Summary

Synopsis

Sometimes applications require proper file associations or extensions to be created on the machine in order to successfully open related files via the application. This article discusses how to accomplish this task via an Express setup.

Discussion

File associations or extensions can be created via the File Extensions view. In this view, you can specify file type, icon file, and arguments that you want to pass to the application.

To create a new association, follow these steps:

1. Select Configure the Target System > File Extensions.

2. Right-click the File Extensions node and select New Extension.

3. Rename this new extension to the name of the file extension (without the period), e.g., if your extension is of type .doc, then rename this extension name to doc.

4. Set the File Extension attributes appropriately, for example:
   • ProgID: Word.MyDocFile (can be any unique name that you want use to reference your application)

   • ProgID Description: This opens a doc file.

   • Feature: Always Install (name your application of the feature containing)

   • File: [INSTALLDIR]\Word.exe (browse that to your application the pick will open extension files)

   • Command: This is an optional field used to specify verbs like open, print, etc.

   • Argument: This is an optional field used to specify the command-line arguments used with your application to launch the extension file. For example, Word.exe -p test.doc cab referenced as "-p %1". The "%1" refers to your extension file.

   • IconFile: Browse to the file that stores the icon for the extension files.

   • Icon Index: This is filled automatically when you select an icon in the above icon file.

This information is used to create an entry in the Registry under HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\<CLASS.OBJECT>.