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Guide to Using Open with++ - Sneakyone - 09-10-2024
Guide to Using Open with++
**Open with++** (OpenWith++) is a powerful Windows tool that extends the "Open with" functionality in the right-click context menu, allowing you to customize which applications open specific file types. This utility is highly useful for developers, power users, and anyone who works with multiple programs for the same file types. This guide will walk you through downloading, installing, and using Open with++ to manage your file-opening options.
Step 1: Download Open with++
To begin, you need to download Open with++ from a trusted source or the official repository.
Steps to Download Open with++:
1. Open your web browser and visit the official Open with++ repository: GitHub Repository for OpenWith++.
2. Scroll down to the `Releases` section and download the latest version.
3. Once the download is complete, navigate to your `Downloads` folder and locate the zip or installer file.
Step 2: Install or Extract Open with++
Open with++ is a portable tool that does not require installation. You simply need to extract the downloaded files.
Steps to Extract Open with++:
1. Right-click on the downloaded zip file and select `Extract All...`.
2. Choose a destination folder to extract the files and click `Extract`.
3. Open the extracted folder to access the **Open with++** executable file.
Step 3: Launch Open with++
Once extracted, you can launch the application to start configuring your custom "Open with" menu.
Steps to Launch Open with++:
1. In the extracted folder, double-click `OpenWith++.exe` to launch the application.
2. The main window of **Open with++** will appear, displaying options to configure your custom file associations.
Step 4: Add Applications to the "Open with" Context Menu
Open with++ allows you to add custom applications to the "Open with" context menu for specific file types.
Steps to Add Applications to the Context Menu:
1. In the main Open with++ window, click the `Add` button.
2. A new window will open, allowing you to browse for the application you want to add.
3. Navigate to the executable file (.exe) of the application you want to use and select it.
4. Specify the file types (extensions) you want this application to be associated with (e.g., `.txt`, `.jpg`, `.mp4`).
5. Click `OK` to add the application to the context menu.
The application will now appear in the "Open with" menu when you right-click on the specified file types.
Step 5: Customize Application Options
You can further customize how the applications behave when opened through the "Open with" menu.
Steps to Customize Application Options:
1. After adding an application, click on it in the list of configured applications.
2. You can add command-line arguments or special parameters for each application by typing them into the `Arguments` field.
3. You can also specify whether the application should always open maximized, minimized, or in its default window size.
4. Click `Apply` to save your changes.
Step 6: Organize Applications by Categories
Open with++ allows you to organize applications into categories for better management in the "Open with" menu.
Steps to Organize Applications by Categories:
1. In the main Open with++ window, click the `Categories` tab.
2. Here, you can create new categories (e.g., "Image Editors," "Text Editors," "Media Players").
3. Once you've created categories, go back to the `Applications` tab.
4. Drag and drop applications into the appropriate categories for better organization.
5. Click `Apply` to save the changes.
Step 7: Remove Applications from the "Open with" Menu
If you no longer need a specific application in the "Open with" menu, you can remove it easily.
Steps to Remove Applications from the Context Menu:
1. In the main Open with++ window, select the application you want to remove.
2. Click the `Remove` button.
3. Confirm the removal by clicking `Yes`.
4. The application will be removed from the "Open with" menu.
Step 8: Restore Default "Open with" Settings
If you want to reset the "Open with" menu back to its default state, Open with++ allows you to restore the original configuration.
Steps to Restore Default Settings:
1. In the main Open with++ window, click `Reset` to restore all settings to default.
2. Confirm the action, and the default Windows "Open with" settings will be restored, removing all custom applications.
Step 9: Exit Open with++
Once you have configured the "Open with" context menu to your liking, you can exit the application.
Steps to Exit Open with++:
1. Click the `X` button in the top-right corner of the Open with++ window to close the program.
2. All customizations you made will remain active even after exiting the application.
Conclusion
Open with++ is a powerful tool for enhancing and customizing the "Open with" context menu in Windows. By following this guide, you can easily add, remove, and manage applications, organize them into categories, and configure specific options to improve your workflow. Whether you're a developer, a designer, or a power user, Open with++ helps streamline the process of opening files with your preferred applications.