How do I change file associations in Windows 10?

How do I change file associations in Windows 10?

In Windows 10, you can change file associations to define which program or application opens a specific file type. This allows you to customize the default behavior of your system and ensure that the right program is used to open different types of files. In this article, we will guide you through the process of changing file associations in Windows 10.

Why change file associations?

Before we dive into the process of changing file associations, let’s briefly discuss why it’s important. Changing file associations can be useful in a number of scenarios, including:

• You have recently installed a new program or application and want to use it as the default handler for a specific file type.
• You prefer to use a different program to open a particular file type that is currently associated with a different program.
• You have moved to a new operating system and the file associations are different from what you’re used to.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Changing File Associations

To change file associations in Windows 10, follow these steps:

Step 1: Right-Click on the File Type

The first step is to right-click on the file type for which you want to change the association. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open File Explorer by pressing the Windows key + E or navigating to the Start menu and clicking on File Explorer.
2. Navigate to the folder where the file type you want to change the association for is located.
3. Right-click on the file type and select "Open with" from the context menu.
4. Select "Choose another app" from the drop-down menu.

Step 2: Choose a New Program

Next, you’ll need to choose a new program to associate with the file type. You can either select a program that is already installed on your system or browse to the location of the program you want to use. To do this, follow these steps:

1. In the "Open with" window, click on the "Browse" button.
2. Navigate to the location of the program you want to use to open the file type.
3. Select the program executable file (e.g., "chrome.exe" for Google Chrome).
4. Click "Open" to close the "Browse" window.
5. Click "OK" to confirm the change.

Step 3: Verify the Change

Finally, it’s a good idea to verify that the change has taken effect. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Right-click on the file type again and select "Open with" from the context menu.
2. Verify that the new program is selected as the default handler for the file type.

Additional Tips and Tricks

• Resetting File Associations to Defaults: If you want to reset the file associations to their default settings, you can use the "Open with" window to select "More apps" and then "Choose Defender Settings" to reset the associations.
• Batch Changing File Associations: You can also use the "Set default" button in the "Open with" window to change the association for multiple file types at once. This is useful if you want to switch to a new default browser, for example, for all file types that are currently associated with an older browser.
• Associating File Types with Built-In Apps: Some file types are associated with built-in apps, such as the Photos app for images or the Movies & TV app for video files. To change the association for these types, you’ll need to use the "Choose an app" window.

Conclusion

In this article, we’ve covered the basics of changing file associations in Windows 10. We’ve walked you through the process of right-clicking on a file type, choosing a new program to associate with it, and verifying the change. We’ve also provided some additional tips and tricks for customizing file associations to your liking. By following these steps and tips, you can take control of your system and ensure that the right program is used to open different types of files.