Each file on your computer has a default application that it automatically opens with. Sometimes, you may want to change the default program to make it easier to open your files. This is especially important for our eBooks, which must be opened with Adobe Acrobat Reader DC. For assistance installing Adobe Acrobat Reader DC, refer to Adobe Reader Installation and Setup.
NOTE If you'd like to change your default browser, please see How to Change Your Default Browser for assistance.
- Start by locating the file you want to change the default program for.
- Next, right-click the file and choose Properties.
- To the right of the Opens with section is the current default program, as well as a button to change the default application; click Change.
- From the Open with dialog box, there may be a few Recommended Programs. Under Other Programs is a drop-down menu with other suggestions for that specific file type.
- Once you choose the new default program, click OK.
- Start by locating the file you want to change the default program for.
- Next, right-click the file and choose Properties.
- To the right of the Opens with section is the current default program, as well as a button to change the default application; click Change.
- From the dialog box that says How do you want to open this type of file (.***)?, there may be several relevant programs listed.
- Once you choose the new default program, click OK.
- Start by locating the file you want to change the default program for.
- Next, right-click the file and choose Properties.
- To the right of the Opens with section is the current default program, as well as a button to change the default application; click Change.
- From the dialog box that says How you want to open .*** files from now on?, there will be sections for Keep using this app, Featured in Windows 10, and Other options.
- Once you choose the new default program, click OK in both the current window as well as the properties window.
By selecting OK, you will apply this change to all similar file types on your computer!
NOTE For Windows 10, follow the following steps for the alternative method to change default program:
- Click the Magnifying Glass/Search icon in the lower left-hand corner of your screen.
- Type Default app settings.
- Under the Best match, select Default app settings.
- Scroll-down on the Default app window and click the Choose default apps by file type link.
- Under the Name column on the left, search for the file type (e.g., ".pdf" or ".docx") that you would like to change the default program for.
- Once you found the file type, there will either be a program to the right of it or it will say Choose a default (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Reader DC for “.pdf” or Word for “.docx”) from the list of apps. If you do not have a program that will open that particular file type, you will only see the option to look for an app in the store.
- Once done, click the "X" or Close button on the upper right-hand corner of the window.
- Start by locating the file that you want to change the default program for.
- Next, right click on the file and select Open With.
- To the right of theOpens with section is the current default program, as well as a button to change the default application; click Choose Another app.
- From the dialog box that says How you want to open .*** files from now on?, there will be sections for Keep using this app, and Other options. Choose your preferred default program for that file type, and then click OK. If you’d like to set your selected program as the default for the future, check the Always use this app to open [file type] files.
Changing the default application on a Mac is a simple process!
- Start by locating the file you want to change the default program for.
- Next, right-click or control-click the file and choose Get Info.
- Locate the Open with section and select the program that is currently set to the default.
- From the drop-down menu, select the application you want to open the file with and click Change All.
By selecting Change All, you will apply this change to all similar file types on your Mac!
