How to change the default apps in Windows

Files and web links can open in several applications, even when they share the same format. In Windows 11, changing the default app controls which installed program opens a particular file type or link.

Windows stores separate associations for file extensions, such as .jpg and .jpeg, and link types, such as mailto. The Default apps page in Settings exposes these choices, so changing one extension does not assign every related format to the same app.

An association changes how a file opens without converting its format or moving it. The application must already be installed and able to open that file type.

1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
2. Enter Default apps in Find a setting.
3. Select Default apps from the search results.
4. Enter the extension to change in the Default apps file-type search field.

   The extension includes its leading dot, such as .jpg for JPG images.

5. Select the matching file type from the results.
6. Select the current default application beneath the search field.
7. Choose the application to use for that file type.

   Paint is an option for JPG images; the available choices depend on the installed applications.

8. Select Set default to save the association.
9. Open a file with that extension from File Explorer.
10. Confirm that the file opens in the selected application.