want files with no file extension to be opened with notepad++ by default (looking for easy windows 7 solution)

rgb192--Do you know what file type(s) these files are?  If they cannot be opened by notepad++ with extensions they will not be opened without.

If they are suitable file types you can set the default for opening them in Control Panel|Default Programs|Set your default programs

Files contain text or html.  Can be opened by notepad++ but i have to right now click.  Want it to be by default.  I dont understand your control pannel suggestion

rgb192--I do not know what it is that you not understand about navigating to
Control Panel|Default Programs|click on "Set your default programs" .
You would choose Notepad++ from the left hand panel and then "Set this program as Default" from bottom green arrow.  See screen shot.  (Notepad++ does not appear in my left panel since I do not have it installed.)

If Notepad++ does not appear in the left panel per the above go to Control Panel|Default Programs|click on "Associate a file type or a protocol with a program".  Go to .html and .txt (separately) in the list and use "Change Program" to associate with Notepad++.

The old fashioned way would be to right click on any .html file , then Open With and then "Choose default program" and then Notepad++ from the options (opening Browse if necessary) and then click the box "Always use the selected program to open this type of file".
Repeat for any .txt file.  Once done all .html and .txt files should open in Notepad++ with a single left click.
Set-Default-Programs.jpg

Control Panel|Default Programs|click on "Set your default programs" .
notepad
or
notepad++
is not  on the listed programs

The old fashioned way would be to right click on any .html file , then Open With and then "Choose default program" and then Notepad++ from the options (opening Browse if necessary) and then click the box "Always use the selected program to open this type of file".
Repeat for any .txt file.  Once done all .html and .txt files should open in Notepad++ with a single left click.

I have used this in the past
but these files have no file extension so there is no right click option

I use x64 so modify if using x86
save as noextension.reg, right click and merge

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.\shell\open]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.\shell\open\command]
@="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Notepad++\\Notepad++.exe %1"

Select allOpen in new window

rgb192--
As already suggested
"If Notepad++ does not appear in the left panel per the above go to Control Panel|Default Programs|click on "Associate a file type or a protocol with a program".  Go to .html and .txt (separately) in the list and use "Change Program" to associate with Notepad++.  "

And just out of curiosity, why don't these files have extensions?  Is this what you want?
If not have you checked the box in Windows Explorer|Organize| Folder and Search Options|View tab|"Hide extensions for know file types"?

"but these files have no file extension so there is no right click option "
Something wrong there.  Windows should know what file type these are even if no file extension shows.

>>And just out of curiosity, why don't these files have extensions?  Is this what you want?
If not have you checked the box in Windows Explorer|Organize| Folder and Search Options|View tab|"Hide extensions for know file types"?

all file extensions are shown

these are text files from a program that parses emails



i created a file with no file extension and right clicked,
but could not find 'merge'

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.\shell]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.\shell\open]

[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.\shell\open\command]
@="C:\\Program Files (x86)\\Notepad++\\Notepad++.exe %1"

Select allOpen in new window

I save the file you created as .reg and get 'merge' in right click menu

and now the default program to open files without extension is notepad++

thanks

I thought I was explicit enough

save as noextenon.reg, right click and merge

glad you worked it out.