How to tell if a specific file extension has a default program to open it? e.g. PDF, in Windows 7

Question

I want to know if there is a specific entry to check in the registry to see if there is a default program associated with a specific file type?

My main example would be a PDF. Documentation in my company is mainly PDF. We want to be able to distribute the latest Adobe Reader because, generally, a lot of the PCs using my company's software will not have access to the internet.

During installation, I want to be able to check if the computer we are installing on already has a program to view PDF files. If yes, carry on. if not, then run the Adobe distribution as part of the install.

I'm focused on Windows 7 PCs, registry entry(ies) I can read programatically to see if, as an example, PDF has a valid program to open it.

Answer 1

No this option not exists. Although HKCR\\'PROGID'\\shell\\open may points to the installed software.

User MC ND have wrong answer. See my screenshot:

During installation, I want to be able to check if the computer we are installing on already has a program to view PDF files. If yes, carry on. if not, then run the Adobe distribution as part of the install.

So I have pdf reader (!!!) with no associations. MC ND you are still thinks, I have no pdf reader?

Answer 2

From console

assoc .pdf to get the "fileType" associated to the extension. Once you have the fileType (ex. AcroExch.Document.11 ):

ftype AcroExch.Document.11 to get the associated program.