Look at the list of extensions and select any other extensions (files types) you want to be opened by the selected program. If you select the Choose defaults for this program option, then a new window will open that lists all the extensions (types of files) that the selected program can handle (open). Choose defaults for this program to choose which specific file types the selected application can open by default. Set this program as default to make the selected application as the default application to open all files types that it can handle, orī. Set the View by to Small icons and then choose Default Programs.Īt Default programs options, choose Set your default programs.Īt the left pane select the application that you want and then click:Ī. 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). 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.

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?'. 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.

How to change default program open file