This document provides two ways to change the default program that opens a specific file type on Windows 7. The easiest way is to right click a file, select "Open with", and then choose the preferred program from the menu and select the option to always use that program. Alternatively, one can open the Default Programs menu from the Start button, select "Associate a file type or protocol with a program", choose the file type and preferred opening program, and click OK to configure the change.

1. Windows 7: Change the Default Program that opens a File Type
For example if you want Adobe Pro to open instead of Adobe Reader for pdf’s.
There are two ways, the easiest is shown first.
Easiest Way!
Right mouse click on a file, hold your mouse over Open with, & click on Choose
default program…
Click on the Program & be sure the Always use the selected program to opne this kind
of file is checked. Click OK.
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2. Alternate Way!
Click on the Start button
Click on Default Programs
Click on Associate a file type or protocol with a program
A list of Extensions will appear, scroll down to Select and click on Change Program
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3. In the Open with window, select the Program & click OK.
Wait while it configures your computer and the window will appear listing your files
types, click the Close button. Close the final window also.
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