Where to find the default apps settings

Windows lets you pick which program opens when you click a file or link. To change these defaults, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps. This is the main control panel for all your defaults in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

You can also reach it faster by typing "default apps" into the Windows search box at the bottom left of your screen, then clicking the result. Both routes take you to the same place.

Key Takeaways

  • Default apps are set in Settings > Apps > Default apps, where you can change which program opens for each file type or link.
  • You can set defaults by file type (like .pdf or .mp3) or by choosing one app to handle all files of a certain category.
  • Windows 11 lets you set defaults by file type; Windows 10 groups them by category like "web browser" and "email".
  • Right-clicking a file and choosing "Open with" lets you pick a different app just once without changing the default.
  • Some apps, like Microsoft Edge, may reset themselves as the default after Windows updates.

Changing defaults by file type in Windows 11

Windows 11 shows you each file type separately. Scroll down the Default apps page and find the file type you want to change — for example, .pdf, .mp3, or .jpg. Click on it, and a list of programs that can open that type will appear.

Click the program you want to use. It becomes the default for that file type. You can change it back anytime by returning to the same spot and picking a different program.

This method is precise: you can set PDFs to open in one program, images in another, and videos in a third, all without affecting the others.

Changing defaults by category in Windows 10

Windows 10 groups defaults into categories instead of individual file types. You will see options like "Web browser," "Email app," "Music player," and "Video player" on the Default apps page.

Click the category you want to change. A window opens showing the programs installed on your computer that can handle that type of file. Select the one you want, and it becomes your default for the whole category.

For example, if you set VLC as your video player, it will open all video files — .mp4, .avi, .mkv, and others — unless you later change it again.

Setting defaults for a single file, not permanently

If you want to open one file with a different program without changing your default, right-click the file and select Open with. A list of programs appears. Click the one you want to use.

That file opens in the program you chose, but your default stays the same. The next time you open a file of that type, it will use your default program, not the one you picked this time.

This is useful when you want to try a different program or when you need a specific tool for just one file.

Resetting defaults to Windows standards

If you want to go back to the defaults Windows came with, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps and scroll to the bottom. Click Reset to restore the original defaults.

This does not uninstall any programs — it just tells Windows to use its built-in choices again. For example, it will set Microsoft Edge as your web browser and Windows Media Player as your video player.

You can reset individual defaults or all of them at once, depending on what you need.

Why your defaults might change after an update

Windows updates sometimes reset your defaults, especially for the web browser. This happens because Windows prioritizes its own apps — Edge, for instance, may become your default browser again after a major update even if you had set Chrome or Firefox.

If this happens, go back to Default apps and set your preference again. There is no way to prevent Windows from doing this, but the process takes less than a minute.

Some third-party programs also try to set themselves as defaults when you install them. You can change them back the same way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different defaults for different file types?

Yes. In Windows 11, you set each file type separately, so you can use one program for .pdf files and another for .jpg images. In Windows 10, defaults are grouped by category, so changing the "Music player" default affects all audio files at once.

What if a program I want to use does not show up in the default apps list?

The program may not be installed, or it may not be registered to handle that file type. Install the program first, then check the default apps list again. If it still does not appear, the program may not support that file type.

Does changing defaults affect files I already have?

No. Changing a default only affects files you open from now on. Files you opened before the change will not be affected. If you want to open an old file with a new program, right-click it and choose "Open with."

Why does my web browser keep changing back to Edge?

Windows updates sometimes reset your browser default to Edge. This is normal. Go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps and set your preferred browser again. You may need to do this after major Windows updates.

Can I set defaults for file types that are not listed?

In Windows 11, you can scroll through the full list of file types. If a type does not appear, right-click a file of that type, choose "Open with," and select the program you want. Windows may then add it to the defaults list.