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How to Change Default Apps on Windows

If a PDF or an image keeps opening in a program you never asked for, the fix isn't re-choosing an app every single time β€” it's changing the one setting that decides which program opens that file type by default.

  1. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps

    Open the Settings app, go to "Apps," and click "Default apps."

  2. Search by file type or link type

    Type a file extension (like .pdf) or an app name into the search box to find what you're looking for.

  3. Select the extension you want to change

    Click the file type in the search results whose default app you want to set.

  4. Choose the app to use as default

    Click "Set default" next to the currently assigned app, or click the app icon, and choose the program you want instead.

  5. Why this is worth doing

    If a PDF keeps launching in a program you didn't choose, changing the default app means every PDF opens in your preferred program from then on, automatically.

One setting, fixed for good

Manually choosing "Open with" every single time you open a file is a small annoyance that adds up fast. Setting the default app once means every future file of that type opens in the right program without you needing to think about it again.

When installing new software changes things without asking

Some installers quietly set themselves as the default app for certain file types, or prompt you to confirm it during setup. If a program suddenly starts opening in something new after an install, the default apps settings are exactly where to undo it.

Frequently Asked Questions

I just want to open one specific file with a different app, not change the default.

Right-click that one file and choose "Open with" to pick a program for that single file, without touching the default app setting for the file type overall.

Does installing a new program automatically change my default apps?

Some programs ask you to confirm during installation, and a few change it automatically without asking. If a default changed without your intent, you can always switch it back from the default apps settings.