Windows program association

Pick a program from the pop-up list, or choose Look for an app in the Microsoft Store. Select OK to save. From now on, Windows will now open that program when you open a file with that extension from File Explorer.

Like Windows 11, Windows 10 uses Settings instead of Control Panel to make changes to file type associations. Select Apps from the list. Choose Default apps on the left. Scroll down a little and select Choose default apps by file type.

Locate the file extension for which you want to change the default program. In the Choose default apps by file type window, select the program to the right of the file extension. If there isn't one listed, select Choose a default instead. In the Choose an app pop-up window, pick a new program to associate with that file extension.

If there isn't one listed that you want to use, try Look for an app in the Store. Windows 10 will now open the program you chose each time you open a file with that extension from File Explorer.

When you're done, you can close any windows you opened to make these changes. Open Control Panel. Use the Start menu in Windows 7 or Windows Vista. Select Programs. Otherwise, choose Default Programs instead, followed by Associate a file type or protocol with a program link. Skip to Step 4. Choose Default Programs. Select Associate a file type or protocol with a program on the following page.

Once the Set Associations tool loads, which should only take a second or two, scroll down the list until you see the file extension that you want to change the default program for. If you're not sure what extension the file in question has, right-click it or tap-and-hold the file, go to Properties , and look for the file extension in the "Type of file" line of the General tab. Select a link below for information on how to change the programs used to open files in Microsoft Windows.

If the program you choose is not compatible with the file type, you see garbage or get an error when opening the file. If this happens, try changing the file to open with a different program.

Apps can handle not only files but also various network protocols like HTTP your default browser , BitTorrent or protocol handlers like tg: a Telegram link , xmmp: Jabber links or skype: for the popular VoIP app.

Here is how to set Default App Associations in Windows See how to find Windows 10 version you have installed. On the right side of the Defaults apps page, click on the app category for example, Web browser or Music and choose an app to be used by default.

There is an option to look for an app in the Store. See the screenshot below. To set default apps by file type , scroll down to the link "Choose default apps by file type" and click it. Tip: Using File Explorer , you can assign a new default app for the selected file type even faster. Right-click the file and select "Open with In the app list, select a new app for this file type and tick the check box "Always use this app to open files".

If you cannot find the required app, click on the link More apps. This will show more apps to select from. If you still can't see the required app, click the link "Look for another app on this PC". This will open File Explorer where you can browse for an app to open the file with. If you prefer the classic Control Panel applet, it is not removed as of this writing and can be used to configure your default apps. Updated February 26, NOTE: To permanently change the file association, make sure to select the option "Always use this app to open.

If you do not check this box, the file will open once in the selected program, but the file association will not be changed universally. Need a file viewer? Open common file formats with a file viewer for your platform. Windows Mac Android.