Managing file associations in a domain enviroment

[Geoff]

I don't know if others have the same problem but I'm collecting a growing collection of reg files, vbs scripts and bat files to set file associations for various programs depending on whats installed on the machine.

I have to do this because I can't presume that applications get installed on PC's in the same order. Therefore it's inconsistent what a file is associated with on a given machine. Usual culprits are image, movie and sound files.

So does anyone have a more elegant solution other than a load of hacked up startup/login scripts?

[meastaugh1]

Are file associations changed by managed installations, or users? If the former, could you not remove conflicting file assoications from applications you don't want to associate?

[Geoff]

Well, it depends.

For example. The machines in this IT suite were done from a Ghost Image. Due to the order things were installed creating said image JPG files are associated with a program called Dazzle.

Then down the corridor we have a machine that doesn't have Dazzle on it, so it opens JPGs with Paint. The machine sat next to it has Macromedia Stuido MX on it so JPGs open in Fireworks(?) I think.

However over in the classroom next door, the machine has a scanner. JPG's are associated with the scanner softwares image manager (HP Smartphoto or something).

So all that's just from base install images! If you start adding deployments into the mix it gets even more insane. For example, I deploy GIMP and Paint.NET via GPO. It seems to be entirely down to pot luck which gets the file associations.

I'd just like a nice elegant way of enforcing some consistency. Is that too much to ask?

[meastaugh1]

Ahh, I see your problem. We start from XP, then add packages, which is why the aforementioned method works (generally) here.

[ChrisH]

You could probably use one script using the dos "ftype" command. Its a bit of work to start with but at least everything will be in one place.

[mac_shinobi]

You mean something like this :

http://www.brianmadden.com/content/content.asp?ID=168

Also they do talk about making an adm template instead of using registry files etc

[Geoff]

ftype seems the way to go. Thanks.

[eejit]

For example, I deploy GIMP and Paint.NET via GPO.

Whoa - you deploy gimp to the pupils? 8O
Kudos to you.

[Geoff]

GIMP, OO.org, Scribus, Firefox, etc, etc..

[Ric_]

@Geoff: You missed out Dia and TuxType

[Geoff]

Yeah, I got bored of typing all the names out.

[eejit]

Never heard of Scribus - you'd recommend it I presume.

[Geoff]

Yes, vast improvement on Publisher.

http://www.scribus.net/