File associations program

Next, select "Default apps" from the list of System settings and click "Choose default apps by file type", which is near the bottom of the right pane.

Next to each file type, the default program is listed, followed by a list of other programs that can open the file. To modify the default program that opens PNG images, scroll down to the PNG file type and click the icon of the current default program, as shown below. Select the program you want to set as the default program, such as Paint. The icon of the default app will instantly change to Paint's icon and now all PNG files will automatically open in Paint when you double-click them.

Home Help Center Question. How do I change file associations in Windows 10? Updated February 26, NOTE: To permanently change the file association, make sure to select the option "Always use this app to open. Create a personalised content profile. Measure ad performance.

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Develop and improve products. List of Partners vendors. By Tim Fisher. Tim Fisher. Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the VP and General Manager of Lifewire. Reviewed by Ryan Perian. Tweet Share Email. The whole process takes less than five minutes. Setting a program's default file association does not restrict other programs that support the file type from working. Was this page helpful?

Thanks for letting us know! Email Address Sign up There was an error. Please try again. You're in! Thanks for signing up. There was an error. Tell us why! More from Lifewire. Excel or Word Won't Open? How to Disable Error Reporting in Windows. How to Properly Reinstall Software in Windows. How to Change the Default Browser in Windows. Your Privacy Rights. You can do it on an individual file-type basis or change all of them from one location. The quickest method to change a single file type is to do it from the Open With menu.

If you want to change more than one file type at a time, skip to the next section. Step 1: Right-click on a file of the type you wish to change the association for. Step 3: Windows will then offer you an app or a list of apps that can act as the default for that file type.

Step 6: From now on, any files of that type will be opened with your chosen application. If you want to change a few different file types — or even all of them — then the Settings menu is the best place to go. Alternatively, search for Settings in the Windows search bar and click the relevant result.

Step 6: Scroll through the list to find the file type you want to change the file association for. Click the application or Plus icon to its right. Step 7: Choose your preferred application from the list that appears and click its corresponding icon.