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Changing Default Program for File Extension in Windows 10

I recently set up a new Windows 10 computer. This included installing some of my favorite freeware utilities.

Then I went into the W10 Settings tool to change the default program for certain file type extensions to use my preferred tool rather than the pre-installed default.

Alas, the only options were the pre-installed software, or "Look for an app in the store"

But I don't want to buy or download an app, I have my preferred one already installed. How can I select it?


Turns out I can't, at least not using the Settings app.

To select a pre-installed tool as a Default app when it is not showing up as an option:

  1. Go to the old-fashioned Control Panel - click on the Windows logo and start typing "Control panel" - it should appear in the list of suggestions.
  2. Choose "Programs" and then "Make a file type always open in a specific program"
  3. Scroll through the Extensions list to find the one you wish to change, and select it
  4. Click "Change program.."
  5. If the app or program you want is not in the list, click "More apps"
  6. Scroll to find the one you want to use as your default. If it is still not in the list, click "Look for another app on this PC" and navigate to its installation location. Select it.


A useful feature in the Control Panel approach is you can click on the "Current Default" header to sort the extensions by default program. This way, you can quickly see all file extensions that map to, say, the program you want to no longer use. Sadly, you cannot CTRL-Select multiple entries and change them all at once.

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