How to Change the Default File Type Associations in Windows 11/10?

Windows 11/10 can only automatically open a program for a specific file extension, thus, if you prefer to work with your PNG files in Photoshop rather than Photos, you will need to change the default file type association for PNG files. In the following, I will describe what is a file type association and how to change the default file type association in Windows 11/10.

Part 1: What is File Type Association?

A file type association is the creation of a dependency between a type of file and a program that can open it. A file can be associated with more than one application. The association can be selected using the file's "open method". For example, if we double-click on a .xls file, it will automatically open the Excel software installed on the computer; if we double-click on a .doc file, it will automatically open the Word software installed on the computer.

Part 2: How to change the default file type association in Windows 11/10?

Solution 1: Through the system settings

Step 1: Use WIN+I to open "settings" → click on "apps" →and click on "Default apps".

Step 2: Scroll down to find and click "Choose default apps by file type".

Step 3: Find the file extension of the program you want to change from the default. In the "Choose an app" pop-up window, select a new program to associate with the file extension.

Step 4: If there isn't one listed that you want to use, try "Look for an app in the Microsoft Store".

Solution 2: Through file properties

Step 1: Find the file you want to change the default program to. Right-click on your file and click on "Properties".

Step 2: In the pop-up window, and in the "General" tab, click on "Change".

Step 3: Select an application from "Other options", or click on "Look for an app in the Microsoft Store", or click on "More apps". Click "OK" to complete the changes.

Step 4: You can also click "Look for another app on this PC" and browse to your program .exe file. Click "OK" to complete the change.

Solution 3: Through the "open with" option

You can right-click the file that you want to change the file type associations from the file explorer. Find the option "open with", and then select the apps that you want to change. You can also search for the app you want from the Microsoft Store, or click on "choose another app" that you would like.

Solution 4: Through command prompt

Step 1: Search for the command prompt in the start menu bar and click on run as administrator.

Step 2: To change the file type association, simply type the following code.

assoc .extension_name=file_type

For instance, if we use the command prompt to associate the .scr file type with Notepad, then we would execute the following code.

assoc .scr=txtfile

Step 3: To revert it to the way it was, we would execute the following code.

Step 4: If you want to see a list of file type associations on your system, just type assoc | more at the command prompt and hit enter.

Conclusion

Using these solutions above, you have complete control over file type associations, ensuring that all files open in the most appropriate program by default. But be careful when installing new programs, as some of them will ask to be the default for a set of file types, which you probably don't want.