How to Change What Program Opens a File
In today’s digital age, we often encounter situations where a file type is associated with the wrong program, leading to inconvenience and frustration. Whether it’s a document, image, or audio file, knowing how to change what program opens a file is a valuable skill. This article will guide you through the process of modifying file associations on both Windows and macOS operating systems.
Changing File Associations on Windows
On Windows, file associations are typically managed through the File Explorer settings. Here’s how you can change what program opens a file:
1. Right-click on the file you want to change the association for.
2. Select “Open with” from the context menu.
3. If the desired program is listed, click on it to select it. If not, click on “Choose another app” to browse for the program you want to use.
4. Check the box that says “Always use this app to open .[file extension]” to make the change permanent.
5. Click “OK” to save your changes.
Changing File Associations on macOS
On macOS, file associations can be modified through the Finder’s preferences. Here’s how to change what program opens a file on a Mac:
1. Open the Finder and click on “Finder” in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
2. Select “Preferences” from the dropdown menu.
3. Click on the “File Types” tab.
4. In the list of file types, find the one you want to change the association for and double-click on it.
5. In the “Open with” section, select the program you want to use to open the file.
6. Click “OK” to save your changes.
Using Default Programs on Windows
If you prefer a more streamlined approach to changing file associations on Windows, you can use the Default Programs feature:
1. Click on the “Start” button and type “Default Programs” in the search box.
2. Click on “Default Programs” from the search results.
3. Select “Set your default programs” from the list of options.
4. In the list of programs, find the one you want to set as the default for the file type you’re interested in.
5. Click on the program and select “Set this program as default” to change the association.
Conclusion
Changing what program opens a file is a simple yet essential task that can greatly improve your computing experience. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily modify file associations on both Windows and macOS. Remember, it’s always a good idea to double-check that the selected program is compatible with the file type to avoid any potential issues.
