How To Change The Default App In Windows 10

The default apps in Windows 10 exercise a good task, but there are some instances where you may want to change them. If you've switched from Edge to Chrome, for case, y'all may want to ensure your links open in the right browser.

What is a default app?

A default app is simply an app that is ready as the primary app for performing a sure task. On Windows 10, Mail is the default app for electronic mail use, and every bit such files associated with email will open in information technology automatically.

The default apps settings page lets you easily customize these choices to your liking. Yous tin can additionally change file associations in Windows ten – modifying which app opens which file types.

First, though we're going to show you to reset your default apps to the Microsoft recommended ones. This will be useful if a file type keeps opening in an app you don't like, or an unwanted program has changed your preferences.

How to Reset Default Apps / File Associations in Windows 10

If your file keeps trying to open in the incorrect program in Windows 10, yous tin can reset file associations to their manufacturing plant land. This is made easy by a uncomplicated button in the settings menu.

Open settings

Press the "Start" button, and so click the settings cog, above the power push. Alternatively, printing Windows + I.
Click 'Apps'
Reset default apps in Windows 10 settings

Click "Default apps" in the sidebar to reach the default apps settings page. Gyre to the very bottom until you see a heading that says "Reset to the Microsoft recommended defaults". Press the large "Reset" button underneath information technology.
Wait for the tick to appear next to the 'Reset' button

Your default programs should now exist set to the Microsoft recommended defaults.

How to Alter Default Programs / Default Apps in Windows 10 via 'Open up with…'

Often, you'll also desire to modify file associations in Windows 10 and so that specific file types open with a different app. For example, you lot may want .jpg files to open in Paint, simply .png with Photos. You can do so easily via the "Open with" menu.

Method one: Right-click a file and select 'Open with.'

The option should be somewhere towards the middle of your context menu, simply it will depend on what other apps you have installed.

In the sub-card, click the app you want the file to open with from the listing.
Method 2: Use the File Explorer ribbon

Alternatively, you can modify default programs in Windows 10 by clicking on the file then on the "Abode" tab in your File Explorer ribbon. You'll meet "Open" on the right-manus side. Click the dropdown arrow side by side to it and select your app from the list.
Method three: Set a custom default app via the 'Open with…' menu

If the app yous want to utilise isn't on the listing, yous can right-click your file, hover over "Open with", and then click "Choose another app". Only scan to the application'southward .exe file and click "Open" to choose it.
Method four: Set a custom default app via the File Explorer ribbon

You tin can also fix a custom default app in the File Explorer ribbon. Click the file yous'd like to modify, press "Home", and so click the drib-down arrow side by side to "Open up". At the bottom of the list, click "Choose another app".
Select an option from the list or await for some other app

An application picker window will surface, presenting you with three options:

a) Select an app from the list and press "OK".
b) Press "More apps" and choose one from the extended list.
c) Click "Look for another app on this PC" to choose one from the Microsoft Store

Make sure you tick "E'er apply this app to open…" if you want the changes to stick.
Choose an app to open up an unassociated file via File Explorer Ribbon

If y'all have a file that isn't associated with an app at all, ane way to modify file associations for it in Windows x uses the File Explorer ribbon.

Click the file, then press "Home" in the ribbon bar at the top. Press the drib-down next to "Open up" and choose "Pick an app".
Choose an app to open an unassociated file via 'Open with'

Alternatively, right-click the file and press "Open up with" at the top.
Change file associations for the unassociated app

In the "How do you want to open this file?" carte du jour, click "More apps". Cull 1 from the list or press "Await for another app on this PC".

How to Modify Default Apps / Default Program in Windows 10 via File Properties

If your app doesn't show an "Open with" option in the right-click card, you can usually change file associations in Windows 10 through the properties menu. Here's how:

Right-click the file and select 'Properties'
Click 'Change…' in the full general tab
Choose an app from the listing and press 'OK'

Don't forget that you lot tin can find more options under the "More apps" heading, and search for apps on the Store.
Press 'OK' in the properties carte du jour

Before you do so, you lot should run into that the application next to the "Opens with:" heading has changed.

How to Modify Default Apps / Default Programs in the Default Apps Settings Page

Every bit yous may have noticed when we reset our apps earlier, Windows 10 also lets you customize some default apps in the default apps settings page. Here'south how you tin access it:

Open up Settings

Printing the "Beginning" button, then click the settings cog, above the ability button. Alternatively, press Windows + I.
Click 'Apps'
Change your default programs

Click "Default apps" in the sidebar and click an app under the "Choose default apps" heading. You'll see in that location are options for Email, Maps, Music, and Photos.

Once yous've clicked an app, choose an alternative from the "Choose an app" menu.

How to Modify Default Apps / Default Programs past File Type in Settings

Windows x also lets you change file associations through the settings window.

Open Settings

Press the "Start" button, then click the settings cog, above the power button. Alternatively, press Windows + I.
Click 'Apps'
Click 'Default apps' in the sidebar, so 'Choose default apps by file blazon'

You'll find the apps by filetype heading at the very bottom of the main pane.
Select a file type and app from the list

Windows 10 will return a listing of dozens of file types and their associated app. Just click the app icon next to a file type and cull an app from the list.

How to Change Windows 10 Default Programs / Default Apps past Protocol in Settings

Some apps you interact with not through file type, but the protocol associated with them. Mail apps, for example, may use the Mailto: protocol. You lot can suit these options in Settings, as well. This is useful if y'all've switched to a different app but some file types keep opening in your old ane.

Open Settings

Printing the "Start" button, then click the settings cog, to a higher place the power button. Alternatively, printing Windows + I.
Click 'Apps'
Click 'Choose default apps by protocol'

Yous'll need to click "Default apps" in the sidebar and then curlicue to the lesser of the folio to detect this option.
Change your default apps by protocol

Windows 10 will give you a long listing of unlike protocols and their associated apps. Simply click the app icon next to a protocol and choose an selection from the listing to change it.

How to Set Defaults by App in Settings

Finally, you lot can get an overview of every file type that's opened by a certain app and alter file associations there.

Open Settings

Press the "Kickoff" button, so click the settings cog, to a higher place the ability button. Alternatively, printing Windows + I.
Click 'Apps'
Press 'Set defaults by app'

You can find the option by clicking "Default apps" in your sidebar to open the default apps settings page, so scrolling to the bottom.
Click on an app and press 'Manage'
Change the default programs for your desired filetypes

In the app's settings window, click the app icon side by side to the file types you'd like to change and cull a different option from the list.

With that, you should have a good idea of how to modify default apps for most Windows 10 file types and protocols. However, if y'all really hate the default apps you may want to remove them entirely. Yous should as well consider changing the default app install location to salve infinite on your Os drive.