How can I set default applications for opening certain file types?

Sure you can do it. Do a "Get Info" on the file type you want to open with a specific application, go to the Section titled "Open With" and select an application. Then click "Change All..."

 

How did I miss that????

Since updating Parallels to the latest version, it took over all my .doc files and instead of opening with Word (as usual) it would boot Parallels so that Wordpad (or something like that from Windows) would open them instead.

Problem fixed, thanks.

 

hmm thanks! i dont know how i missed that either. :|

 

Ya, this is one of the things I miss from windows: the ability to more easily set the program that opened each file type from a more central Control Panel type area. Oh well. This works.