When you open files that have a particular file extension, Windows will look at its configuration to determine what the default program should be in order to work with these files. The default program ...

Microsoft uses file associations to set default programs for opening different file types on all its operating systems. As a result, when you open a file, be it text, image, or document, on your ...

Windows only: Tiny, portable utility Default Programs Editor makes short work of changing file associations, autoplay settings, and can even change the icon associated with a file type. Once you've ...

Every file on your hard drive (.jpeg, .html, and the like) can be associated with a compatible program, which will open that file format by default. Some applications will change a format’s default ...

Many programs offer internal tools for configuring file associations, but the Control Panel configures all file associations through a single Windows feature. The Control Panel can command programs ...

Windows 11 (and Windows 10, which reached end of support in October 2025) lets you assign default apps for file types, protocols, and links. But a persistent and frustrating bug causes these settings ...

Q: In setting up a new computer, I learned the version of Microsoft Office I was using on my old machine was too old to work with Windows 10, which is what came installed on my new system. To ...

Windows 8 chooses its default players to run your music and video, but what if you want different programs to open your files? Here's how to change them. John Thompson John Thompson has been addicted ...