What "Open With" means and why you might change it

When you double-click a file on your computer, Windows or Mac automatically opens it in a specific program. That program is your default for that file type. If you want PDFs to open in a different reader, or photos to open in an editor instead of a viewer, you change the default by using the "Open With" menu.

Your computer assigns defaults based on what you install. When you add new software, it often volunteers itself as the default for files it can handle. You might end up with a program you don't actually want to use every time you open that file type. Changing the default takes one or two clicks and sticks until you change it again.

Key Takeaways

  • Right-click any file, select "Open With", and choose the program you want to use instead — this changes the default for that entire file type.
  • On Windows, you can also go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and search for the file type to change all at once.
  • On Mac, select a file, press Command+I to open Info, and change the default in the "Open With" dropdown.
  • If the program you want does not appear in the "Open With" menu, you may need to install it first or browse for it manually.
  • Changing a default does not uninstall the old program — it just stops using it automatically when you open that file type.

Changing defaults on Windows using right-click

The fastest way on Windows is to right-click any file of the type you want to change. For example, right-click a PDF, a photo, or a Word document. A menu appears with "Open With" near the bottom. Hover over or click "Open With" to see a list of programs that can open that file type.

Find the program you want to use and click it. A checkbox or option labeled "Always use this app to open [file type]" should appear — check that box. From now on, files of that type will open in the program you chose. If you do not see the checkbox, look for a link that says "Choose another app" or "More apps" and repeat the process with that option selected.

If the program you want is not in the list, click "Choose another app" or "Look for another app on this PC". A window opens where you can browse your computer for the program's executable file (usually a .exe file). Navigate to the program's folder, select it, and click Open.

Changing defaults on Windows through Settings

If you want to change defaults for multiple file types at once, or if right-click is not working, use the Settings app. Press the Windows key, type "Default Apps", and open the Default Apps settings page.

Scroll down to "File Type Associations" or search for the specific file type you want to change (like .pdf, .jpg, or .docx). Click the file type and a list of programs appears. Select the one you want to use as the default. The change takes effect immediately.

This method also works if you want to see all the file types currently assigned to a specific program. Search for the program name instead of the file type, and you will see every file type it is set to open.

Changing defaults on Mac

On Mac, select any file of the type you want to change. Press Command+I (or right-click and select "Get Info"). A window opens showing details about the file. Look for the section labeled "Open With" — it shows the current default program.

Click the dropdown menu next to "Open With" and select the program you want to use instead. Below that dropdown, click the button that says "Change All" — this applies the change to every file of that type on your computer. Close the Info window and you are done.

If the program you want does not appear in the dropdown, it may not be installed yet, or Mac may not recognize it as able to open that file type. Install the program first, then repeat these steps.

What to do if your preferred program does not appear

If you do not see the program you want in the "Open With" menu, the most common reason is that it is not installed on your computer yet. Install the program first, then try again. Some programs do not register themselves as able to open certain file types until after installation is complete.

If the program is installed but still does not appear, try opening the program itself and looking for a settings or preferences menu. Many programs have an option like "Set as default for [file type]" buried in their settings. Using that option often makes the program appear in the "Open With" menu.

On Windows, you can also manually browse for the program's executable file using the "Choose another app" or "Look for another app on this PC" option. On Mac, if the program still does not appear after installation, restart your computer — Mac sometimes needs a restart to recognize newly installed programs.

Undoing a default change

If you change your mind and want to go back to the original default, use the same steps you used to change it. Right-click a file of that type (or use Settings on Windows, or Get Info on Mac) and select the program you want to use instead. There is no "undo" button, but you can always switch back to any program that can open that file type.

If you want to reset all defaults to what they were when you first set up your computer, Windows has a "Reset" option in Settings > Apps > Default Apps. This is a nuclear option and will change many defaults at once, so use it only if you have made many changes and want to start over.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does changing the default uninstall the old program?

No. Changing the default only stops using that program automatically when you open the file type. The program stays installed on your computer. You can still open it manually from your Applications folder or Start menu, and you can still use it to open files by right-clicking and choosing "Open With".

Can I set different defaults for the same file type?

No. Each file type can have only one default program at a time. However, you can always right-click a specific file and choose "Open With" to open it in a different program without changing the default. This is useful when you want one program to be the default but occasionally need to use another.

Why does a program keep resetting itself as the default?

Some programs automatically set themselves as the default when you install an update or open them for the first time. Check the program's settings or preferences menu for an option like "Set as default" and turn it off. On Windows, you can also prevent this by going to Settings > Apps > Default Apps and locking your defaults if that option is available.

What if I want to open a file with a program that is not on my computer?

You need to install the program first. Download it from the developer's website or an app store, complete the installation, and then follow the steps above to set it as the default. After installation, the program should appear in your "Open With" menu.

Can I change defaults for file types I have never seen before?

Yes, on Windows through Settings > Apps > Default Apps. You can search for any file extension (like .webp or .heic) and set a default even if you do not have a file of that type on your computer yet. On Mac, you need at least one file of that type to change its default through Get Info.