windows 10 how to change default program for file extension

Checking this box makes file extensions visible not just Click or tap the View menu and check the box labeledįile name extensions you'll see each file's extension displayed to the Under normal circumstances, file extensions are hidden from view in File Explorer,īut it's easy to make them visible. Table lists some frequently encountered file extensions and types. It looks at the type of file that you're opening-which is denoted by a three- or- fourĬharacter suffix called an extension-and then starts up the program that's been definedĪs the default program for that file type. So how does Windows decide to automatically open file x using program y? Put simply,

In this tutorial, but be aware that the terms are essentially synonymous. For the sake of clarity, we're going to refer mainly to 'programs' Microsoft uses both of these terms in Windows, and not entirelyĬonsistently, either. Use to open a file, although the latter term is more often used to refer to programsĭownloaded from Microsoft's Windows Store (and which have a modern, touchoriented Strictly speaking, there isn't any-both are a piece of software that you We'll also outline how to change theĭefault program for a file type and then override that default for specific instances when you want to open a file in a different program than usual.īefore we get started, let's talk about the difference between a 'program' and an Opens your files and how to check in advance which program is configured to open which In this tutorial, we'll explore how Windows determines which program automatically Is especially irksome when a given file used to open in a familiar program but then suddenly and for no apparent reason opens in a different one. Open it only to find that it doesn't open in the program you were expecting it to. One of the more frustrating aspects of using a PC is when you click or tap on a file to

Windows 10 how to change default program for file extension