When you set something as default, you're telling your device to use that program automatically whenever you open a certain type of file or link
A default is a standing instruction. When you set an app as default for PDFs, for example, your device remembers that choice. The next time you click a PDF file, your device opens it in that app without asking you first. Without a default, your device either asks you which program to use every single time, or it picks one at random.
Defaults exist because most people use the same program repeatedly for the same task. Setting a default saves you from making the same choice hundreds of times. It also prevents your device from switching programs on you unexpectedly.
Key Takeaways
- A default is a standing instruction that tells your device which program to use automatically for a specific file type or link.
- Once you set a default, your device uses that program every time you open that type of file, without asking you again.
- You can change a default at any time by going into your device settings and picking a different program.
- Different file types can have different defaults — you might use one program for PDFs and a completely different one for images.
How defaults work on Windows
On Windows, you set defaults through the Settings app. Go to Settings, then Apps, then Default Apps. You'll see a list of file types and link types — things like .pdf files, .jpg images, and http:// web links. Next to each one is the program currently set as default.
To change a default, click on the file type or link type you want to change. A menu appears showing you all the programs on your device that can open that type of file. Click the one you want to use going forward. Windows remembers your choice and uses that program from then on.
You can also set defaults by right-clicking a file, selecting "Open with," then choosing a program and checking the box that says "Always use this app to open [file type]." This does the same thing as changing it in Settings, just from a different starting point.
How defaults work on Mac
On Mac, you set defaults through System Settings. Open System Settings, go to General, then Default Apps. You'll see categories like Web Browser, Mail, Maps, and Calendar. Click any category to see which programs are available for that role.
You can also set a default for a specific file type. Right-click any file, select "Open With," then hold down the Option key while you click the program you want to use. A menu appears asking if you want to change the default for all files of that type. Click "Change All" and you're done.
Mac also lets you set defaults for individual file types through the Finder. Select a file of the type you want to change, press Command+I to open the info window, find "Open With," and pick your program from the dropdown menu.
What happens when you don't set a default
If you don't set a default, your device asks you which program to use every time you open that type of file. A dialog box appears with a list of programs that can open it. You pick one and the file opens. The next time you open a different file of the same type, the dialog appears again.
This can be annoying if you open the same type of file dozens of times a day. It's also why some people end up with the wrong program opening their files — they might accidentally click the wrong option in the dialog, or their device might have picked a program they didn't choose.
On older versions of Windows, if no default was set, the device would sometimes pick a program on its own, which could be surprising. Newer versions of Windows are more likely to ask you first.
When you might want multiple defaults for the same file type
Sometimes you want different programs to open the same file type depending on what you're doing. For example, you might want PDFs to open in a quick viewer most of the time, but in a full editor when you need to make changes. The default system doesn't handle this directly — you can only set one default per file type.
The workaround is to change your default when you need to switch. Open Settings or System Settings, pick the file type, and select a different program. It takes 10 seconds. Alternatively, you can right-click a specific file and choose "Open With" to pick a different program just for that one file, without changing the default.
Some programs also let you set their own internal defaults. For example, if you have multiple web browsers installed, you can set one as your system default, but also tell that browser to open certain types of links in a different browser. This is less common but useful if you work with specialized file types.
Changing a default you set by mistake
If you set a default and now regret it, you can change it immediately. Go back to Settings (Windows) or System Settings (Mac), find the file type or link type, and pick a different program. Your device uses the new default from that moment forward. The old program doesn't open anything unless you specifically choose it.
You can also reset defaults to what your device came with. On Windows, go to Settings, Apps, Default Apps, and scroll down to "Reset to Microsoft recommended defaults." On Mac, there's no single reset button, but you can change each default individually back to what you want.
If you're not sure which program you want to use, try opening a file with different programs first. Right-click the file, select "Open With," and try a few options. Once you find the one you like, go to Settings and set it as default.
Why your device might ignore your default
Sometimes you set a default and your device still opens files in a different program. This usually happens for one of three reasons: the program you set as default was uninstalled, your device updated and reset some defaults, or a program you installed changed your defaults without asking.
Some programs, especially web browsers and email clients, automatically set themselves as default when you install them. If you install a new browser, it might set itself as your default web browser even though you didn't ask it to. Check your defaults after installing new programs if this bothers you.
If a program you set as default gets uninstalled, your device picks a different program automatically. You'll need to set a new default if you want to control which one it uses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I set different defaults for different file types?
Yes. You can set one program as default for PDFs, a different one for images, and a third for spreadsheets. Each file type has its own default setting. Go to your device's default apps settings and change each type separately.
Does setting a default affect files I already have?
No. Setting a default only affects files you open going forward. Files you already opened in a different program stay associated with that program. The default only applies to new choices you make.
What if I want to open a file in a different program just this once?
Right-click the file and select "Open With" (Windows) or "Open With" (Mac). Pick the program you want to use for just that file. This doesn't change your default — the next file of the same type still opens in your default program.
Can I set a default for web links?
Yes. On Windows, go to Settings, Apps, Default Apps, and look for "http" and "https" links. On Mac, go to System Settings, General, Default Apps, and select Web Browser. Pick which browser you want to use for links.
Why did my default change without me doing anything?
A program you installed may have changed it automatically, or your device may have updated and reset some defaults. Check your defaults after installing new programs or after a major system update. You can change them back anytime.