Quick answer: to change the default app for a file type in Windows 11:
- Press Windows + I and go to Apps › Default apps.
- In the box Set a default for a file type or link type, type the extension, for example
.pdf. - Click the current app under the result and choose the new one, then click Set default.
Even faster: right-click a file › Open with › Choose another app, select the app and click Always.
Sommaire
- Which method should you use?
- Method 1: Open with › Always (fastest)
- Method 2: set a default for a file type in Settings
- Method 3: set defaults for an app
- Method 4: browse the full list of file types
- Common file types and recommended apps
- Reset all default apps
- Default app keeps changing back? Fixes
- Advanced: export and import defaults (for admins)
- Related guides on les-imprimantes.com
- Frequently asked questions
- Sources and references
Which method should you use?
| Method | Best for | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Open with › Always | One file type you have in front of you | 10 seconds |
| 2. Settings › Default apps › search an extension | Any file or link type (.pdf, .mp4, mailto, http) | 30 seconds |
| 3. Settings › Default apps › choose an app | Give one app (browser, photo viewer) all its file types | 1 minute |
| 4. Choose defaults by file type (full list) | Reviewing many extensions at once | A few minutes |
| 5. Reset all default apps | Defaults are messed up and you want Microsoft’s defaults back | 10 seconds |
Method 1: Open with › Always (fastest)
- Right-click a file of the type you want to change (for example a PDF).
- Choose Open with › Choose another app.
- Select the app in the list. If it’s missing, click Choose an app on your PC and browse to its
.exefile. - Click Always. Every file with this extension now opens with that app.
Click Just once instead to open the file with that app this time only.
Windows 10: in Open with › Choose another app, tick Always use this app to open .xxx files, then click OK.
Method 2: set a default for a file type in Settings
- Open Settings › Apps › Default apps. Shortcut: Windows + R, type
ms-settings:defaultapps, press Enter. - In Set a default for a file type or link type, type the extension with the dot (
.jpg,.mp4,.docx). - Click the app shown under the result (or Choose a default if none is set).
- Pick the new app and click Set default.
The same box works for link types: type mailto for email links or http / https for web links.
Method 3: set defaults for an app
- In Settings › Apps › Default apps, scroll to Set defaults for applications and click the app (for example VLC or Google Chrome).
- Windows lists every file and link type the app can open, with the current default under each one.
- Click each type you want to change and choose the app.
- For web browsers, a Set default button at the top assigns the main web types (.htm, .html, HTTP, HTTPS) in one click.
Method 4: browse the full list of file types
- At the bottom of Default apps, click Choose defaults by file type (or Choose defaults by link type).
- Scroll through the extensions, click the app next to one and pick a new default.
Windows 10: Settings › Apps › Default apps › Choose default apps by file type.
Common file types and recommended apps
| Extension | File type | Built-in Windows app | Popular alternatives |
|---|---|---|---|
.pdf |
PDF document | Microsoft Edge | Adobe Acrobat Reader, SumatraPDF |
.jpg, .png, .heic |
Image | Photos | IrfanView, XnView |
.mp4, .mkv |
Video | Media Player | VLC |
.mp3 |
Audio | Media Player | VLC, foobar2000 |
.txt |
Text | Notepad | Notepad++, VS Code |
.docx, .xlsx |
Office documents | Word, Excel (if installed) | LibreOffice |
.zip |
Archive | File Explorer | 7-Zip |
.html, HTTP/HTTPS |
Web pages and links | Microsoft Edge | Chrome, Firefox |
mailto |
Email links | Outlook | Thunderbird, a webmail in your browser |
Tip: to see a file’s real extension, turn on View › Show › File name extensions in File Explorer. It also helps spot fake files such as invoice.pdf.exe.
Reset all default apps
- Open Settings › Apps › Default apps.
- Scroll to Reset all default apps and click Reset.
Windows restores Microsoft’s defaults (Edge, Photos, Media Player…). You will need to set your preferred apps again.
Default app keeps changing back? Fixes
| Problem | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| “An app default was reset” notification | A Windows update or app reset the association | Set the default again in Settings; install pending updates for the app |
| An app takes over file types after install or update | The app’s installer claims file types | Look for an “associate file types” option in the app’s settings and turn it off |
| The app isn’t in the Open with list | Portable app or unusual install | Open with › Choose an app on your PC › select its .exe file |
| Can’t change a default (greyed out) | Work or school policy | Ask your IT department |
| Wrong app opens even after changing | Different extension than expected (.jpeg vs .jpg) | Show file name extensions and set each extension |
| Uninstalled app is still the default | Leftover association | Set a new default for that extension; see our guide to uninstalling a program (in French) |
Advanced: export and import defaults (for admins)
To copy the same associations to several PCs, an administrator can export them to an XML file in Command Prompt (admin):
Dism /Online /Export-DefaultAppAssociations:C:\Temp\DefaultApps.xmlThe file can then be applied to new user profiles with /Import-DefaultAppAssociations or a Group Policy. This is meant for IT departments; home users should stick to Settings.
🛠️ Real-world case: PDFs kept opening in the browser
| Situation | An office user had installed Adobe Acrobat Reader to sign PDFs, but invoices still opened in Microsoft Edge |
|---|---|
| Cause | Installing Acrobat Reader doesn’t always change the default; .pdf was still associated with Edge |
| Fix | Settings › Apps › Default apps › search .pdf › Adobe Acrobat › Set default; then checked that the printer settings worked in Acrobat |
| Time | About 1 minute |
Takeaway: installing an app doesn’t guarantee it becomes the default. Search the extension in Default apps to check.
Related guides on les-imprimantes.com
- How to set your preferred default printer in Windows (in French)
- Default printer configuration: complete guide for Windows and Mac (in French)
- Uninstall a program on Windows and Mac (in French)
- Reset audio settings in Windows (in French)
- Install a pending Windows update (in French)
- All our Windows guides
Frequently asked questions
How do I change the default app for a file type in Windows 11?
Open Settings › Apps › Default apps, type the extension (for example .pdf) in Set a default for a file type or link type, click the current app and choose the new one, then click Set default.
How do I change the default app with right-click?
Right-click a file, choose Open with › Choose another app, select the app and click Always. All files with that extension will open with it.
How do I change the default PDF reader?
Search .pdf in Settings › Apps › Default apps and pick your PDF app, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, or right-click a PDF › Open with › Choose another app › Always.
How do I change the default browser in Windows 11?
Open Settings › Apps › Default apps, click your browser in the list and click Set default at the top of its page.
Why does Windows keep resetting my default apps?
Windows updates or app installers can reset associations. Set the default again in Settings, and turn off any file association option in the app that keeps taking over.
How do I reset all default apps?
Open Settings › Apps › Default apps, scroll to Reset all default apps and click Reset. Windows restores Microsoft’s recommended defaults.
Can I set different apps for .jpg and .png?
Yes. Each extension has its own default. Search each one in Default apps and choose an app for it.
Sources and references
- Microsoft Learn – ms-settings commands (ms-settings:defaultapps)
- [Microsoft Support – Change default apps in Windows: add the link from support.microsoft.com]
- Own tests on Windows 11 and Windows 10, [add test date]
