Top 9 Ways to Fix Unable to Change Default Programs in Windows 10

The apps offered by Microsoft are great. But not everyone is a fan. This is why people look for alternatives and want to use these alternatives as default apps. Instead of manually opening your file in your favorite app, you can make that app the default. This way, such files will automatically open in your favorite app. Unfortunately, some users cannot change the default programs on their Windows 10 computers. Are you experiencing the same issue? Check out 9 ways to fix it.

Some users do not see the required application in the list of applications. For others, the default app keeps resetting. Whatever the problem is, the fixes mentioned below should fix it.

Let’s move on to the solutions now.

1. Restart the Computer

This may sound like a silly suggestion, but ‘Have you tried turning it off and on?’ If the answer is no, restart your computer once and then try changing the default apps as shown below.

2. Use Correct Methods to Change Default Apps

There are many ways to change default apps or programs in Windows 10. Try them all and see which one is a blessing.

Method 1: From Settings

Open Settings on your computer or use the Windows key + I keyboard shortcut to open Settings. Go to Applications. Click Default apps. Email, Browser, Music player etc which can be set as default here. You will find basic applications such as Click the app (if already set) or click Choose a default to set or change the default app. Select the application you want to use from the window that opens.

Method 2: Change Default Apps by File Type and Protocol

If you cannot find the extension or service you want to change the default app from above apps, scroll down on the same screen i.e. Settings > Apps > Default apps. You will find three options – Select default apps by file type, Select default apps by protocol and Set defaults by app.

note: Apps or extensions may take some time to load when you click on one of the three options above. So wait for it to load.

The first lets you choose default apps for various file extensions. Clicking on it will show all file types (PDF, PNG, HTML, MP3, etc.) available on your PC and the default application used to open such extensions. Click the app next to the file extension to change the default app. Restart the PC.

The next i.e. select apps by protocol, HTTP, HTTPS etc. Allows you to assign a default application to various protocols such as

The last one is a combination of the above two. It shows the applications installed on your computer and lets you decide which protocol or file type the application should use by default.

Click on the application name and press the Manage button. You will be shown various associated extensions and protocols. Change them as needed by clicking on the application name.

Method 3: Change Open With

In this method, you need to find the type of file that needs to be opened with your required application. For example, if you want PDF files to open in Acrobat Reader instead of Chrome browser. Find a PDF file for it. Right click on it and select Open with. A list of applications will be displayed. Click Choose another app even if your required app is shown in the apps list.

Now click on the app you want to use as default for such file types. However, check the box next to ‘Always use this app to open xyz files’. Then click OK. If the required app is not listed, click More apps to reveal more apps.

If the app is still not visible, click More apps then scroll down in the list of apps. You will find Search for another application on this computer. Click on that and manually locate the app from your PC.

Note: Make sure to check the box next to ‘Always use this app to open xyz files’.

Method 4: From Properties

Another way to change the default application for a file type is in properties. Right-click on the file whose default application you want to change. Select Properties from the menu.

Under the General tab, click the Change button next to Opens with. Select the app you want to set as default. Click OK to save the changes.

Pro Tip: If your favorite app is not in the list of default apps, check various ways to fix the problem.

3. Reset to Default

If the problem persists, go to Settings > Apps > Default apps as you did in method 1 above. Scroll down and click the Reset button. This will reset the default apps shown on that screen to Microsoft apps. Restart your PC. When this happens, change the default apps according to your preference.

4. Uninstall the App

If you cannot find the app that should be set as default or it is not set as default using any of the above methods, you should uninstall the app. Restart your computer. Then download it again and again.

For example, if you want to use Firefox instead of Chrome as the default browser, uninstall Firefox and download it again. Hopefully, everything will go well.

5. Choose Different App

This is a sweet workaround to fix things. Basically, choose a different app by default rather than the app you actually want to use. Once this is set, replace the default application with the required one after restarting your computer. For example, if you plan to use Firefox instead of Chrome as the default browser, choose Microsoft Edge first. Then switch to Firefox.

6. Search for Default Setting Inside the App

Some apps come with a native setting to make the program the default. So look inside your app settings. You can find a button to make it the default app. Activate or click on it.

7. Check Recently Installed App

Have you recently installed any app for the same file type whose default app you want to change? If yes, uninstall that app or check its settings to remove it as the default app. Restart the computer.

Pro Tip: You should also check for third-party apps that have recently connected with OneDrive in Windows 10. If you’re not using OneDrive, try disabling it as well.

8. Switch to Microsoft Account

Previously, you didn’t need to link a Microsoft account to Windows 10 PC. Some strange issues can occur if the Microsoft account is no longer linked. So, switch to Microsoft account instead of using a local account. For this, follow these steps:

Stage 1: Open Settings on your computer. Go to Accounts.

Step 2: To the right of the Your info setting, you’ll see ‘Sign in with a Microsoft account instead’. Click that and add your Microsoft account details. Alternatively, if you don’t see this option, click Email & accounts from the left sidebar. Then, under Accounts used by other apps, click Add a Microsoft account. Add your details. Restart the computer.

Note: After adding a Microsoft account, use the same account details to log in to Windows.

9. Remove Microsoft Account

If a Microsoft account has already been added, you must remove it and then add it again. or use a different Microsoft account. This is because sometimes the password of the account has been changed or there is some other problem with the password. That’s why you can’t change the default apps.

To remove the account, go to Settings > Accounts > Email & accounts. Click on your Microsoft account under ‘Accounts used by other apps’. If you see Uninstall, click on it. Otherwise, click Manage. You will be redirected to your account settings. Go to Devices and remove your connected computer. Restart the PC. To add the account again, follow the steps outlined in the method above.

Fly: Your files will not be affected by the removal or addition of the Microsoft account.

update windows

Most of the time, such problems are caused by a bug in the operating system itself. Check for an update for your Windows 10 computer by going to Settings > Update & security. Click on Check for updates. Install the update if available. Restart the computer. Hopefully, you should be able to change the default apps.

Next: Have less free storage space on your computer? Find out what the Storage feel is in Windows 10 and how to use it to increase space in the next link.