I changed the "open with" source for a java .class file in windows explorer & ALL folders changed. How do I revert back to the default "open" option?

Question

In windows explorer, in my java project folder, I right clicked on one of my .class files and clicked/changed the "open with" source to notepad. I did not check the "always open with" box, but ALL .class files in every one of my folders changed to the notepad "icon". I can't even remember what the old icon looked like, but that is where I'm trying to get back to. I was able to change the "open with" icon over to some form of java.exe format (see attachment), but how do I get it to revert back to that default "icon"? view of .class file "icons" in my folder

Answer 1

Start regedit and delete the following two keys. And reboot your OS.

• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\.class
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.class

1. Explorer initial state

2. Set to open with notepad

3. regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\.class

4. remove key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\.class

5. regedit HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.class

6. remove key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.class

7. Explorer (sitill unchanged)

8. Explorer (after restart windows)