How to change file associations in Windows 11

Have you ever tried to open a file in Windows, but a completely wrong application launches and starts loading it? It’s quite frustrating, isn’t it? Fortunately, there is a neat little workaround that we would like to teach you that will completely prevent this problem from occurring. The key to success is a setting called file associations, and we’re going to teach you where to access this tool and how to use it.

If you are not sure what type of file you want to change the association for, right-click the desired file and click Properties from the resulting menu. Seek File type at the top of the window. The three-letter designation next to it is its file type. You can do this on an individual file type basis or edit them all from one location.

Change a file type

The quickest method to edit a single file type is to do so from the Open With menu. If you want to edit multiple file types at once, continue to the next section.

Step 1: Right-click on a file of the type whose association you want to change.

2nd step: Select Open with from the resulting menu.

Step 3: Windows will then offer you an application or a list of applications that can serve as the default application for this type of file. If you see the one you want, select it and Windows will open that file in your chosen application.

Step 4: If you don’t see your favorite app, in the menu that appears when you select Open withor search for one by selecting the Search the Microsoft Store option or click Choose another app for an extended list of already installed applications.

Step 5: When you have found the desired application and it has been selected, simply click on the gray button ALL RIGHT button. You can also check the box labeled Always use this app to open [Type of File] Files before hitting the ALL RIGHT if you want this app to open all files of this type in the future.

Step 6: Now all files of this type will be opened with the application of your choice.

Change anything and everything

If you want to edit a few or all different file types, the Settings menu is the best place to go.

Step 1: press the Windows + X keys and click Settings from the resulting menu. You can also search Settings in the Windows search bar and click on the corresponding result.

2nd step: Select apps in the list of options.

Step 3: Click on Default apps in the left menu.

Step 4: Scroll down if necessary and click Choose default apps by file type.

Step 5: You will then be presented with a list of all file types supported by Windows 11, with their associated applications on the right side. If a file type does not have a particular application configured to handle it, a gray plus sign (+) icon will appear instead.

Step 6: Scroll down to find the file type whose file association you want to change. Click on the application or More icon to its right.

Step 7: Choose your favorite application from the list that appears and click on its corresponding icon. In the case of some file types, there will be several options, while others will have none.

Alternative options

There are two other routes available if you do not find an option offered. Download a compatible application from the web or select the Search for an app in the Microsoft Store option, which takes you to the Microsoft Store.

Note: In some cases, the Microsoft Store may not return any results for apps relevant to a particular file type, or it may return search results that are not relevant. If this happens to you, you need to decide which application will work with the type of file you want to edit.

Once you’ve chosen your favorite app, you’re all set. This simple change successfully reset the application to default for your targeted file type; Now this program will always open when you select a certain file type.

If you find that you need to revert to the original app, you can follow the steps above to return to the default settings. Alternatively, you can go to Default apps section of the Windows 11 Settings menu like we did before, scroll down and then click the Reset button below the sentence Reset the default settings recommended by Microsoft.

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