How to Change Program that Opens Files
In today’s digital age, the way we interact with files has become an integral part of our daily routines. Whether it’s opening a document, a photo, or a video, the program we choose to open these files can significantly impact our productivity and user experience. If you find yourself unsatisfied with the default program that opens files on your computer, you might be wondering how to change it. This article will guide you through the process of changing the program that opens files on Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.
Changing File Associations on Windows
On Windows, changing the program that opens files is a straightforward process. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Right-click on the file you want to change the association for.
2. Select “Open with” from the context menu.
3. Choose the program you want to use to open the file from the list of available programs. If the program is not listed, click “Choose another app” and navigate to the program’s executable file.
4. Check the box that says “Always use this app to open .[file extension]” to set this program as the default for all files with that extension.
5. Click “OK” to save your changes.
Modifying File Associations on macOS
MacOS users can also easily change the program that opens files by following these steps:
1. Right-click (or Control-click) on the file you want to change the association for.
2. Select “Open with” from the context menu.
3. Choose the program you want to use to open the file from the list of available programs. If the program is not listed, click “Other…” and navigate to the program’s executable file.
4. Click “Open” to confirm your choice.
5. To make this program the default for all files with that extension, go to “System Preferences” > “Files and Folders” > “Open with,” and drag the program to the top of the list.
Changing File Associations on Linux
Linux users have a few different methods to change file associations, depending on the distribution they are using. Here’s a general approach for most Linux distributions:
1. Right-click on the file you want to change the association for.
2. Select “Open with” from the context menu.
3. Choose the program you want to use to open the file from the list of available programs. If the program is not listed, click “Open with other application” and navigate to the program’s executable file.
4. Check the box that says “Always use this application to open this kind of file.”
5. Click “OK” to save your changes.
By following these simple steps, you can easily change the program that opens files on your computer, ensuring a more personalized and efficient experience.
