series of [[operating system]]s, beginning with [[Windows 3.x]] supports file extension-based associations.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.fandecheng.com/personal/interests/ewindows/windows3x/features.htm|title = Windows 3.x Features}}</ref> Associations are stored in [[Windows Registry|registry]]<ref>[http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/ms724475(v=vs.85).aspx HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Key]</ref> as sets of verbs for each file extension. Older versions supported ''open'' associations stored in [[WIN.INI]].
File associations can be displayed and edited using the <code>assoc</code> [[command (computing)|command]] and with the help of the <code>[[ftype]]</code> command it is possible to create association between file type and application which will open files of this type.<ref>[https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490865.aspx Microsoft TechNet Assoc article] on <code>assoc</code></ref><ref>[https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb490912.aspx Microsoft TechNet Ftype article] on <code>ftype</code></ref>

The Windows shell invokes file association actions through [[Component Object Model|COM]], drag and drop, command line calls or through [[Dynamic Data Exchange]]. Advanced features of Microsoft Windows file associations included manually defining a new file extension with any number of associated actions, a primary ''default action'', showing extensions only for specific file types, customizing the file type icon and description and customizing associated [[MIME]] type and their handling (how to handle file types for files downloaded or directly opened from within the [[Internet Explorer]] browser). The ability to configure advanced file association functionality, however, was removed in [[Windows Vista]] and later operating systems.