In the Windows operating system, it is common for programs to automatically recognize the files you want to open and select the appropriate application.
However, sometimes Windows doesn’t allow you to choose the program you want. For example, in Windows latest version, the Groove Music app from the Start menu may be automatically selected to play your music. At the same time, you prefer to use Windows Media Player on the desktop.
Opening a file with the wrong program can lead to frustration and confusion. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to set the right default program to open your files in Windows.
In this guide, we’ll explore step-by-step how to choose the right program to open your files. We’ll also discuss why Windows sometimes chooses the wrong program and how to understand the underlying file associations.
By following the provided tips and tricks, you will be able to easily resolve this issue and improve your user experience on Windows.
Why Does Windows Choose the Wrong Program?
Windows uses the file associations system, where each file has a specific extension that indicates which program should be used to open it. For example, files with a .txt extension are usually opened with Notepad. If Windows doesn’t recognize extensions or if the program you want isn’t listed, you might be experiencing this issue.
Windows 11 also uses the term “app” to refer to traditional desktop programs and Start menu apps. Be sure to pay attention to Windows terminology when you’re on the desktop. If Windows says that an action will affect your application, it will also affect your desktop program.
Steps to Change File Opener Program
- Right-click on the problematic file and select Open With from the menu that appears. Windows will display a list of programs that can open the file, including apps you’ve used before.
- You’ll see a list of apps that can open the file. Just click on the app to open it. This will only open the file with the app you selected, but it won’t change the default.
- Select the Choose Another App option. A new window will appear, displaying more apps. If you see the app you want, just click on it to select it. Make sure to click the Always button so you don’t have to repeat this step in the future.
- If the app you want doesn’t appear, swipe down and click Look for An App in the Microsoft Store. This will open the Microsoft Store, where you can search for and install new apps that can open the file. After installing a new app, it will usually set itself as the default to open that type of file.
- You can also select Choose app on your PC to open the file with the installed application. You will be directed to select the folder where the application is located.
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Manage default apps through settings
You can also select the default app through the Settings menu:
- Click the Settings icon in the Start menu.
- Select Apps in the left pane.
- From the Apps window, select Default Apps. You can click on the name of the app you want to change and select another program from the list that appears.
Using Multiple Apps for the Same File
If you want to use multiple apps to open the same file, you can do it by:
- Right-click on the file, select Open With, and select the program you need. Make sure to select Choose Another App. Select an app and click the Always button so you can choose another app at a later time.
However, sometimes you can’t get your favorite program to open a particular file because it doesn’t know how to open it. For example, Windows 11 can’t play DVDs. The only solution is to install a DVD player program or app from the Microsoft Store.
Understanding File Associations
Every program in Windows attaches a secret code known as a file extension to every file it creates. This extension serves to tell Windows which program to use to open the file.
For example, Notepad adds .txt extensions to every file it creates. Windows does not display this extension by default to protect users from errors.
If you want to see file extensions, follow these steps:
- In the Windows File Manager, click the View menu.
- Select Show from the drop-down menu.
- Select File Name Extensions to display the file extension. You can repeat this step to hide the file extension again.
Unless you’re a techie, you shouldn’t let Windows display filename extensions. Don’t change the file extension unless you know what you’re doing. Windows will forget which program to use to open the file, potentially making the file inaccessible.
Conclusion
By following the steps above, you can easily set up the right program to open your files on Windows. This not only improves your user experience but also helps you avoid confusion when working with different file types. Feel free to explore the different apps in the Microsoft Store to find the one that best suits your needs.