Simple Solutions to Fix Microsoft PowerPoint File Associations Error

“My friend sent me some PowerPoint files over email. When I try to open those files on my laptop, I get an error that says “this PPTX file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action.” I do not know whether the problem lies in the application or the files. Can anyone tell me how to fix Microsoft PowerPoint file association problem?”

In the previous article, we have discussed effective techniques to repair corrupt powerpoint file. Today we discuss the issue occur due to PPTX files not associated with Powerpoint. Like the above user, many others also complain about file association issue of PowerPoint files. This error obstructs the file from opening and as a result, cause a lot of trouble for the users. Once this problem occurs, users can open the PPTX file only after resolving this issue. This write-up will tell you how to restore powerpoint file association error. Before that, we will learn what is file association.

What is PowerPoint File Association?

In a computer, various file formats exist. Most of these files require a supporting application to open and function. File Association is a technique used to determine which default application will open any particular file. For example, MS PowerPoint is the associated program of PPTX files. If the same files are opened in some other application like MS Word or PDF Reader, the file will either not open or open in incomprehensible format. Basically, it is the relation between the file and its default application program.

In both Window and Mac Operating System, file association plays an important role in the systematic opening of files. But according to the OS, the same file will be associated with different applications and will open using different programs. In cases when the same file type has multiple extensions, all of them should be associated with the same application.

Reasons For “File not Associated with PowerPoint” Error

In the Windows Operating System, all the computer’s file associations are enlisted in the registry. If the file association goes wrong and the program is not capable of opening the file wrongly associated with it, or .pptx files not associated with powerpoint. Thus, users remain unsuccessful in opening the file.

How to Fix Microsoft PowerPoint File Association Issue

The easiest solution to restore powerpoint file association is to conduct the correct file association. If the problem occurs while opening PPTX files, you need to make sure the default program for opening this file is MS PowerPoint. Now the question is, how to change file association on Windows.

There are two different ways to change file association. One is directly from the file location and another is from the Default App Settings.

Method 1: Use Open With Option

This method will help you to change the file association and help you to find the solution for .pptx files not associated with powerpoint. Go through the given steps to fix Microsoft PowerPoint file associations.

1. Go to the location of the file that is having file association error.
2. Select the file and right-click on it.
3. From the context menu, click on Open With… and a list of programs will appear before you. Click on Choose another app.

4. Now select the program from the list (MS PowerPoint in this case). If your required file is not here, search in the system or download.

5. After choosing the right application, check the option to always use this application to use this type of file. click on OK.

6. The file will open in MS PowerPoint without any trouble.

Hopefully this method work to restore powerpoint file association. Otherwise, switch to next method for attaining better result.

Method 2: Use Default Apps to Change the File Association

Try this method to fix Microsoft PowerPoint file association problem. This is method is frequently used by Windows users. Follow the steps while performing.

1. Put your cursor in the Search box of Windows 10 OS and type “Default Apps.” Click on the result and Default Apps section of Settings will open.
2. Scroll down and click on Choose default apps by file type.
3. A new page will open. Scroll down to PPTX and right-click on the application icon.
4. A list of applications will appear from which you need to choose PowerPoint.
5. Now, try to open presentation files and PowerPoint will open it

Hopefully above mentioned manual solutions will help you to restore powerpoint file association and make your work easy. These are the common tricks used to resolve this issue. If you think you are facing same issue then, surely this will work perfectly. Also, this blog will be helpful for those who don’t know about the file association.

Method 3: File Association blocked by registry

This method will help you to disable the pptx file association registry option within the MS PowerPoint presentation. Let’s discuss it’s steps:

1. Open the MS PowerPoint Presentation.
2. Click to File tab, and choose Options.

3. A new window will pop up, select Trust Center.

4. Here, click Trust Center Settings.

5. Now, Choose file block setting from left panel.

6. Tick legacy Converters for PowerPoint option to open.

7. At last click OK to change PPTX file association registry.

Conclusion

In this post, we have discussed ways to fix Microsoft PowerPoint file association error. Apart from PPTX files, this error can occur in case of any other file. Using the methods mentioned here, users will be able to solve file not associated with PowerPoint problem. If they want, readers can use these solutions for other files too.