Default Programs - Set Your Default Programs in Windows 8

How to Set Your Default Programs in Windows 8 and 8.1​

   Information

A default program is the program that Windows uses automatically when you open a particular type of file.

This tutorial will show you how to set an installed program or "Metro" app as the default for all file types and protocols it can open in Windows 8, Windows RT, Windows 8.1, and Windows RT 8.1.

   Note

These Default Programs association settings are only applied to your user account and will not affect other users on the PC.

OPTION ONE

To Choose Default Programs in Control Panel in Windows 8 and 8.1

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1. Open the Control Panel (icons view), and click/tap on the Default Programs icon.​

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2. Click/tap on the Set your default programs link. (see screenshot below)​

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3. In the left pane, click/tap on a listed program that you want to set it's default associations for, and do step 4 or 5 below. (see screenshot below)​

NOTE: If a program you want to set is not listed, then you can make the program a default by associating a file type or protocol with it instead.​

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4. To Set the Program to Open All File Types and Protocols it can by Default​

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A) On the bottom right side, click/tap on the Set this program as default link, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below step 3)​

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5. To Choose Which File Types and Protocols the Program Opens by Default​

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A) On the bottom right side, click/tap on the Choose defaults for this program link. (see screenshot below step 3)​

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B) Check the file extensions you want this program to be associated to open by default. (see screenshot below)​

NOTE: You will only be able to uncheck the file extenstions that you just checked and were not already checked before doing step 5A.​

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C) When finished, click/tap on the Save button, and go to step 6 below. (see screenshot below)​

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6. Repeat step 3 if you would like to set the defaults for any other listed program.​

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7. When finished, click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 3)​

OPTION TWO

To Choose Default Apps in PC settings in Windows 8.1

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1. Open PC settings, and click/tap on Search & apps on the left side. (see screenshot below)​

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2. Click/tap on Defaults on the left side in "Search & apps", click/tap on the current default app or + Choose a default of what (ex: Web browser) you want to change the default app of, then click/tap on a listed installed app that you want set as it's default. (see screenshot below)​

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3. When finished, you can close PC settings if you like.​

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

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• How to Create a "Default Apps" Shortcut in Windows 8.1
• How to Change Default Program of a File using "Open with" in Windows 8 and 8.1
• Disable "You have new apps that can open this type of file" Notification in Windows 8
• How to Associate a File Type or Protocol with a Program in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Restore Default File Extension Type Associations in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Restore Modern Internet Explorer on Start Screen in Windows 8 and 8.1
• How to Change the Default Program of the "Edit" Context Menu in Windows
• How to Unassociate a File Extension Type in Vista, Windows 7, and Windows 8

 

[znod]

Started with IE as default. Without changing anything, IE would open in Metro mode using start menu. It would open in desktop mode when started from Desktop. Installed Chrome; set it as default. Now am unable to reset IE as default to be able to use IE on start screen in Metro mode. The box I need to uncheck in Internet Options is greyed--allowing no change even after resetting IE as default. Any thoughts? Well, other than I shouldn't have set Chrome to default.

 

[Brink]

Hello znod,

Does it show This program has all it's defaults for Internet Explorer like in the screenshot under step 3?

 

[znod]

Yes, it did. But, I went back and gave it all its defaults every way I could. And, guess what; now it's working. Thanks much for inducing me to be more persistent.

 

[Brink]

That's great news znod. I guess one was hiding from you.

 

[znod]

Thanks again.