You can replace any of the Windows default apps with your favorite choices if you’re not happy with them. On Windows 10, this procedure was quite straightforward, but Microsoft has made it a little more challenging for Windows 11 users. We will go into great detail on how to modify Windows 11’s default apps in this post. If the default apps don’t work, try one of the troubleshooting techniques we covered later in this tutorial.
How To Change Windows 11’s Default Applications?
Method 1: Choose the “Open With” menu item
One of the more simple ways to change the default applications is through the context menu. Here are the steps:
Step 1: Right-click the desired file.
Step 2: Select “Open With” from the context menu and then click on Choose Another App.
Step 3: Choose the app you want to make the default option in the dialog box.
Note: If the app you want to set as default is not available in the list then, select ‘Look for another app on this PC’ and then select the app from its installation folder
Step 4: Next, click on the “Always use this app to open files” option and then click on the OK button.
The default app has now been changed to an app of your choice.
Method 2: Use The Settings App
You can open the Default Applications menu and select your chosen app from there. Here is how to do that:
Step 1: To access the Windows Settings, press the Win + I keys simultaneously.
Step 2: On the left pane, select Apps.
Step 3: Select Default Apps.
Step 4: Choose the app you wish to make default. All the file and link types the app is registered with should now be visible.
Step 5: You would need to click each file type and select the correct application from the following window if you wanted to set one program as the default for all of its registered file types and links.
By doing this, the app should become the default choice for the chosen file and link types.
Method 3: Modify File Properties
You can also alter the targeted file’s ‘file properties’ to make a different default application open it. Follow these steps to proceed:
Step 1: Select Properties from the menu bar when performing a right-click on the desired file.
Step 2: Go to the General tab and select the Change button next to “Opens With”.
Step 3: Choose the desired app now, then click OK.
What Should You Do If Windows 11 Doesn’t Let You Change the Default Apps?
Process 1: Update Windows 11
You might be having issues as a result of incompatibilities if you’re using an old version of Windows. In this instance, Windows 11 must be updated to the most recent version. Here’s how to go about it:
Step 1: To access Windows Settings, press the Win + I keys simultaneously.
Step 2: On the left pane, select Windows Update.
Step 3: Click the Check for Updates button that is located on the right side now.
Step 4: By selecting the Download & Install button, install each of the pending updates one at a time, and then reboot your computer.
Process 2: Reset the Specific App
You can reset the program to fix the issue if it is with the app that you are trying to change. To continue, adhere to these steps:
Step 1: To access Windows Search, press Win + S simultaneously.
Step 2: Choose Run as administrator after typing Powershell.
Step 3: On the User Account Control window, select Yes.
Step 4: Type the command shown below in the Powershell window after typing it. Replace packagename with the name of the program whose default setting you want to apply.
Get-AppxPackage packagename -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage
For example, Use the following command to change the Photos app.
Get-AppxPackage Microsoft.Windows.Photos -AllUsers | Reset-AppxPackage
Note: Check to see whether you can modify the default app after the command has been executed.
The Final Word On How To Fix Issues With Default Apps And Change Them On Windows 11 PC?
The apps that come pre-installed with Windows are surprisingly user-friendly and effective. But, if you find a better choice that works better for your system, you can change the default setting to it. You should have no trouble changing the default programs on your Windows 11 PC using the methods mentioned above. However, be aware that these settings will revert to their default settings if Windows is reinstalled or reset.
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