
MS Paint is a handy tool for simple image editing tasks, but it may not be the preferred choice for users who require more advanced features. Many people encounter issues when trying to change the default setting that opens all image files with MS Paint. This paragraph aims to provide an introduction to the topic of changing the default program for opening files, specifically addressing the common issue of files automatically opening in Paint when another image editor is desired.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Issue | MS Paint set itself as the default app to open all photos |
| Cause | N/A |
| Solution | Change default image editor in Windows settings or registry |
| Steps | - Go to Settings -> Apps -> Default Apps and select the desired default app for images - Get the correct path and file name of the new image editor by right-clicking the desktop shortcut, selecting "Properties", and copying the "Target" field - Replace "%systemroot%\system32\mspaint.exe" in the "Value Data" field with the new path and filename - Click "OK" to save |
| Additional Notes | - Changing the default image editor in the Windows registry can cause issues if done incorrectly - Some users report issues with changing the default photo viewer to Paint 3D in Windows 10 - To open a JPEG file in MS Paint, go to "Open", change the file options to "All Files", and find the JPEG file |
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What You'll Learn

Change default image editor in Windows 8 using the Registry
To change the default image editor in Windows 8 using the Registry, follow these steps:
First, create a system restore point. This will help you revert your system to a previous state if anything goes wrong during the process. Once you've created the restore point, open the Registry Editor by pressing the Windows Key + R on your keyboard. This will open the Run dialog box. Type "Regedt32.exe" into the box and press OK.
Now, navigate to the following key in the Registry Editor: "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.jpg\shell\edit\command". In the right pane, double-click on the "Default" string. You will see the command to Microsoft Paint, which should look like this: "%systemroot%\system32\mspaint.exe" "%1".
To change the default image editor, you need to modify the "Value Data" field. Replace the existing command with the full path and filename of your preferred image editor's executable file. For example, if you want to set Adobe Photoshop as the default, the "Value Data" field should look like this: "c:\program files\adobe\photoshopCS6\photoshopCS6exe" "%1". Make sure to include the quotation marks as they are shown.
Once you have made the changes, click "OK" to save the new setting and close the Registry Editor. Your changes should take effect immediately, and your desired image editor will now open when you select the "Edit" option for image files.
It is important to note that making incorrect changes in the Windows Registry can cause serious problems, including Windows becoming non-functional. Always exercise caution when modifying the registry, and ensure that you have the correct path and filename for your desired image editor before proceeding.
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Change default image editor in Windows 10 via Settings
You can change the default image editor in Windows 10 by editing the registry. Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Right-click on the desktop shortcut of your preferred image editor and select "Properties".
- Copy the contents of the Target field. This is the executable file path for your chosen image editor.
- Open the Registry Editor. Be careful when making changes in the registry, as incorrect changes can cause issues with your computer.
- Navigate to the following key: "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\SystemFileAssociations\.jpg\shell\edit\command".
- Double-click on the (Default) entry in the right pane.
- Replace the existing value data with the executable file path you copied earlier, followed by a space, and then "%1". For example, if you are changing the default to Paint.NET, the value data should look like this: "C:\Program Files\Paint.NET\PaintDotNet.exe" "%1".
- Click "OK" to save the changes and close the Registry Editor.
By following these steps, you can change the default image editor in Windows 10 from Paint to your preferred image editing software.
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Open JPEGs in MS Paint by changing file options to All Files
If you're having trouble opening JPEGs in MS Paint, there are a few things you can try. Firstly, make sure that Paint is set as the default program for opening JPEG files on your computer. You can do this by right-clicking on a JPEG file, selecting "Open with," and then choosing "MS Paint." You may also need to check the "Always use this program to open these files" box.
If you're still having issues, try opening MS Paint and then going to the "Open" menu. From there, change the file options to "All Files" and navigate to your JPEG file. This should allow you to open the JPEG in Paint.
Another approach is to change the default image editor in your system settings. On Windows 8, for example, you can do this by going to the Registry and replacing the "%systemroot%\system32\mspaint.exe" value with the path and filename of your preferred image editor. Make sure you have the correct path and filename before making any changes, as incorrect edits to the registry can cause issues with your computer.
Additionally, some users have reported that installing Microsoft Office with Microsoft Photo Editor enabled them to open and save JPEG files in MS Paint. This could be an option if you need to work with JPEGs in Paint and haven't been able to succeed with the methods mentioned above.
Keep in mind that while MS Paint is convenient for simple tasks, it lacks advanced editing capabilities. If you require more robust editing tools, consider using alternative software designed for image editing, such as Photoshop Pro or GIMP.
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Open a JPEG in Paint by pressing CTRL + Print Screen
To open a JPEG in Paint, you can press "CTRL + Print Screen" on your keyboard to take a screenshot of the image, which you can then open in Paint.
Here's a step-by-step guide:
- Locate the "Print Screen" key on your keyboard. It is usually found in the upper-right area, to the right of the function (F1-F12) keys. On some keyboards, it may be abbreviated as "Prt Sc," "prnt scrn," or something similar.
- Press "CTRL" and "Print Screen" simultaneously to take a screenshot of your entire screen. If you only want to capture a specific window, press "Alt" + "Prt Sc" instead.
- Open the Paint program. You can find it in the Windows Start menu within the "Windows Accessories" folder, or by searching for "Paint" in the Windows search bar.
- In Paint, click on "Edit" in the menu bar, and then select "Paste," or simply use the keyboard shortcut "CTRL + V" to paste your screenshot into Paint.
- You can now edit the screenshot in Paint as needed.
Note that this method will capture a screenshot of your entire screen or a specific window, which you can then open in Paint. If you want to open a JPEG file directly in Paint, you can do so by opening Paint, going to "File," then "Open," and selecting "All Files" to locate your JPEG file.
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Change Windows Explorer settings under View\Options\File Types
To change Windows Explorer settings under View\Options\File Types, follow these steps:
- Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E.
- Click the "View" tab at the top of the window. If you don't see the View menu, press Alt to make it visible.
- In the Layout section, select your preferred view option: Extra large icons, Large icons, Medium Icons, Small icons, List, Details, Tiles, or Content. If you're unsure, it's recommended to select "Details", which displays details of all files in an easy-to-read format, showing the size, type, and date modified in columns.
- To apply your chosen view to all subfolders, click the "Apply to Folders" button in the Folder Options window.
- Click "OK" to apply the changes and close the window.
These steps will allow you to customise the display settings for your files in Windows Explorer, improving your file management experience.
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Frequently asked questions
If you are using Windows, right-click on the file and select "Open With", then choose the program you want to open the file with. You can also change the default program for all files of that type by going to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and selecting your preferred app.
Right-click on the desktop shortcut for your preferred image editor, select "Properties", and copy the entire contents of the "Target" field. Then, go to the "Value Data" field and replace "%systemroot%\system32\mspaint.exe" with the file path you copied.
Open MS Paint, go to "Open", change the file options to "All Files", and find your JPEG file. You can also try installing Microsoft Office, which includes a program called Microsoft Photo Editor that can open and save JPEG files.
Paint is handy for simple tasks like rotating pictures, but it lacks advanced editing capabilities. Other programs, like Photoshop Pro, offer more features for editing images.
A DAT file is a generic data file created by an application. It is not specific to a particular program or platform.











































