How to Change Default Apps in Windows 11

When you install a new application on Windows 11, it does not always become the default for opening related files. You might install a new photo editor, but Windows still opens images in the Photos app. You might prefer Firefox or Chrome, but links still open in Microsoft Edge.

Windows 11 lets you change the default app for virtually any file type, link type, or protocol. This guide shows you how to change your default web browser, email client, music player, photo viewer, PDF reader, and more.

Change Default Apps from Settings

The main way to change default apps in Windows 11 is through the Settings app:

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Apps → Default apps.
3. You will see a list of installed applications. Click on the app you want to set as the default.
4. You will see a list of file types and link types that app can handle.
5. Click on any file type to change which app opens it.
6. Select the app you want to use and click Set default.

For example, if you want VLC Media Player to open all video files, click on VLC in the app list, then set it as the default for .mp4, .avi, .mkv, and other video file types.

Change the Default Web Browser

Changing the default web browser in Windows 11 has been simplified in recent updates:

1. Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
2. Search for or scroll to your preferred browser (for example, Google Chrome or Firefox).
3. Click on the browser name.
4. At the top of the page, you should see a Set default button. Click it.
5. This sets the browser as the default for HTTP links, HTTPS links, .html files, and .htm files in one step.

If the “Set default” button at the top is not available (older Windows 11 versions), you will need to click each link type (HTTP, HTTPS, .html, .htm) individually and set your preferred browser for each one.

Change the Default Email App

1. Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
2. Search for your preferred email client (for example, Outlook, Thunderbird, or Gmail via Chrome).
3. Click on the app and set it as the default for the MAILTO protocol.

After this change, clicking email links on websites will open your preferred email application instead of the Windows Mail app.

Change the Default PDF Reader

1. Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
2. Search for your preferred PDF reader (for example, Adobe Acrobat Reader or Foxit Reader).
3. Click on the app and set it as the default for .pdf files.

Alternatively, you can search by file type: scroll down on the Default apps page and click Choose defaults by file type. Search for .pdf and select your preferred application.

Change the Default Photo Viewer

1. Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
2. Click on your preferred image viewer.
3. Set it as the default for common image formats: .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .gif, .bmp, and .webp.

You may need to set each file extension individually, as different image formats can have different default apps.

Change the Default Music and Video Player

1. Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
2. Click on your preferred media player (for example, VLC).
3. Set it as the default for common audio formats: .mp3, .flac, .wav, .aac, .ogg.
4. Set it as the default for common video formats: .mp4, .mkv, .avi, .mov, .wmv.

Change Default Apps by File Type

If you want to change the default app for a specific file type and you are not sure which app currently handles it:

1. Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
2. Scroll to the bottom and click Choose defaults by file type.
3. Search for the file extension (for example, .docx, .xlsx, .zip, or .csv).
4. Click the current default app and choose a different one.

This is the most precise method and works for any file type, including less common ones.

Change the Default App from File Explorer

You can also change the default app directly from a file:

1. Find a file of the type you want to change (for example, a .jpg image).
2. Right-click the file.
3. Click Open with → Choose another app.
4. Select the app you want to use.
5. Tick Always use this app to open [file type] files.
6. Click OK.

This method is quick and convenient because you do not need to navigate through Settings.

Change Default Apps by Link Type

Some defaults are not based on file types but on link types (protocols). For example:

• HTTP/HTTPS — Web links.
• MAILTO — Email links.
• TEL — Phone number links.
• MAPS — Map and location links.

To change these:

1. Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
2. Scroll to the bottom and click Choose defaults by link type.
3. Click the protocol you want to change and select your preferred app.

Reset All Default Apps

If you have made too many changes and want to start fresh:

1. Open Settings → Apps → Default apps.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page.
3. Click Reset next to “Reset all default apps”.

This resets all file type and protocol associations to the Windows 11 defaults (Microsoft Edge for web browsing, Photos for images, and so on). You will need to set your preferred defaults again afterwards.

Common Default App Changes at a Glance

Purpose	File Types / Protocols	Common Alternatives
Web browser	HTTP, HTTPS, .html, .htm	Chrome, Firefox, Brave
Email	MAILTO	Outlook, Thunderbird, Gmail
PDF reader	.pdf	Adobe Reader, Foxit, SumatraPDF
Photo viewer	.jpg, .png, .gif, .bmp	IrfanView, FastStone, XnView
Music player	.mp3, .flac, .wav	VLC, foobar2000, Winamp
Video player	.mp4, .mkv, .avi	VLC, MPC-HC, PotPlayer
Text editor	.txt, .log, .md	Notepad++, VS Code, Sublime
Archive manager	.zip, .rar, .7z	7-Zip, WinRAR, PeaZip

Taking a few minutes to set your preferred default apps makes your daily Windows experience smoother. Instead of fighting with apps you did not choose, every file opens exactly where you want it.