How to change which app opens a file
When you double-click a file, your computer picks an app to open it based on the file type. You can change that default app in a few clicks — either for all files of that type, or just for one file right now. The steps differ between Windows and Mac, but both let you pick from apps already installed or search for a new one.
Most people need to change defaults when they install a new browser, email client, or document editor and want it to handle files instead of the old app. You might also want to open a single file with a different app without changing the default for everything.
Key Takeaways
- On Windows, right-click a file, choose "Open with", then "Choose another app" to pick a different default for that file type.
- On Mac, select a file, go to File menu > Get Info, change "Open with", then click "Change All" to set it for all files of that type.
- Both systems let you browse for an app if the one you want does not appear in the initial list.
- Changing a default for one file type does not affect other file types — a .pdf default is separate from a .docx default.
- If an app you installed does not appear as an option, it may not be registered to handle that file type, and you may need to set it manually or reinstall the app.
Changing defaults on Windows 11 and Windows 10
Right-click any file of the type you want to change — for example, a .pdf file if you want to change your PDF reader. Select "Open with" from the menu, then look for "Choose another app" at the bottom of the submenu.
A window opens showing apps that can handle that file type. Click the app you want to use. If you want this app to open all files of that type from now on, check the box that says "Always use this app to open [file type] files" before you click. If you do not check it, the file opens this time only, and the default stays the same.
If the app you want does not appear in the list, click "Look for another app on this PC" at the bottom. A file browser opens. Navigate to the app's installation folder — usually Program Files or Program Files (x86) — find the .exe file (the executable), and select it. The app then appears in the list for future use.
Changing defaults on Mac
Select a file of the type you want to change in Finder. Go to the File menu at the top and click Get Info. A window opens showing details about the file.
Look for the section labeled "Open with:" and click the dropdown menu next to it. A list of apps that can open that file type appears. Select the app you want. If you want this app to open all files of that type, click the button that says Change All. If you only want to change this one file, just close the window — the change applies to this file only.
If the app you want does not appear in the dropdown, click the dropdown and select "Other…" at the bottom. A file browser opens. Navigate to the Applications folder, find the app, and select it. The app is then added to the list.
Changing defaults through system settings
On Windows 11, you can also change defaults from the Settings app. Open Settings, go to Apps, then Default apps. You can search for a file type (like "PDF") or an app name, and the system shows you what currently opens that type. Click it and choose a new app from the list.
On Mac, go to System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions), then General, then Default apps or File Handlers depending on your macOS version. Select the file type or app you want to change, and pick a new default from the list.
This method is useful if you want to change several defaults at once without opening individual files. It also shows you all file types at a glance, so you can see what is currently set for each one.
When an app does not appear as an option
If you installed an app but it does not show up in the "Open with" list, the app may not have registered itself to handle that file type during installation. Some apps only register for certain types — for example, a photo editor might register for .jpg and .png but not .gif.
Try opening the app itself and looking in its settings or preferences for an option like "Set as default" or "Associate file types". Many apps have a menu item that lets you choose which file types it should handle. If you find that option, use it to register the app for the file type you want.
If the app still does not appear, try uninstalling and reinstalling it. During installation, some apps ask which file types you want them to handle — make sure you check the box for the type you need. If the installer does not ask, the app may not support that file type at all.
Opening a single file with a different app without changing the default
You do not have to change the default to open one file with a different app. On Windows, right-click the file, select "Open with", and pick an app from the list. Do not check the "Always use this app" box. The file opens with that app this time, and the default stays unchanged.
On Mac, select the file, go to File > Get Info, change the "Open with" dropdown to the app you want, and close the window. Do not click "Change All". The file opens with that app the next time you double-click it, but the default for all files of that type remains the same.
File types and extensions
A file type is determined by its extension — the letters after the dot at the end of the filename. A .pdf file is a PDF, a .docx file is a Word document, and a .jpg file is a JPEG image. Each extension has its own default app setting, separate from all others.
If you change the default for .pdf files, it does not affect .docx files or any other type. This means you can have different apps open different file types — for example, one app for PDFs, another for Word documents, and a third for spreadsheets.
If you are not sure what type a file is, right-click it (or on Mac, select it and press Space to preview it) and look at the filename extension or the file information. That tells you which default you need to change.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set a different default for the same file type on different drives or folders?
No. Defaults are set system-wide by file type, not by location. If you set .pdf files to open with App A, all .pdf files on your computer will open with App A, whether they are on your main drive, an external drive, or a network folder. To open a single file with a different app, use the "Open with" method instead of changing the default.
What if I change the default and then want to change it back?
Follow the same steps you used to change it the first time. Right-click a file of that type (or use Get Info on Mac), pick the app you want, and confirm. You can change defaults as many times as you want. On Windows, you can also reset to the system default by going to Settings > Apps > Default apps, searching for the file type, and clicking "Reset".
Why does an app I just installed not show up in the Open with list?
The app may not have registered itself for that file type during installation. Check the app's settings or preferences for an option to associate file types, or try reinstalling the app and looking for checkboxes during setup that let you choose which types it should handle. Some apps only support certain file types and cannot open others no matter what you do.
Can I set multiple apps as defaults for the same file type?
No. Only one app can be the default for each file type. When you double-click a file, your computer opens it with that one app. If you want to choose between apps each time, use the "Open with" method instead of setting a default.
Does changing the default app affect files I have already opened?
No. Changing a default only affects files you open from now on. Files you opened in the past stay associated with whatever app opened them then. The default only matters when you double-click a file or ask your computer to open a file type without specifying which app to use.