Fix “This File Does Not Have An App Associated With It For Performing This Action” on Windows

This File Does Not Have An App Associated With It For Performing This Action error is the common error message that occurs to so many Windows users due to corrupted system files and issues on File Explorer, and if something occurs, Don’t Worry. Here, you will get the solution to this error, so follow each and every step.

It is quite a standard error message on Windows 10 if the user runs a game, a third-party program, or opens a file. The user can also get this error while launching the USB drive because of AutoPlay Settings, and while opening the Settings app or Display settings, you can get the error message.

Mostly you will get this error message while opening a file, app, or game on Windows 10. Generally, the This File Does Not Have An App Associated With It For Performing This Action error message occurs while trying to open the file or running the app or game.

Reasons That Cause This Issue:

Some of the reasons This File Does Not Have An App Associated With It For Performing This Action are

• Damaged system files.
• Problems with Windows Explorer and Microsoft OneDrive.
• Issues on Explorer, Excel, Adobe Reader, or OneDrive.
• Enable AutoPlay Settings.

Methods to Fix This File Does Not Have An App Associated With It For Performing This Action

In the below section, you can get the complete guide to fixing the This File Does Not Have An App Associated With It For Performing This Action; these are simple and easily and effectively fix the issue. The user can also get this error while launching the USB drive because of AutoPlay Settings, and while opening the Settings app or Display settings, you can get the error message.

#1. Create a New Windows User Account

• Open Windows Settings by pressing the Windows + I keys on the keyboard.

• Then select the Accounts tab.

• Now, below the Family & Other Users tab, select the Add Someone Else to this PC option.

• Click on the I don’t have this person’s sign-in information.
• After that, tap on Add a user without a Microsoft account option.

• Finally, enter the username and password.

#2. Run SFC

Due to damaged system files, you cannot launch the file and get the issue. This File Does Not Have An App Associated With It for Performing This Action, run the SFC scan; we are providing the steps to do it.

• Open Command Prompt and run as administrator.

• Then enter the sfc/scannow and hit Enter.

• It takes a few seconds to finish the scanning process.
• Finally, Restart the computer to apply the changes.

#3. Run DISM

After running the sfc, the user must run the DISM to fix the issues; to do this, the user must follow some simple steps.

• Type cmd on the search bar and select the Command Prompt and run as administrator.

• Then enter DISM.exe /online/ cleanup-image / restore health and tap on Enter.

• Wait for some time to complete the scanning process.

#4. Turn Off AutoPlay

Sometimes the AutoPlay setting is enabled, which leads to the issue. You must disable the AutoPlay option to fix this issue.

• Launch Windows Settings by pressing the Windows + I keys on the keyboard.
• Then select the Devices tab.

• Please switch to Use AutoPlay for all media and devices and disable AutoPlay.
• Next, go to AutoPlay Settings to determine whether the Removable drive and Memory card are working or not; Take no action.

#5. Modify Registry

Before doing this, the user must create the system restore point or simply backup the registry keys, then change the registry; follow the simple steps below carefully.

• On the Windows search bar, type Registry Editor and Run as administrator.

• Move to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Lnkfile.
• You need to check the value, i.e. IsShortcut, shown on the right panel.
• If the user cannot see it, recreate it by right-tapping the empty space, selecting the New and String Value, and naming it a IsShortcut.

You can check the other value by following the below simple steps

• Move to the following path i.e

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{20D04FE0-3AEA-1069-A2D8-08002B30309D}\shell\Manage\command

• Then double-tap on the Default in the right panel.
• Set the value data to %SystemRoot%\system32\CompMgmtLauncher.exe.

#6. Remove Certain Keys from the Registry

If the user-facing This File Does Not Have An App Associated With It For Performing This Action, then you need to remove specific keys on the registry. To do this, the user must follow some simple steps.

• Open the Registry Editor and Run as administrator.

• Then move to HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Directory\shell.
• Enlarge the Shell folder and remove/delete the find and cmd folders.

#7. Reset File Association

Usually, Windows 10 will launch the files to its default apps by Default; sometimes, setting modifications cause the issue. So try to reset the file association to solve the issue.

• Open Settings on Windows by pressing the Windows + I keys at a time on the keyboard.
• Then select the Apps tab.

• Now, move to the Default Apps section.
• Finally, reset to the Microsoft recommended defaults.

#8. Add User Account to the Administrator Group

So many people said that adding the user account to the administrator group will help to fix the This File Does Not Have An App Associated With It For Performing This Action issue.

Follow the below steps to do the process

• Launch Run Utility by pressing the Windows + R keys at a time on the keyboard.
• Then enter lusrmgr.msc and tap on the OK button.

• Select the Groups option and then double-tap on the Administrators on the right side of the screen.

• Tap on Add option on the Properties tab.

• Enter the object names select field, give the user name, tap on Check Names, and then OK. Or, Go to Advanced and tap Find Now to find the user name.
• At last, tap OK and then Apply to save the changes.

#9. Open the File Through File Explorer

Launch the files that had issues on File Explorer; so many people said that the error message is due to accessing the files with the help of a search bar or timeline tool; using File Explorer will help to fix the issue.

#10. Open the File With a Different App

You must launch File Explorer and move to the file as you wish to open it and right-tap on the file and choose Open with that is shown on the context menu, choose the one app among the recommended apps to launch the particular file, and check whether the program is working or not, Launch the web browser and try to open the PDF file with the help of Adobe Reader.

#11. Run the Windows File and Folder Troubleshooter

Microsoft’s default troubleshooter will automatically detect and repair the files and folders with the issues. Move to the official site of Microsoft and then download and run the troubleshooter.

#12. Use PowerShell

• Open the Powershell on Windows and Run as Administrator.

• Then enter the following path i.e

Get-AppXPackage -AllUsers |Where-Object {$_.InstallLocation -like "*SystemApps*"} | Foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

• Wait for a few seconds.
• Finally, restart the computer.

#13. Download the Right App For The File

Windows automatically diagnose the file’s extension; while opening the file, the user must handle it; the file extension is represented as the last dot on the file name, having three or four characters that tell the kind of format the user uses.

Verify the file extension and find out the program that launches the particular file format, and then download and install the app on the device and access the problematic file. To maintain security, the user must not use third-party websites to download the apps.

#14. Re-register UWP Apps

Sometimes, the apps crash and not starting or working correctly. The user must re-register the Microsoft Store apps to fix the issue in that situation. Using Windows PowerShell, you must re-register the Microsoft Store apps. Finally, restart the device to apply the changes.

#15. Scan PC With Antivirus Software

Due to the presence of viruses and malware, you may face issues. To avoid the virus and malware infection, the user must scan the device and run the antivirus software or Microsoft Safety Scanner. It perfectly scans the system and deletes the malware; if the user runs a third-party antivirus or antimalware software, you must do the full system scan.

#16. Do a System Restore

Based on the user’s point of view, the effective way to fix the issue is to restore the system and follow the simple steps below.

• On the Windows search bar, type System Restore and click on the result.

• Then select the Create a restore point that is shown on the results.

• Now launch the System Properties window and tap on the System Restore option.

• On the system restore window, tap on Next to continue.
• Verify the Show More restore points option. It is available, select the restore point as you wish and return to and tap on the Next option.
• Follow the instructions on the screen to finish the restoration process.
• After that, check whether the issue is solved or not.

#17. Using Microsoft Hotfix

One effective method is switching to Microsoft Hotfix to repair the Windows file and folder; it scans the registry and group policy settings perfectly.

• Move to the official site of Microsoft.

• Then download and run the Hotfix.
• After that, restart the device, access the file, and check whether the issue is solved.

Frequently Asked Questions?