Description of "Don't Associate File Types" Internet Explorer Setup Option

This article describes the Don't associate file types advanced Setup option in Internet Explorer Setup.

NOTE: This option is not available when you are installing Internet Explorer 5.5 or later in Microsoft Windows 2000.

The Don't associate file types option is available when you click Advanced in the Components Options dialog box during Internet Explorer Setup. If you use this option, Internet Explorer Setup does not associate file types (such as .htm, .html, or .mpeg files) with Internet Explorer or Microsoft Windows Media Player for any file types that are already associated with another program. This option may be useful if you are using another program as your default Internet browser or player for multimedia files and you do not want to use Internet Explorer as the default program for these file types.

For example, if .htm files are associated with Netscape Navigator, selecting the Don't associate file types option during Internet Explorer Setup prevents Internet Explorer from replacing Netscape Navigator as your default program for viewing .htm files. If the .htm file type is not associated with another program, Setup associates it with Internet Explorer even if you select the Don't associate file types option.