How to Change Default Apps in Windows 11: A Step-by-Step Guide

Want PDFs to open in Adobe instead of Edge? Prefer Chrome or Firefox as your browser? Or maybe you want your photos to open in a different viewer. In Windows 11, you can easily choose which app opens which file or link type. This guide walks you through every method—fast fixes, full control, and pro tips—so you can set things up exactly the way you like.

Table of Contents

What Are “Default Apps” (and Why They Matter)?

Default apps are the programs Windows uses automatically to open files and links. For example:

Browser for web links (http/https)
PDF viewer for .pdf
Photo viewer for .jpg/.png/.heic
Music player for .mp3/.wav
Video player for .mp4/.mkv
Mail app for mailto links

Setting them once saves clicks every single day.

The Three Main Ways to Change Defaults (Pick Your Style)

By App — Tell Windows, “use this app for these file and link types.”
By File Type — Map a specific extension (like .pdf) to your chosen app.
By Link Type (Protocol) — Choose which app opens links like http, mailto, webcal, etc.

You can also set defaults on the fly from File Explorer with Open with → Always.

Method 1: Set Defaults by App (The Most Convenient Way)

Open Settings (press Windows + I).
Go to Apps → Default apps.
In the search box, type the app’s name (e.g., Chrome, Firefox, Adobe Acrobat, VLC).
Click the app.
You’ll see a list of file types and protocols that the app can open. Click each one you want to change and select your app.

Pro tip: Many apps show a Make default button here for common types—use it to switch the big stuff quickly (like your default browser).

Method 2: Set Defaults by File Type (Laser-Precise Control)

Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
Scroll down and click Choose defaults by file type.
Find the file extension you want (e.g., .pdf, .jpg, .mp4).
Click the app listed next to it and choose the new app.

Great for: PDFs, image formats, Office files, compressed files, and niche formats (e.g., .flac, .svg, .mkv).

Method 3: Set Defaults by Link Type / Protocol (For Web & Mail)

Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
Click Choose defaults by link type.
Find the protocol (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS, MAILTO, WEBCAL).
Select your preferred app for each.

Common wins:

Set HTTP/HTTPS to your favorite browser.
Set MAILTO to Outlook, Thunderbird, or your preferred mail client.
Set WEBCAL to your calendar app.

Method 4: Use “Open With → Always” from File Explorer (Quick Fix)

Right-click a file (e.g., a .pdf).
Choose Open with → Choose another app.
Select your app and check Always use this app to open .xxx files.
Click OK.

Why it’s handy: You don’t have to dig through Settings; perfect for one-off changes.

Method 5: Set Defaults from Inside the App (One-Click in Many Apps)

Browsers, PDF tools, media players, and mail apps often include a “Make Default” button in their settings.

Open the app’s Settings/Preferences.
Look for Default or Set as default.
Follow the prompt to confirm in Windows Settings if asked.

Change Your Default Browser (Complete Walkthrough)

Install your browser (Chrome, Firefox, Brave, etc.).
Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
Click your browser in the list.
Set it as default for HTTP, HTTPS, .htm, .html, and any other web-related types you see.
If there’s a Make default button, use it to speed things up.

Bonus: In the browser itself (e.g., Chrome → Settings → Default browser), click Make default for an extra nudge.

Change the Default PDF Viewer (Stop Opening in Edge)

Install your preferred viewer (e.g., Adobe Acrobat, SumatraPDF, Foxit).
Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
In the search box, type .pdf (or click Choose defaults by file type and find .pdf).
Select your preferred PDF app.

Tip: Also change PDF-related protocols if listed.

Change Photo, Music, and Video Defaults (All the Media Stuff)

Photos:

Set .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .heic, .webp to your favorite viewer (e.g., Photos, IrfanView, XnView).

Music:

Set .mp3, .aac, .flac, .wav to Groove, Spotify (for supported links), VLC, or your player of choice.

Video:

Set .mp4, .mkv, .avi, .mov to VLC, Films & TV (Media Player), or another app.

How: Use Default apps → Choose defaults by file type to map each extension.

Change Email, Calendar, Maps & Other System Defaults

Mail: Set MAILTO to Outlook, Thunderbird, or another client.
Calendar links: Map WEBCAL to your calendar app.
Maps: If you use a third-party app, assign related protocols if available.
Music/video store links: Map store-related protocols to your preferred app where supported.

Reset Defaults (Start Fresh If Things Got Messy)

Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
Scroll down and click Reset (resets to Microsoft’s recommended defaults).
Reassign only the ones you care about.

When to use: After testing many apps, or if associations feel inconsistent.

Common File Types You Might Want to Reassign

Web: .htm, .html, HTTP, HTTPS
Docs: .pdf, .docx, .xlsx, .pptx, .txt, .md
Images: .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .bmp, .tif, .heic, .webp, .svg
Audio: .mp3, .wav, .aac, .flac, .ogg
Video: .mp4, .mkv, .avi, .mov, .wmv
Compressed: .zip, .rar, .7z
Code/Dev (if applicable): .json, .xml, .py, .html, .css, .js

Troubleshooting: When Default App Changes Don’t “Stick”

The option is greyed out or keeps reverting

You may be on a work/school device with policies enforced by IT. Check with your administrator.

The app you want doesn’t appear

Make sure the app is installed.
Open the app once so Windows registers its capabilities.
Use Open with → Choose another app → More apps to reveal it.

Unknown file type

Some extensions aren’t registered by default. Install an app that supports it or use Open with and choose a capable program.

Apps keep “stealing” defaults

Some apps prompt to become default on launch. Turn off that behavior in the app’s settings, then reassign defaults to your choice.

Multiple similar entries (e.g., two “Photos” apps)

UWP vs classic apps can look alike. Test each entry to confirm the one you want.

Power Tips for Speed & Sanity

Right-click → Open with → Always is the fastest way for one specific file type.
In Default apps, start typing the extension (e.g., .pdf) in the search box to jump straight to it.
For browsers, don’t forget both file types (.htm, .html) and protocols (HTTP, HTTPS).
If you frequently handle niche formats, set them once and you’re done forever.

Advanced (For IT Admins & Tinkerers)

Per-user vs system-wide: Default app choices are per user profile.
Policy control: In managed environments, admins can enforce defaults via Group Policy/MDM and deployed association files.
Deployment: Enterprises can export/import default associations during imaging (outside the scope of a casual setup).

Safety & Privacy Considerations

Choose apps from trusted sources only.
Review app permissions (especially for browsers, PDF tools, and media players).
Keep your default apps updated for security and compatibility.

Quick Examples (Copy These Moves)

Make Chrome the default browser:
Settings → Apps → Default apps → Chrome → Make default (plus assign HTTP/HTTPS if needed).
Open PDFs in Adobe:
Settings → Apps → Default apps → type “.pdf” → choose Adobe Acrobat.
Use VLC for all videos:
Settings → Apps → Default apps → VLC → assign .mp4, .mkv, .avi, .mov, etc.
Make Outlook handle email links:
Settings → Apps → Default apps → Choose defaults by link type → MAILTO → Outlook.

Conclusion

Changing default apps in Windows 11 is straightforward once you know where to look. Use Default apps to set things by app, file type, or link type—and lean on Open with → Always for quick, one-off changes. Whether you’re switching your browser, PDF viewer, or media player, a few clicks can streamline your daily workflow and save you time.

Dial in your defaults today and let Windows 11 work your way.

FAQs

1) Why does Edge still open some links after I changed my browser?
Some system experiences may prefer Edge, but setting HTTP/HTTPS and web file types (.htm/.html) to your browser covers almost everything you’ll click in daily use.

2) Can I have different defaults for different user accounts?
Yes. Defaults are stored per user. Each account can choose its own apps.

3) My preferred app doesn’t appear in the list—what now?
Open the app once, reinstall it if necessary, or use Open with → Choose another app → Always to force the association.

4) How do I undo all my changes?
Go to Settings → Apps → Default apps and hit Reset to restore Microsoft’s recommended defaults, then reassign only what you need.

5) Do I need admin rights to change default apps?
On personal PCs, typically no. On managed work/school devices, policies may block changes—contact your IT admin if options are disabled.