How to Set Default Programs in Windows 8

This updated guide examines How to Set Default Programs in Windows 8 and organizes the essential facts, background, and practical takeaways in clear American English.

Method 1of 4:

Choosing a Default Program in the Control Panel

1. Open the Start screen. Press theWindowskey on your keyboard to open the Start screen.^[1]
   • If you're using a touch screen, swipe in from the right edge of the screen to open the Charms menu, and then touch Start.
2. Find the Default Programs utility. On the Start screen, in the Search field, typedefault program, and then pressEnter.
3. In the search results, touchDefault Programsto open it.
4. Find a program you'd like to use as a default. In the Set Default Programs window, in the Programs sidebar, find a program you'd like to set as a default, and then click or touch the program to select it.
5. Click or touchSet this program as default. This makes the selected program the default program for all of the file types the program can open.^[2][3]
   • Click here for steps on choosing specific file types for a default program.

Method 2of 4:

Setting a Default Program by File Type

1. Open the Start screen. Press theWindowskey on your keyboard to open the Start screen.
   • If you're using a touch screen, swipe in from the right edge of the screen to open the Charms menu, and then touch Start.
2. Find the Set Associations utility. On the Start screen, in the Search field, typefile associations, and then pressEnter.
3. In the search results, touchMake a file type always open in a specific program.
4. Find a file type. In the Set Associations window, find the file extension for the file type you'd like to change the default program. Click or touch to select it.
   • In the Current Default column, you can see what program is currently set as the default program for that file type.
5. ClickChange program.
6. Choose a new default program. If you don't see the program you'd like to use, click More options to programs. When you're done, clickOK.

Method 3of 4:

Setting a Default Program in the File Context Menu

1. Open the Start screen. Press theWindowskey on your keyboard to open the Start screen.
   • If you're using a touch screen, swipe in from the right edge of the screen to open the Charms menu, and then touch Start.
2. Open File Explorer. On the Start screen, in the Search field, typefile explorer, and then pressEnter. Click or touchFile Explorerto open it.
3. In File Explorer, find a file or file type that you'd like to change the default program.
4. Right-click the file icon, and then clickProperties.
   • If you're using a touch screen, press and hold the file icon until the context menu opens.
5. Click or touchOpen with, and then click or touchChoose default program.
6. Choose a new default program. If you don't see the program you'd like to use, click More options to programs. When you're done, clickOK.
   • If you'd like to change the default for this specific file, but not other files of this type, uncheck theUse this app for allcheck box.

Method 4of 4:

Choosing Specific File Types for Default Programs

1. Open the Start screen. Press theWindowskey on your keyboard to open the Start screen.
   • If you're using a touch screen, swipe in from the right edge of the screen to open the Charms menu, and then touch Start.
2. Find the Default Programs utility. On the Start screen, in the Search field, typedefault program, and then pressEnter.
3. In the search results, touchDefault Programsto open it.
4. Find a program you'd like to use as a default. In the Set Default Programs window, in the Programs sidebar, find a program you'd like to set as a default, and then click or touch the program to select it.
5. Click or touchChoose defaults for this program.
6. Choose specific file types for the program. In the Set Program Associations window, find the file types you'd like to open with this program, and check the boxes for those file types. Click or touch Save.