How to reset all Apps and File Associations to default in Windows 11/10

There may be a time when you want to reset all your Program and  File Associations to default values in Windows 11/10. Windows 11/10 allows you to reset them to Microsoft recommended defaults. Here is how you go about it.

Reset all Apps & File Associations to default

To reset all Apps and File Associations to default in Windows 11, follow these steps:

1. Press Win+I to open Windows Settings.
2. Go to Apps > Default apps.
3. Scroll down to the bottom.
4. Click on the Reset button.
5. Click the Ok button.

However, if you are using Windows 10, do the following:

When you click open a file, it will open the file with your OS default app that is associated with it. It could be a web link, video file, and so on.

For instance, Edge is the default browser in Windows 10, but you may have changed the file association to one of your choices like Firefox or Chrome. Similarly, you may have changed other file type associations too. Now if you want to reset all of them to their default values, do the following.

1. Open the WinX Menu,
2. Open Settings and
3. Click on Apps settings.
4. On the left side, you will see Default apps. Click on it.
5. Scroll down a bit till you see an item – Reset to Microsoft recommended defaults.
6. Click on the Reset button and all your File Type Associations will be set to their original values.

1] Choose default apps by file type

Windows 11

To choose default apps by file type in Windows 11, do the following:

• Press Win+I to open Windows Settings.
• Go to Apps > Default apps.
• Click the Choose defaults by file type option.
• Select a file type or extension.
• Choose an app you want to set as default.

Windows 10

You can also set the defaults by file type extensions towards the end. Click on the blue Choose default apps by file type. Select the app and then set the default app to open files with the desired extension.

2] Choose default apps by protocol

Windows 11

In Windows 11, you need to click on the Choose defaults by link type option. However, if you are using Windows 10, you can find the same option named Choose default apps by protocol.

Windows 10

Similarly, you can also set the defaults by file type extensions. Click on the blue Choose default apps by protocol. Select the protocol and then set the default app.

3] Set defaults by app

Windows 11

To set defaults by app in Windows 11, follow these steps:

• Open Windows Settings.
• Go to Apps > Default apps.
• Click on an app.
• Click on a file extension.
• Choose another app you want to set as default.

Windows 10

To set the defaults, click on the blue Set defaults by app link > Press the Manage button and do the needful.

How do I reset file associations to default?

To reset file associations to default in Windows 11, you need to open Windows Settings first. For that, press the Win+I keyboard shortcut. Then, go to Apps > Default apps. Next, scroll down to the bottom and find out the Reset all default apps option. Click on the Reset button and click the Ok option.

Related: How to Export and Import Default App Associations on Windows 11/10.

How do I reset my apps to default?

To reset your apps to default in Windows 11, you can open Windows Settings first. Then, switch to the Apps tab and click on the Apps & features option. Here you can find all the apps installed on your computer. You need to click the corresponding three-dotted icon and select the Advanced options. Then, click the Reset button twice to get the job done.

TIP: If you find that you cannot open a particular file type, then our File Association Fixer for Windows 10/8/7 will be able to easily help you fix, repair and restore the broken file associations.