When you open a file on your computer, it opens in the app set as the default program- a text file will open in notepad while the music will play in Windows Media Player. However, you may want to set a different app as default instead of what Microsoft wants you to use. Thankfully, it’s quite easy and can be done within a few taps. Here are three ways you can set or change default apps in Windows 11.

Related | How to View and Control Battery Usage by Apps on Windows 11

Windows 11 brings in a new interface and features over the predecessor. The settings app, too, has changed, which means setting default apps is slightly different than Windows 10.

You can set the app of your choice as default on Windows 11 using various methods. It can be done either from settings or file explorer. You can also set what an app can open by default on a per-app basis. All the methods are explained below.

If the app of your choice is unavailable in the menu, click on Look for another app on this PC and select the .exe file of the app from your computer’s storage. You’ll usually find it in C:\Program Files.

A particular file type can have different formats. For instance, the MPEG has different formats like MPEG1, MPEG2, MPEG3, and MPEG4. You can set different default apps for each file type version, say VLC Media Player for MPEG4 and GOM Player for MPEG2.

Similarly, you can set apps to open certain links or protocols by default. For instance, you can set ask Windows to open the IM (instant messaging) protocol with the Zoom app, HTTP with Chrome, DAAP with iTunes, etc., as follows:

The other option is to set the default apps for files from the File Explorer. You can do it in two ways- either through the context menu or file properties, detailed below.

If you can’t find the checkbox, click on More apps in the list. Also, if the app of your choice is unavailable in the menu, use the Look for another app on this PC option.

Alternatively, you can change the default app for any file type by going to the file properties. The steps are given below.

You can also see and change what the apps on your computer can open by default on a per-app basis. For instance, you can directly see all files or links Chrome can open and what program is currently designated to open those files in one place.

You can use this method to change the default browser. Here’s more on how you can change the default browser on Windows 11.

These were some easy ways you can set or change the default apps in Windows 11. I hope this helps you use the app of your choice for opening certain file types or links. If you have any related doubts or queries, please let me know in the comments below. Stay tuned for more such tips, tricks, and how-tos.

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