Every file on your PC has a program out there to open it. If the software isn't installed, your arrangement will tell you so, and will ask for instructions on what software it should try to use to open information technology. Windows, macOS and other platforms match sure file extensions to default programs. If the software isn't at that place, the files can't open.

That's why Microsoft Word opens when you attempt to open up a DOCX file if y'all have Microsoft Part installed. If you'd prefer to open that file in another program like LibreOffice instead, then you'll need to change the default program in Windows 10 or macOS for that file type.

How To Change Default Program in Windows 10

Changing file associations in Windows x is pretty piece of cake to practice, and there are a couple of ways in which you lot can do it.

  • If y'all're looking to modify a default program in Windows x and you lot have a file with the same file format on your drive, you can hands modify the application that opens information technology by right-clicking the file in Windows File Explorer (or on your desktop), hovering over the Open up with menu, and clicking the Choose some other app selection.
  • In the How practise you want to open this file? selection window, Windows will automatically attempt to identify software you have installed that may work with that file. To view a full list of installed software on your PC, click the More apps choice at the bottom of the list, or Look for an app in the Microsoft Store to search for software capable of opening it in the Microsoft Shop.
  • One time y'all've selected the right software, click to enable the Ever use this app to open checkbox to ensure that that software you've selected e'er opens that file type. Click OK to open the file and modify the default plan Windows uses for this file type to your selected app.

Some types of software, such as web browsers, aren't usually used to open files on your PC, making information technology hard to use the higher up method to change the default program. Yous may also exist looking for a method to modify multiple file types at once, which yous may do if you're changing the default media player on your PC, for instance.

In both cases, yous'll need to alter the default program for your file or web protocol in the Windows Settings carte instead.

  • To do this, correct-click the Windows Start menu and printing the Settings option. In the Settings menu, click Apps > Default apps. This volition brandish a list of some of the more common programs yous might utilise, such equally your web browser or email customer.
  • To alter any of these, click on one of the options and select a replacement. For example, clicking the Web browser option volition give you the choice to select Microsoft Border, Internet Explorer, or a third-political party browser you may have installed like Google Chrome. You can also click Expect for an app in the Microsoft Store to search for alternatives to install instead.
  • Just a select number of potential programs are listed hither, yet. To change all of the default programs Windows uses by their associated file blazon, press the Choose default apps by file blazon option in the Default apps menu. Alternatively, press Choose default apps past protocol to modify associations for spider web URLs, for instance.
  • Windows will display a long list of known file types in the next menu. To modify any of these, click on the known choice for that type and select from the list that appears in the Cull an app menu. If there isn't an existing default app practical, click Choose a default and select an option. For file types that take no known software installed, click Look for an app in the Microsoft Shop for potential alternatives.
  • Any changes you lot make volition be practical immediately. If yous need to reset these default program settings at a later on date, return to the Default apps card and click the Reset push button.

How To Change Default Program in macOS

If you want to change the default program on a Mac, you'll need a file in the file format you're looking to open.

  • To start, open up the Finder app and find the location of your file. To alter the file clan for that file type, right-click the file, then press Open up With > Other.
  • Finder will ask you to select the app you'd similar to employ to open up that file. Select an appropriate app from the Applications menu, then click to enable the Always Open up With checkbox to make sure that you modify the default programme on Mac to that application. Press Open to open the file and save your selected program as the default selection to open that file type in the procedure.
  • Yous can also change this setting past right-clicking a file in Finder and clicking the Become Info option.
  • In the Info window for your file, click to open the Open With subcategory. From hither, y'all can select a new application to open up files with the same file type. Select an culling app from the card, then press the Modify All button to utilize the change to all files with the same file type.
  • The methods to a higher place volition work for most all apps and file types, but yous'll demand to follow a different method to change the default spider web browser on macOS. To do this, printing the Apple menu icon in the peak-left area of the bill of fare bar, and so click the Organisation Preferences pick.
  • In Organization Preferences, click the General option. In the General card, select an alternative spider web browser from the Default web browser drop-down menu. Any changes you make volition be applied immediately.

Replacing One-time Software on Windows and macOS

If yous desire to change the default program in Windows ten or macOS, you'll need software installed to replace information technology. Y'all could await to replace outdated paid software with newer, more than up-to-date open-source software alternatives that won't toll you anything to install or use.

Replacing older software on macOS is a little trickier, equally you may find that equivalents to the software y'all're happy using just doesn't exist, specially if y'all're switching from Windows. If yous're having trouble, you may need to let unverified apps to install, but make sure that you simply install software from sources you trust.