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This wikiHow teaches you how to control which Windows applications open certain file types (e.g. .docx, .gif, .pdf) by default.
Steps
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1Press ⊞ Win+S. This opens the search bar.
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2Type control panel. A list of suggested results will appear.Advertisement
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3Click Control Panel. This opens a list of system settings.
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4Type file into the search box. It’s at the top-right corner of the Control Panel window. A list of suggested results will appear.
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5Click Change the file type associated with a file extension. It’s under the “File Explorer Options” header. This opens a list of known file extensions.
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6Click the extension you want to associate with an app. Extensions are the last letters of the file name after a period (e.g. .docx, .txt, .jpg).
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7Click Change program…. It’s the button at the top-right corner of the list.
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8Click an app. If you don’t see the right app in the list, click More Apps to view more.
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9Click OK. Files with the selected extension will now open in this app by default.
- Repeat this process for any other file extensions you wish to adjust.
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About This Article
1. Press ⊞ Win+S.
2. Type “control panel.”
3. Click Control Panel.
4. Type “file” into the search box.
5. Click Change the file type associated with a file extension.
6. Select an extension.
7. Click Change program…
8. Select an app.
9. Click OK.
