When you open files that have a particular file extension, Windows will look at its configuration to determine what the default program should be in order to work with these files. The default program ...

When you double-click on a file in Windows 8, Windows will automatically open that file using a program that has been associated with that file's extension. There may come a time, though, that you ...

Microsoft uses file associations to set default programs for opening different file types on all its operating systems. As a result, when you open a file, be it text, image, or document, on your ...

Sarah is a freelance writer and CNET How To blogger. Her main focus is Windows, but she also covers everything from mobile tech to video games to DIY hardware projects. She likes to press buttons and ...

Often when you install a new application, it asks you to make it the default program for certain file types. If you're too quick with the "Enter" key during installation, you might inadvertently grant ...

Nearly every computer these days comes with a PDF viewer, a program that allows you to read, print, and sometimes edit a PDF file. In the newest versions of Windows 10, the default PDF viewer is ...

David Nield is a technology journalist from Manchester in the U.K. who has been writing about gadgets and apps for more than 20 years. He has a bachelor's degree in English Literature from Durham ...

What steps do I need to take to change the default action on Windows XP and Windows 7 when someone tries to open a CHM file? I want the file extension to be associated with notepad.exe for ALL users.

If you want to set portable apps as default apps on Windows 11/10, you need to register them first. PORTABLE Registrator is one of the best apps that helps you register portable apps on Windows 11 and ...

All your PDF files open in Adobe Reader, but you want them to open in Preview. All your JPEG files open in Preview when you’d rather they open in Photoshop. How do you change what Mac OS X uses as the ...

There are two methods in Windows 11/10 to set or change default programs. One is the classic Control Panel method and the other is easier – via the new Settings app. We will discuss the Settings app ...

Windows only: Tiny, portable utility Default Programs Editor makes short work of changing file associations, autoplay settings, and can even change the icon associated with a file type. Once you've ...