This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action [SOLVED]

Messing with Windows is not recommended, be it with Registry, Windows files, App data folder etc. as it can lead to serious issues within the Windows. And one of such issues which you face when you try to run games or any 3rd party application or even Windows settings is the following error message:

This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Please install a program or, if one is already installed, create an association in the Default Programs control panel.

This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action

Most of the affected users cannot right-click on desktop, open display settings or personalize, can’t open cmd or double click, can’t use Folder option, etc. So now you see how serious this issue is, you won’t be able to perform day to day task smoothly if you are facing the above error. Anyway, without wasting any time, let’s see how to actually fix this issue with the below-listed troubleshooting guide.

This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action [SOLVED]

Make sure to create a restore point just in case something goes wrong.

Method 1: Registry Fix

1. Press Windows Key + R then type regedit and hit Enter.

Run command regedit | This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action [SOLVED]

2. Navigate to the following registry key:

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\lnkfile

3. Right-click on lnkfile and select New > String Value.

Go to lnkfile in HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and right-click then select New then String Value

4. Name this string as IsShortcut and press Enter.

Name this new string as IsShortcut | This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action [SOLVED]

5. Now navigate to the following registry value:

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

6. Make sure you have highlighted command key and the right window pane double click on (Default).

Make sure you have highlighted command key and in the right window pane double click on (Default)

7. Type the following in the Value data field and click OK:

%SystemRoot%\system32\CompMgmtLauncher.exe

8. Close Regedit and reboot your PC to save changes.

Method 2: Run the Troubleshooter

If the above method didn’t fix the issue, it’s best to run this troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instruction to fix This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action.

Run Start Menu Troubleshooter | This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action [SOLVED]

Method 3: Add Your User Account Into Administrator Group

1. Press Windows Key + R then type lusrmgr.msc and hit Enter.

2. Click on Group and then double-click on Administrators to open the Properties window.

Double click on Administrators under Groups in lusrmgr

3. Now, click on Add in the bottom of the Administrators Properties window.

Click on Add in the bottom of the Administrators Properties window | This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action [SOLVED]

4. In the Enter the object names field type your username and click Check Names. If it’s able to verify your username, then click OK. If you don’t know your username, then click on Advanced.

Enter the object names field type your username and click Check Names

5. In the next window, click Find Now on the right-hand side.

Click Find Now on the right-hand side and select the username then click OK

6. Select your username and click OK to add it to the Enter the object name field.

7. Again click OK and click Apply followed by OK.

8. Reboot your PC to save changes.

Method 4: Create a New User Account

1. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings and then click Accounts.

Press Windows Key + I to open Settings then click on Accounts

2. Click on Family & other people tab in the left-hand menu and click Add someone else to this PC under Other people.

Click on Family & other people tab and and click Add someone else to this PC

3. Click, I don’t have this person’s sign-in information in the bottom.

Click, I don’t have this person’s sign-in information in the bottom | This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action [SOLVED]

4. Select Add a user without a Microsoft account in the bottom.

Select Add a user without a Microsoft account in the bottom

5. Now type the username and password for the new account and click Next.

Type the username and password for the new account and click Next

Method 5: Use System Restore

1. Press Windows Key + R and typesysdm.cpl then hit enter.

system properties sysdm | This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action [SOLVED]

2. Select the System Protection tab and choose System Restore.

system restore in system properties

3. Click Next and choose the desired System Restore point.

system-restore | This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action [SOLVED]

4. Follow the on-screen instruction to complete system restore.

5. After reboot, you may be able to Fix This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action.

Method 6: Run CCleaner and Malwarebytes

1. Download and install CCleaner & Malwarebytes.

2. Run Malwarebytes and let it scan your system for harmful files. If malware is found, it will automatically remove them.

Click on Scan Now once you run the Malwarebytes Anti-Malware

3. Now run CCleaner and select Custom Clean.

4. Under Custom Clean, select the Windows tab and checkmark defaults and click Analyze.

Select Custom Clean then checkmark default in Windows tab

5. Once Analyze is complete, make sure you’re certain to remove the files to be deleted.

Click on Run Cleaner to deleted files | This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action [SOLVED]

6. Finally, click on the Run Cleaner button and let CCleaner run its course.

7. To further clean your system, select the Registry tab, and ensure the following are checked:

Select Registry tab then click on Scan for Issues

8. Click on the Scan for Issues button and allow CCleaner to scan, then click on the Fix Selected Issues button.

Once scan for issues is completed click on Fix selected Issues | This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action [SOLVED]

9. When CCleaner asks “Do you want backup changes to the registry? select Yes.

10. Once your backup has completed, click on the Fix All Selected Issues button.

11. Restart your PC to save changes.

Method 7: Run DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) Tool

1. Open Command Prompt using the above method.

2. Enter the following command in cmd and hit enter:

DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

cmd restore health system

2. Press enter to run the above command and wait for the process to complete; usually, it takes 15-20 minutes.

NOTE: If the above command doesn't work then try on the below: 
Dism /Image:C:\offline /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:c:\test\mount\windows
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth /Source:c:\test\mount\windows /LimitAccess

Note: Replace the C:\RepairSource\Windows with your repair source (Windows Installation or Recovery Disc).

3. After the DISM process is complete, type the following in the cmd and hit Enter: sfc /scannow

4. Let System File Checker run and once it’s complete, restart your PC.

Recommended:

That’s it you have successfully Fix This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action but if you still have any questions regarding this guide then feel free to ask them in the comment’s section.

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