A file opens in the wrong app, or won't open at all
Windows opens each type of file with one chosen app. If that choice is wrong, every file of that type opens in the wrong place — and the choice can be changed for one file or for the whole file type.
Does this sound familiar?
- My files keep opening in a program I don't want
- Windows asks how I want to open this file every time
- Double-clicking a file opens the wrong app
- Windows says it can't open this file
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Method for this problem
Change the app that opens a file type in Windows
Windows opens each file type with one chosen app. If a file opens in the wrong app, you can change the choice just for that file (Open with), or for every file of that type (Default apps in Settings).
Source: Official documentationTesting: Not team-testedReports: none reviewed yet
Reviewed 9 Nov 2026
Applies to: Windows 11 computers; Windows 10 computers (the Default apps screens look slightly different)