#Set default programs for extensions how to#
#Set default programs for extensions windows 10#
#Set default programs for extensions windows 8#

#Set default programs for extensions windows 10#

In Windows 10 & Windows 8.1: Right click on the Start menu and then choose Control Panel. Set the View by to Small icons and then choose Default Programs. In Windows 7: click the Start menu and then choose Control Panel. The way to choose a default program for a specific type of files, is from Control Panel > Default Programs. Choose a Default Program for specific file types (extensions).

#Set default programs for extensions how to#

Extra: How to restore the default 'Open With' dialog for unknown extension(s). Associate a specific extension to open with a default program.

Choose the Default Program for specific extension(s). How To Change Default Programs & File Associations in Windows 10, 8 & 7.

#Set default programs for extensions windows 8#

Many times there is the need to change the already associated program or app for a specific type of file(s), so I write this tutorial which contains detailed instructions on how you can specify a different program or application to handle a specific file type on a Windows 10, Windows 8 & 8.1 and Windows 7 OS. If Windows doesn't recognize the file's extension, then the user is prompted with an ' Open with' dialog on ' How do you want to open this file?'. You can also use the Select All option, which does the same as the Set this Program as default in the previous step.Whenever you try to open a file in Windows, the system checks the type of the file by reading its extension (known as ' Filename extension') and then launches the appropriate program associated with this type of file in order to open/view the file. Something like AVI files being opened in Windows Media Player and MKV files in VLC Player for example. You can for example define only one file extension for the program to be default and other one for another program. In the Set Program Associations panel you can exactly define for which file extensions will the program be used as defaults. The other option is explored in the following step. If you select all, then you are finished and the application will be now default for all its supported file types. Either Set this program as default, which associates the program will all of its possible file formats, or you can manually select, which format the program should work with in the Choose defaults for this program option. media players, web browsers and such, and compete for the rights to work with certain file types or protocols.Īfter you have chosen the program you want to adjust, you are presented with two options. Usually its programs which have same purposes ie. In the Set Default Programs panel you can see various applications installed on your computer, which can have one ore more defaults set for it. Step 3: Select the program for default changes In the Default Programs control panel click on Set your default programs to launch the Set Default Programs panel, where you can perform the change. Step 2: Open the Set Default Programs panel in Default Programs control panel To find the control where you can change the association of programs with certain file types just click on the Start → Default programs buttons to launch the Default Programs control panel. Step 1: Open the Default programs control panel The following control panel functions are available in Windows Vista and Windows 7 editions only. If you want to quickly set your preferred application as default program for associations of certain file types, lets say you want Windows Media Player to automatically open AVI files, just follow these few steps, which will show you how to manage and change default programs in Windows operating system. With latest versions of Microsoft Windows operating system, managing and changing default programs for associations has become even easier. They make themselves the default application for that file type instead of a previously installed application, something users can usually notice on icons of most multimedia files, that change depending on what program is set as default for their associations. Many programs, when installed, change the default association configuration in Windows to their favor.

How to manage and change default programs in Windows