Wrong default app opens your files

🔧Step-by-Step Fixes

Fix 1: Change Default App for One File Type

This is the quickest way to fix a single file type association.

1. Find a file with the extension you want to fix (like a .pdf or .jpg file)
2. Right-click the file and select Open with → Choose another app
3. Select the program you want to use from the list
4. Check the box that says Always use this app to open .xxx files
5. Click OK

If your preferred program isn't in the list:

1. Click More apps to see additional options
2. If it's still not there, click Look for another app on this PC
3. Navigate to the program's .exe file (usually in C:\Program Files or C:\Program Files (x86))
4. Select it and click Open

Fix 2: Change Default Apps in Settings

Windows Settings gives you more control over default programs.

1. Press Windows Key + I to open Settings
2. Go to Apps → Default apps
3. Scroll down and click Choose default apps by file type
4. Scroll to find the file extension you want to change (like .jpg, .pdf, .mp3)
5. Click the current default app next to it
6. Choose your preferred program from the list
7. If it's not listed, click Look for an app in the Microsoft Store or install the program you want first

Alternatively, you can set defaults by program:

1. In Settings → Apps → Default apps, click Choose default apps by protocol
2. Or search for the specific program name in the Default apps search box
3. Click the program and you'll see all file types it can handle
4. Toggle on the ones you want it to open

Fix 3: Reset All File Associations to Windows Defaults

If many file types are opening in the wrong programs, resetting everything to Windows defaults can help.

1. Press Windows Key + I and go to Apps → Default apps
2. Scroll down to Reset
3. Click Reset under "Reset to the Microsoft recommended defaults"
4. This will set all file types back to Windows default apps (Edge for PDFs, Photos for images, etc.)
5. You can then customize individual file types as needed using Fix 1 or 2 above

Fix 4: Fix Stubborn Associations with Registry (Advanced)

Sometimes programs won't appear in the default app list, or selections won't stick. This registry fix can help.

1. Press Windows Key + R, type regedit, and press Enter
2. Click Yes if User Account Control asks
3. Navigate to:
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts
4. Find the extension you want to fix (like .pdf or .jpg)
5. Expand it and look for UserChoice
6. Right-click UserChoice and select Delete
7. Close Registry Editor and try setting the default app again using Fix 1

Warning: Only delete the UserChoice key for the specific extension you're fixing. Don't delete other keys.