Article ID: 929149
Article Last Modified on 3/17/2007
APPLIES TO
- Windows Vista Business
- Windows Vista Enterprise
- Windows Vista Home Basic
- Windows Vista Home Premium
- Windows Vista Ultimate
- Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit edition
- Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit edition
- Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit edition
- Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit edition
- Windows Vista Starter
- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional
INTRODUCTION
With Windows XP we took steps to make it easier for customers to find software applications that can operate on specific file types. To do this Windows XP added a web service which presents applications which can operate on a given file type. An Example of what this may look like for a .DOC file is here:
With the release of Windows Vista, we have improved the existing service to ensure the best possible customer experience.
Microsoft has re-designed the system to provide the user with a broader selection and allow them to choose an application more efficiently. One of the methods will be to have direct links to the download or purchase offering as often as possible.
More details on what is required to add an application to the File Association service are below.
MORE INFORMATION
Step by Step
- Fill in the Windows File Association Form for your application.
- To register your application(s), simply email the information from the form below to winfar@microsoft.com.
- You will receive an email response regarding the acceptance of your application to the system within 2 business days.
Windows File Association Form Description and Example
Field name | Description |
Contact Name | Name of contact |
Company Name | Name of company |
Street Address | Street Address for contact |
City | City for contact |
State | State or Province for contact [N/A if placed in Korea] |
Postal Code | Postal Code for contact |
Country/Region | Country for contact |
Phone Number | Phone Number for contact |
Email for contact | |
Locale for display | Locale name based on Windows Locale Name Constants (See http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/intl/nls_238z.asp for more information) |
Application Name | Name of application to be installed |
Brief Description | A Description of the application to be installed |
File Type Name: | Name of the type of file that is requesting the application |
File Extension | File extension of the application |
Download Type | Full application, Viewer Application, Trial Application or Beta Application |
Destination URL | The download or purchase location for the application |
Destination URL Type | Free Download, Buy Online – Download or Buy Online – Shipped Goods |
Please Note
- All fields must be < 255 characters in length.
- Each entry should be for a specific locale.
Example
Contact Name | Joe Contact |
Company Name | Microsoft |
Street Address | 1 Microsoft Way |
City | Redmond |
State | WA |
Postal Code | 8052-6399 |
Country/Region | USA |
Phone Number | 425-882-8080 |
joe.contact@microsoft.com | |
Locale for display | en-us |
Application Name | Music Library |
Brief Description | Application that organizes a user’s music collection |
File Type Name: | Music Library Audio Format |
File Extension | .mus |
Download Type | Viewer Application |
Destination URL | http://www.microsoft.com/search/redir.aspx?AssetID=DC011320141033&Origin=HH101544381033&CTT=5 |
Destination URL Type | Free Download |
File Association Form
Contact Name: Company Name: Street Address: City: State: Postal: Country/Region: Phone Number: Email: Locale for display: Application Name: Brief Description: File Type Name: File Extension: Download Type: Destination URL: Destination URL Type: Locale for display: Application Name: Brief Description: File Type Name: File Extension: Download Type: Destination URL: Destination URL Type: Locale for display: Application Name: Brief Description: File Type Name: File Extension: Download Type: Destination URL: Destination URL Type: Locale for display: Application Name: Brief Description: File Type Name: File Extension: Download Type: Destination URL: Destination URL Type:
Again, for additional details and to register your application(s), simply email the information on the above form to winfar@microsoft.com.
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