How to change default apps in Windows 10

By Luke Filipowicz
last updated

Choose which programs Windows 10 will use for certain tasks.

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Best 5.1 speakers for PC gaming (Image credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft has built-in apps in Windows 10 to handle just about every file you want to open or task wish to complete, but most people have their personal preferences when it comes to accomplishing specific things. For example, you may not want to use Groove Music as your music player, but rather Winamp to open all your music files. Or you have Photoshop and don't want to waste any time in the Photos app. In Windows 10 setting your default choice for opening files easy enough to do — here's how.

How to change default apps in Windows 10

  1. Click on the Start menu. It's the Windows logo in the bottom left of your screen.
  2. Click on Settings.

  1. Click on System.
  2. Click on Default apps.

  1. Click on the app you want to change under the category of your choosing. You have some options for categories:
  2. Click on the app you want to make the default.

How to reset all default apps in Windows 10

If you have changed your default apps too many times and just want to restart from scratch, you can easily reset all the default apps to the Windows 10 built-in ones.

  1. Click on the start menu. It's the Windows logo in the bottom left of your screen.
  2. Click on settings.

  1. Click on System.
  2. Click on Default apps.

  1. Scroll down to the bottom of the menu.
  2. Click on the reset button.

After clicking the reset button, all selection will revert to their original default system apps. Music will open in Groove, images in Photos, web links in Edge, and so on. From there you can go back in and (re)customize your options.

Luke Filipowicz
Luke Filipowicz
19 Comments
  • How do you make this zoomed in effect on your screenshot?
  • Just make a round cut on the desired region and then scale up the selection to make it bigger
  • Which application..?
  • uninstall winX
  • I was able to do it as a small rectangle or square with the Magnifying Glass mini app from Windows itself!
  • Has anyone tried been requested by Outlook or perhaps another program what browser they want to open a link with? I've changed my default to Chrome and still get prompted with every opened link what browser I want to use. It highlights Chrome by default and I even check the box to use Chrome for all links of that type, but it still prompts me every single time.
  • Im more interested in how you make the zoom effect than the tutorial itself..hahaha
  • Yeah bro. Me too xD
  • The zoom effect is simple, make a round cut on the desired region and then scale up the selection to make it bigger, at least i'd do it this way
  • OMG, I didn't know how to change the default app. Thanks WC
  • Now, if they brought that feature back in Mobile I would be a happy guy, especially for Maps.
  • I wish there was a way to set up the default you tube app.  And all the default apps thing should be exactly the same in Windows 10 mobile, I hope they add it to the roadmap.
  • I often set the defaults by app rather than by protocol. It tells you how many of its possible protocols the app is set to open.
  • How to stop automatic updates from updating?
  • I just wish we can change default app as well in windows 10 mobile.
  • I wonder if they will eventually allow urls to open in specific applications. Would be nice to automatically open Metrotube when a youtube link is accessed. 
  • I have set Google Chrome as default browser but on opening chrome , edge becomes the default browser.
  • I wish Windows 10 actually listened to these defaults. No matter how I select my defaults, after a period of time (could be hours or days), and the defaults switch back to Microsoft's preferred defaults. smh.
  • I need help, I can't change default apps for .json and .property files.