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How to Change What Program Opens a File Windows 11

Are you having trouble getting your files to open with the right program? You’ve come to the right place! In this article, we will be walking through the steps necessary to change the program that opens a file in Windows 11. Whether you need to open a PDF with Adobe Acrobat, a Word document with Microsoft Word, or any other file type, you’ll be able to do it quickly and easily with the help of this guide. So, let’s get started!

How to Change What Program Opens a File Windows 11

Source: ghacks.net

Steps to Change the Default Program for Opening Files in Windows 11

The default program for opening files in Windows 11 can be changed to a user’s preferred application. Here are the steps to do this.

Step 1: Right-click on the File

The first step is to right-click on the file that needs to be opened in the user’s preferred application. This will bring up a menu with a variety of options. From this menu, the user should select the “Open with” option.

Step 2: Select the Preferred Program

The next step is to select the preferred program from the list of programs displayed in the “Open with” menu. If the preferred program is not listed, the user can click “More apps” to see a larger list of available programs. The user should select the preferred program from this list.

Step 3: Confirm the Change

Once the user has selected the preferred program, a pop-up window will appear asking the user to confirm the change. The user should click the “OK” button to confirm the change and make the selected program the default program for opening files in Windows 11.

Changing the Default Program for Specific File Types

In addition to changing the default program for opening files in Windows 11, the user can also set the default program for specific file types. This means that the user can set different programs for different file types.

Step 1: Right-click on the File

The first step is to right-click on the file whose default program needs to be changed. This will bring up a menu with a variety of options. From this menu, the user should select the “Properties” option.

Step 2: Select the Preferred Program

The next step is to select the preferred program from the list of programs displayed in the “Properties” window. The user should select the preferred program from this list.

Step 3: Choose the File Type

The user should then select the file type from the drop-down menu. This will determine which file type the default program will be set for.

Step 4: Confirm the Change

Once the user has selected the preferred program and the file type, a pop-up window will appear asking the user to confirm the change. The user should click the “OK” button to confirm the change and make the selected program the default program for the selected file type in Windows 11.

Changing Default Program for All File Types

The user can also set the default program for all file types. This means that the same program will be used to open all file types, regardless of the file type.

Step 1: Go to the Settings Menu

The first step is to go to the Settings menu. This can be done by clicking on the Start button and then selecting the Settings option from the menu.

Step 2: Select the Default Apps Option

Once in the Settings menu, the user should select the “Default apps” option. This will open a window with a list of options.

Step 3: Choose the Preferred Program

The user should then select the preferred program from the list of programs displayed in the “Default Apps” window. The user should select the preferred program from this list.

Step 4: Confirm the Change

Once the user has selected the preferred program, a pop-up window will appear asking the user to confirm the change. The user should click the “OK” button to confirm the change and make the selected program the default program for all file types in Windows 11.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest way to change what program opens a file in Windows 11?

The easiest way to change what program opens a file in Windows 11 is to right click on the file and select ‘Properties’. From the ‘General’ tab, click the ‘Change’ button. This will open a window which displays all the installed programs that can open the file. Select the program you want to use from the list and click ‘OK’. The program is now set as the default program to open the file.

What happens if the program I want to use is not in the list?

If the program you want to use is not in the list, you can manually add the program. To do so, click the ‘Browse’ button and find the program’s executable file. Once you have found it, select it and click ‘Open’, then click ‘OK’. The program is now set as the default program to open the file.

What if I want to use a different program for a specific file type?

If you want to use a different program for a specific file type, you can set the program as the default for that file type. To do so, right click on the file and select ‘Properties’. From the ‘General’ tab, click the ‘Advanced’ button. This will open a window which displays all the file types associated with the file. Select the file type you want to set the program for and click ‘Change’. Then select the program you want to use and click ‘OK’. The program is now set as the default program for that file type.

What if I want to reset all my file associations to their defaults?

If you want to reset all your file associations to their defaults, you can do so by opening the Start menu and typing ‘Default Programs’. Select the ‘Default Programs’ option and click ‘Set Your Default Programs’. This will open a window which displays all the installed programs. Select the program you want to set as the default and click ‘Set this program as default’. All file associations will now be reset to their defaults.

Can I change the default programs for multiple files at once?

Yes, you can change the default programs for multiple files at once. To do so, select all the files you want to change, right click and select ‘Properties’. From the ‘General’ tab, click the ‘Change’ button. This will open a window which displays all the installed programs that can open the files. Select the program you want to use from the list and click ‘OK’. The program is now set as the default program to open the files.

Can I set a default program for all file types?

Yes, you can set a default program for all file types. To do so, open the Start menu and type ‘Default Programs’. Select the ‘Default Programs’ option and click ‘Set Your Default Programs’. This will open a window which displays all the installed programs. Select the program you want to set as the default and click ‘Set this program as default’. All file types will now be set to open with the selected program.

How to Change Default App to Open a File Type in Windows 11

As demonstrated, it is easy to change what program opens a file in Windows 11. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily customize the programs that open your files, giving you greater control over your computer and your experience. With the ability to customize your programs and open files with the program of your choice, Windows 11 provides users with the flexibility they need to get the most out of their computer.