Open .TSV with IE8

You just need to create the desired file type association:

1. Click Start > Default Programs
2. Select "Associate a file type or protocol with a program"
3. Scroll to the .tsv extension and click "Change program..."
4. Browse to the IE8 executable and select (default: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe)

Note that you can still right-click any individual TSV file and select "Open with..." to open with another program (e.g., Excel) on an as-needed basis.

rjef--Here are the programs that open .tsv files
http://www.fileinfo.com/extension/tsv

mark_harris231's procedure is correct, but I am not sure IE will open .tsv.  If not use one of the other programs listed.

Mark,
   After making the association as IE and try to open the file it just keeps asking 'open' 'close' 'save' if i click open it just asks again.
JD,
  Sorry it has to be IE

rjef--Internet Explorer is not one of the programs to use to open .tsv files per my link
http://www.fileinfo.com/extension/tsv
Try Notepad.

.TSV needs a registry value added in order to make it compatible in this way.

WARNING: Do NOT attempt if you are not familiar and comfortable with working in the registry.  Registry corruption can render your system inoperable.  Be sure to make a backup of your registry before making any changes.

1. Start > regedit - to launch the Registry Editor, then immediately make a backup of the registry via File > Export.  Save this file to a thumb drive.
2. Navigate to Computer\HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.tsv
3. In the right-pane, you should see two existing String Values: (Default) and PerceivedType
4. Right-click in the right-pane and select New > String Value
5. Supply a Value name of "Content Type"  (no quotes)
6. Supply a Value data of "text/plain" (no quotes)
7. Test by right-clicking a TSV file and selecting Open with... Internet Explorer (or just double-click if you still have the file association to IE).

Mark,
    I worked thanks

my pleasure

mark
Actually i have more questions about this.  It doesn't prompt for open save cancel anymore when i open the .tsv file.  is there a way to make it still pop up that prompt?  And i have another question about it but it can wait until/if you can get the prompt back on.

Reset Open/Save/CancelWhat OS are you running?  Do you have the following registry key?

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\
         AttachmentExecute\{0002DF01-0000-0000-C000-000000000046}

If you do, is there a key in the right-hand pane for the TSV file type?  The following article suggests that you simply need to delete it.

http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/reset-opensave-choice-for-internet-explorer-downloads-in-vista/

As previously indicated, make sure you back up your registry before making any changes.

i do not have that key

What operating system are you using?  (I'm on win7 pro 64-bit)

I suspect this may end up being dependent on the OS.  I haven't found where to change this on my own system as yet, but I'm still digging.

I'm on win7 pro 64-bit also

rjef - I've searched for a solution that both allows the TSV to open in IE8/9, but also prompts for open or save, but have turned up empty.  There are various permutations of this same question in a number of forums (including Microsoft Support), but no satisfactory solution to be found.

Apologies that a more satisfactory answer isn't available.