File Format & Compatibility

How to Change the Default PDF App in Windows 11 After Choosing Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 22, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to change the default application for opening PDF files in Windows 11 after accidentally selecting Microsoft Word as the default.

Product: Windows 11, Microsoft Word, PDF
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: The user attempts to open a standard PDF file but accidentally chose 'Always' for Microsoft Word in the 'Open with' menu.
Observed behavior: PDF files automatically open in Microsoft Word instead of a PDF reader, which triggers an unwanted document conversion process that may alter the layout.

Before you start

Ensure you have a dedicated PDF reader, such as WPS Office or Microsoft Edge, installed on your computer before attempting to change the default application settings.

Solution 1Recommended

Change the Default PDF App via the 'Open with' Menu

This is the quickest method to reassign the default application directly from any PDF file on your desktop or file explorer.

Right-click the PDF file

Locate any PDF file on your computer, right-click it, and hover your cursor over the 'Open with' option.

Choose another app

From the expanded context menu, click on 'Choose another app' to open the application selection dialog.

Select your preferred PDF reader

Click on your preferred PDF viewer, such as WPS Office or Microsoft Edge, from the provided list of applications.

Set as default

Click the 'Always' button at the bottom of the window to ensure all future PDF files open with this selected application.

Quick Fix: The PDF icon in File Explorer should immediately change to match the logo of your newly selected default application.

Solution 2

Modify Default Apps in Windows 11 Settings

Use the Windows system settings to manually search for the .pdf extension and reassign it to your preferred PDF software.

Professional PDF Reader

Set WPS Office as Your Default PDF Reader

WPS Office features a powerful, built-in PDF tool that lets you view, annotate, and edit PDFs smoothly without triggering unwanted format conversions. Set it as your default to ensure seamless document management.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on your Windows 11 computer.
2. Access the Open With menu: Right-click any PDF file, select 'Open with', and click 'Choose another app'.
3. Select WPS Office: Choose 'WPS Office' from the app list and click 'Always' to make it your permanent PDF viewer.

Read, edit, and annotate PDF files natively without unwanted document conversions.Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats and standard Adobe PDF specifications.Lightweight software architecture that opens large PDF files instantly.Includes features to merge, compress, and convert PDFs to Word, Excel, or PowerPoint easily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does Word convert my PDF when I open it?

Microsoft Word uses a built-in feature called 'PDF Reflow' designed to convert PDF content into an editable Word document. While great for editing text, it can disrupt complex layouts and is not ideal if you just want to read the file.

Will changing the default PDF app affect my existing PDF files?

No. Changing the default application only modifies which program Windows uses to open the files. The actual content, layout, and formatting of your existing PDF files will remain completely intact and unaltered.

What should I do if my preferred PDF app isn't listed in the Open with menu?

If your chosen app does not appear, click 'Choose another app', scroll to the bottom, and select 'Choose an app on your PC'. You can then navigate to your 'Program Files' folder to manually locate and select the application's executable (.exe) file.

Can I undo the PDF conversion if Word already saved it?

If Word opened the PDF and converted it, the original PDF is usually left untouched unless you specifically chose 'Save' and overwrote the original file. If you haven't saved the converted document, simply close Word without saving to keep your original PDF.

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