How to set your default programs

Thu, 11/08/2007 - 21:12 — George

In this short tutorial we will show you how to set the default programs that Windows Vista will use to open certain files or protocols. This can be very useful especially when you install similar programs on your PC and you want to open certain things with an application and others with a secondary application.

In the Start Menu search box type the word default and then click on the first result.

Start Menu

The Default Programs main window will open and you will see four options.

Default Programs

Click on the Set your default programs link.

Default Programs

After a short Loading... screen you will see a list with all the programs that you can configure.

Default Programs

Here you can set a program as default for a specific file type, extension or protocol. Let's pick Internet Explorer as an example. Click on it and on the right side of the window you will see a small description of the program. Lower, there is a note that informs you if the program is set as the default for all the file types and protocols it can open.

Default Programs

As you can see, for this example, Internet Explorer is set as default for 3 out of a total of 9. If you want to set this program as default for every file type, protocol or extension it can open, click on the Set this program as default link.

Default Programs

When you have finished, click on OK.

If you want to edit what file types a program will open by default, select it and then click the Choose defaults for this program link.

Default Programs

A new window will open where you can set the program associations.

Default Programs

Here you can see all file types, extensions and protocols that Internet Explorer can open by default. If you want Internet Explorer to be the default for a specific extension or protocol, check the appropriate box right next to it. After you have made your selections click on Save and then on OK.

Comments

Fri, 09/12/2008 - 03:52 — vivryan57 (not verified)

Control Panel\Programs\Programs and Features

i cant get a shortcut on my desktop to open word documents or word for vista at all how do i find this quickly and open it from my desktop or start menu is it differnet to the word program i used to use when i had my old pc which used windows 2000 professional. since i write a lot of documents this is very anoying i have had this new laptop for a monthand cannot add my old documents or convert them just want a shortcut to open word and close and save it at will plese help

Mon, 10/13/2008 - 05:51 — Pirate (not verified)

How to make a program shortcut in Vista

Left click on Start button,
Right click on your desired program and
then select Send To.
You will notice a selection to create a desktop icon.

Tue, 10/21/2008 - 04:35 — Anonymous (not verified)

tutorial

Completley useless - does not tell me what defaults to set

Fri, 01/16/2009 - 21:33 — Arnold (not verified)

Adding FileZilla to Default Programs

How do I add FileZilla to the Default Programs? I want it to hand the FTP protocol (e.g. links like ftp://www.someserver.com/pub), but it doesn't show up, and I can't browse for it. (This control panel doesn't allow you to browse for programs for protocols, only for file types.)

Sun, 01/18/2009 - 12:50 — Ciprian

Login / Register