Windows 7 - Default Programs - Set a Program's Default Associations

   Information

A default program is the program that Windows 7 uses when you open a particular type of file extension. This will show you how to set a program as the default for selected or all file types and protocols it can open.

1. Open the Control Panel (All Items view), and click on the Default Programs icon.

2. Click on the Set your default programs link. (See screenshot below)

3. In the left column, select (highlight) a listed program that you want to change it's default file associations for. (See screenshot below)

4. To Set All of the Default Associations to the Program -
NOTE: This will associate the selected program as the default used by Windows 7 to open all of the file types and protocols that it can open.

A) Click on Set this program as default. (See screenshot below step 3A)

B) Go to step 6.

5. To Manually Set the Default Associations to the Program -
NOTE: This will associate the selected program as the default used by Windows 7 to open the selected file types and protocols by you from the list that the program can open.

A) Click on Choose defaults for this program. (See screenshot below step 3A)

B) Check the file extension associations you want this program to open by default, and uncheck the ones you do not want this program to open. (See screenshots below)
NOTE: These are the default settings for each listed default program.

C) Click on the Save button to apply. (See screenshots above)

6. Click on OK. (See screenshot below step 3A)