How to Change Default Apps and Browser in Windows 11 or 10

To change default apps in Windows 11, open Settings > Apps > Default apps. Type a file type like .pdf in the search box, select it, and pick the app you want. Or select an app from the list to see every file type and link type it can open, and change them one by one.

In this guide:

• Change a default by file type
• Change defaults for one app
• Set your default browser
• Change which app opens links
• Change a default from File Explorer
• Common defaults to change
• FAQs

How to change a default app by file type

1. Open Settings and select Apps > Default apps.
2. In the Set a default for a file type or link type search box, type the extension, such as .pdf, .jpg, or .mp4.
3. Select the result that appears.
4. Choose the app you want to use, then select Set default.

Result: Every file with that extension now opens in the app you picked, wherever you open it from.

How to change defaults for one app

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
2. Under Set defaults for applications, select the app, such as VLC or Adobe Acrobat. (VLC is also how to play a DVD on Windows 11, which has no built-in DVD player.)
3. Select a file type or link type in the list.
4. Choose the app you want for that type.

Result: You can see every file type and link type that app can open, and which ones it currently handles.

Browsers are the exception. Select your browser in this list and select Set default at the top to make it handle web links and web files. Microsoft explains both methods in its default apps guide. For more help, see how to change the default browser in Windows 11.

How to Set Your Default Browser

Using Microsoft Edge as the example, Microsoft’s steps are:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps.
2. Under Set defaults for applications, select Microsoft Edge (or your browser).
3. Next to Make Microsoft Edge your default browser, select Set default.

Result: Links you click in other apps, like email or chat, open in that browser.

How to Change Which App Opens Links

Microsoft calls these link types or protocols. They work like file types: type the protocol name into the Set a default for a file type or link type search box, select it, and choose an app.

• MAILTO controls which app opens when you click an email address.
• HTTP and HTTPS control which app opens web links. For browsers, the Set default button above is the simpler route.

Result: Clicking an email address or web link opens the app you chose, not the one Windows picked.

Change a default app from File Explorer

1. Right-click a file in File Explorer and select Open with > Choose another app.
2. Select the app you want.
3. Select Always. Files of that type will now open in that app.

Result: This is the quickest way to change one file type when you already have the file in front of you.

Common default apps to change

• PDF viewer: see how to change the default PDF viewer in Windows 11.
• Photos: search for .jpg and .png and set each one.
• Video player: search for .mp4 and .mkv.
• Email links: search for MAILTO to choose which app opens email links. If you pick Chrome, you can also set Gmail as the default email in Chrome.
• Printer: this isn’t in Default apps. See how to change the default printer.

Set the Default Browser in Windows 10

On the Windows 10 layout with category choices, open Settings > Apps > Default apps, select the current choice under Web browser, and select your installed browser. Confirm any prompt to switch, then open a normal web link from another app to check the result. On a layout that lists applications instead, select the browser and use its Set default control. Microsoft’s browser-default guide describes that application-based route. A PDF association or a browser’s home page is a separate preference; changing either does not set the default web browser.

Frequently asked questions

How do I reset all default apps in Windows 11?

Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, scroll to the bottom, and select Reset next to Reset all default apps.

Why does Windows keep changing my default app?

Some apps ask to become the default when you install or update them. If you accept, they take over. Change it back in Default apps, and decline the prompt next time.

Want to change the app for one specific file type, like .txt or .png? Our guide to changing file associations in Windows 11 walks through it.

Changing your default browser doesn’t change which search engine it uses. See how to change the search engine on Windows 11 for Edge, Chrome and Firefox.