Where are the Windows registry keys for opening files with GIMP?

I recently had to uninstall and reinstall GIMP, and now cannot use the Windows “open with” dialog to edit files; I get no system response when I choose GIMP. I must delete all existing registry entries so it starts working again, but I don’t know where those keys are in the registry. I can use SendTo (GIMP) as a context menu option, but “open with” (GIMP) yields no result. If I can delete all keys associated with GIMP opening various filetypes, then maybe I can get it working again with new “open with” commands.

Oh, it’s friggin’ USELESS. It’s completely broken. I found the damned keys and deleted them, but when I select “choose application,” it doesn’t WORK. SendTo is the ONLY way I can open files with GIMP. What the bloody HELL is this crap?

No need for registry keys, you just set up file associations for the file types you want to open with Gimp.

Doesn’t work. The only way I could get Windows to open files using GIMP, besides using my SendTo shortcut, was to install GIMP Portable and use that in the context menu, ignoring the now no longer functioning associations. Setting file associations does not have the desired effect…and besides, I have a different application set as default, IrfanView, which I use for viewing, but prefer GIMP and Paint.NET for editing. IrfanView is a crappy editor, but is a good viewer and excellent batch rename/convert tool.

@William_Kuns Welcome to the forum.

I see the value of the context menu. However, there are alternative methods to open your files.

  • Open GIMP. Open files. For convenience you can bookmark your favourite image folders.
  • Save a GIMP shortcut to desktop. Mouse drag an image’s icon over the GIMP icon. Drop it to open.

PS While you may know what you are doing with the registry. Registry hell is a real thing: proceed with caution.

Could you try open with and then browse for the GIMP program itself (i.e. ignore the GIMP that’s in the action list and browse the location)? If that works, then next time do the same and, though it’s been a while, should give you an always open option. :slight_smile: