How to Set Your Default Programs in Windows 7

By Florina Muntenescu on 04/23/2010

With this article we are going to start a small series on choosing the programs that Windows 7 uses as defaults for different kind of tasks. In this episode I will show you how to set the default programs for your user account. This includes opening the list of default programs, setting how to open all file types or protocols a program can handle and how to choose from the program's list of capabilities, the specific file extensions or protocols that you want to be opened by it.

Where to Find the Set Default Programs Panel

There are two ways of finding the Set Default Programs panel. The first is to open Control Panel and choose Programs, and from there to click on Default Programs.

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Click on Set your default programs in the Default programs control panel.

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The second option is to use the search box of the Start Menu, type the word 'default' and choose Default Programs. From here, like above, click on 'Set your default programs'.

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NOTE: all the settings you will make will be applied only to your user account. The changes done in this window will not apply to other user accounts.

How to Set Default Programs

In the 'Set Default Programs' window you will see a list of all available programs that you can set as default, meaning that you can set a program to handle all the file types and protocols that it can open or you can choose specifically which of these to handle. As you might notice, these are only some of the installed programs on your computer and you cannot add others to this list. To see more information about a specific program, choose it from the list by clicking it.

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Let's take for example Internet Explorer - when you click it in the programs' list you can see its name, the software manufacturer name, a link to its website and some details on the program. Under the description box you can see a note that states for how many of the total list of file types and protocols is Internet Explorer set as default.

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If you want to set a program as default for all file types and protocols it can open, click the 'Set this program as default' button.

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To pick the exact file types and protocols that you want to be opened by your selected program, click the 'Choose defaults for this program' button.

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In the Set Program Association window you can see the list of all the file types and protocols that can be opened by default with your selected program. Click the check box for the extensions or protocols that you want to add or remove. Click Select all if you want to mark all the possible file types and protocols.

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If you want to set for some extensions other programs than ones listed in the 'Set default programs' list you will have to do it manually from 'Associate a file type or a protocol to a program' option in the Default programs window. Fore more information on how to do that stay tuned to our website.

Conclusion

In this article I have showed you how set a program as default for all or for some file types and protocols that it can open by default. We'll come back soon for details on how to associate a file type or a protocol to a program, how to set program access and computer defaults or how to change AutoPlay settings. Until then, check out our articles recommended below.

How to Set Program Access and Computer Defaults
How to Associate a File Type or Protocol to a Program
How to Customize the AutoPlay Settings

Discover more:

Comments

by KIRK on 05/21/2010 - 14:55

Hi; I am trying to figure out how to get other programs to show up in the list of programs shown above. You write "As you might notice, these are only some of the installed programs on your computer and you cannot add others to this list." Are you sure about this? Why do some programs show up and not others. My computer shows POWER DVD but not Nero, it shows MS Paint but not Corel Photo or Adobe Photoshop. It shows itunes but not Realplayer. What the heck is going on here?!?

THANKS!

by Ciprian Adrian Rusen on 05/21/2010 - 17:55

In order for an application to be on the list it needs to register itself in the right way so that Windows 7 shows it there. If it doesn't, then just use the instructions from this tutorial:

How to Associate a File Type or Protocol to a Program.

And I know it's frustrating. It's just a matter of Microsoft designing things in a way which is ignored by software developers. Most of them don't care if their apps are shown in the Default Programs list because you can associate them by using the tutorial I recommended you above.

by Mike Christy on 10/30/2010 - 09:31

I keep using Windows DVD Maker trying to burn movies on my computer to DVD. Unforturnately, you don't seem to have any audio controls for doing this because some of my DVD's (When played on my TV) have very low voice sound and VERY LOUD sound effects and music. So much so that I have to keep playing with the remote to higher it so I can hear the talking and lowering it whenever dramatic music is played or a blast or loud noise happens. Can this be fixed at all???? You have an equalizer that comes only with the windows Media Player, but only for listening to movies on the computer. Otherwise it doesn't work any other way. Any suggestions?

by Nicola on 07/24/2012 - 09:27

Hi, I am trying to set my default email program to Microsoft Outlook rather than the "Use my current email" option. Every time i change it and save and close the Default screen, it reverts back to the "Use my current email" option. How can i make this remain on Microsoft Outlook please?

by johnny on 10/29/2012 - 16:19

When I go to the set default program, I want a default mail...got no choices in the list for mail.

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