Windows 11 can only open programs for each file type. For example, if several programs for opening .JPG photos are installed, the default program will open. If you need to open an image in another program, you must manually change the file type association for this program. If you notice that files are opening in other programs you are not using, you can change or reset the default file associations in Windows 11.
Reset File Associations in Windows 11
Step 1: Go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps.
Step 2: Now scroll to the very bottom, and in the “Reset all applications to default” column, click on “Reset”.
If you are using Windows 10 PC, go to Settings > Apps > Default Apps. Under “Reset to Microsoft Recommended Defaults” click on “Reset”.
Alternate Method
File Association Fixer Tool is software to fix file association issues caused by installation errors, viruses, malware, etc.
File Association Fixer Tool goes further than the tool built into Windows. It repairs and resets associations of many types of files: BAT, CAB, CMD, COM, EXE, IMG, INF, INI, ISO, LNK, MSC, MSI, MSP, MSU, REG, SCR and more.
To reset file associations in Windows 11 with File Association Fixer Tool, follow these instructions:
- Download File Association Fixer Tool and run it.
- Click on the type of file to reset. A confirmation message is Fixed! Informs you that the file association has been successfully reset.
- Restart your computer.
- File Association Fixer Tool successfully reset the associations for the selected file types.
