How to Change the Default Program for Opening Excel XLSX Files on Windows 10
Question details
The user needs to reconfigure Windows 10 settings because Excel .xlsx files are incorrectly opening in Adobe Reader instead of Microsoft Excel.
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows 10
- Scenario
- Attempting to open a downloaded or saved .xlsx spreadsheet file directly from Windows File Explorer.
- Observed behavior
- The .xlsx file launches in Adobe Reader, preventing the user from viewing or editing the spreadsheet properly, despite file properties recognizing it as an Excel document.
Ensure that Microsoft Excel or a compatible spreadsheet application is currently installed on your Windows 10 PC before attempting to change the file association.
Change Default Program via the 'Open with' Context Menu
This is the quickest method to reassign the default application for a specific file type directly from your File Explorer.
Using the right-click context menu allows you to override current file associations on the fly. This method directly forces Windows to remember your preferred application for all future files of the same extension.
Open Windows File Explorer and navigate to a folder containing any .xlsx file.
Right-click the .xlsx file, hover your mouse over 'Open with' in the context menu, and select 'Choose another app'.
In the prompt that appears, click on 'Microsoft Excel' from the list of available applications.
Check the box at the bottom that says 'Always use this app to open .xlsx files', then click 'OK' to apply the changes.
Change File Association via Windows Settings
Use the Windows System Settings to manage and review all default applications by file type comprehensively.
Open XLSX Files Seamlessly with WPS Office
If you are experiencing recurring issues with your current spreadsheet software or simply want a faster, more reliable option, WPS Office can easily handle all your .xlsx files. You can set it as your default program in just a few clicks.
- 1. Install WPS Office: Download and install the free version of WPS Office from the official website onto your Windows PC.
- 2. Right-click Your File: Locate your .xlsx file in File Explorer, right-click it, and select 'Open with' followed by 'Choose another app'.
- 3. Set WPS as Default: Select 'WPS Spreadsheets' from the list, check the 'Always use this app to open .xlsx files' box, and click 'OK'.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my default program for .xlsx files change to Adobe Reader suddenly?
This typically happens after a major software update (such as a Windows or Adobe update) that inadvertently resets registry settings, or if you accidentally checked 'Always use this app' while temporarily viewing a file with a different program.
What should I do if Microsoft Excel does not appear in the 'Choose another app' list?
Scroll to the bottom of the app list and click 'More apps'. If Excel is still missing, scroll down again, click 'Look for another app on this PC', and navigate to your Office installation folder (usually C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\) to manually select the 'EXCEL.EXE' file.
Can I reset all my Windows file associations back to their original defaults at once?
Yes. Go to Windows Settings > Apps > Default apps. Scroll down to the 'Reset to the Microsoft recommended defaults' section and click the 'Reset' button. Note that this will revert all custom browser, media player, and document associations to default Windows applications.
