Is it possible to use `assoc` and/or `ftype` with wildcard characters?

Solution 1:

In Windows for Workgroups 3.11 programs were listed against extensions.

In Windows 95, which applies today, extensions are listed against an virtual filetype. Programs are listed against the filetype. This allows you to assign multiple extension to a filetype. You assign programs to the filetype.

This works whereas your suggestion would have unintended consequences. EG: Assigning do* to MS Word will be weird. If you click .dot you expect a new document based on that template. If you click .doc you expect it to open the file.

PS for compatibility reasons you can still list programs against extensions.

assoc  | Findstr /c:.doc

In response to the comment in other answer. Type reg /?. EG reg query HKCR /f .doc /c /s but it will be slow.