Configure default apps on Windows 10

Generally, Windows 10 has pre-configured default apps to open certain file types, for instance, Microsoft Edge for web browser, Music app for mp3, etc. However, you may have other favorite programs that you want to use instead of these default programs. For example, VLC media player to open MP3 and video files, Google Chrome as default web browser, etc.

In this article, I will show how to configure default apps or programs on Windows 10 which has 2 methods as following:

1. Configure by choose a file -> Open with option
2. Configure from Settings -> Default apps menu

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Step-by-step

Configure by choose a file -> Open with option

1. Open File Explorer and browse to a file extension that you want. In this example, I will change default app to open MP3 files to VLC media player.
   1. Right-click on the file.
   2. Select Open with.
   3. Select Choose another app.

   

2. On How do you want to open this file,
   1. Select app/program that you want.
   2. Check the box Always use this app to open files.
   3. Click OK.

   

3. MP3 files are now open with VLC media player as default program.
   

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Configure from Settings -> Default apps menu

1. On Windows 10 desktop, click on Windows icon at bottom left and select Settings.
2. On Settings, click System.
   
3. Click Default apps on the left menu. And here you can change default apps on this right window.
   
4. If you want to configure default app by specific file type, scroll down and click Choose default apps by file type.
   
5. Scroll to file extension and select default app/program that you want. In this example, I change default app for open MKV file type to VLC media player.
   
6. If you want to clear all default apps that you’ve manually configured, go back to Default apps page and click Reset.
   

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