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.