'%3e%3cpath%20d='M8%200C12.4183%200%2016%203.58172%2016%208C16%2012.4183%2012.4183%2016%208%2016C3.58172%2016%200%2012.4183%200%208C0%203.58172%203.58172%200%208%200ZM11.6162%204.38379C11.2257%203.99337%2010.5927%203.99338%2010.2021%204.38379L8%206.58594L5.79785%204.38379C5.40732%203.99334%204.77429%203.99329%204.38379%204.38379C3.99331%204.77429%203.99335%205.40733%204.38379%205.79785L6.58594%208L4.38379%2010.2021C3.99348%2010.5927%203.99341%2011.2257%204.38379%2011.6162C4.77426%2012.0066%205.40734%2012.0065%205.79785%2011.6162L8%209.41406L10.2021%2011.6162C10.5927%2012.0066%2011.2257%2012.0067%2011.6162%2011.6162C12.0067%2011.2257%2012.0066%2010.5927%2011.6162%2010.2021L9.41406%208L11.6162%205.79785C12.0066%205.40735%2012.0066%204.77429%2011.6162%204.38379Z'%20fill='%23080E17'%20fill-opacity='0.46'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3cdefs%3e%3cclipPath%20id='clip0_3761_713'%3e%3crect%20width='16'%20height='16'%20fill='white'/%3e%3c/clipPath%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e)
How to Set Microsoft Word as the Default App Instead of WordPad
Question details
The user wants to configure Windows to automatically use Microsoft Word rather than WordPad when opening or printing Word document files.
- Product
- Microsoft Word
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Opening or printing .doc and .docx files from File Explorer.
- Observed behavior
- Word documents are incorrectly opening in WordPad instead of Microsoft Word, which disrupts normal viewing and printing.
Verify that Microsoft Office or Microsoft Word is fully installed and activated on your Windows PC before changing your default app settings.
Change the Default App via the Right-Click Context Menu
This is the quickest method to reassign a specific file type directly from the file itself without navigating through deep system menus.
Using the 'Open with' context menu allows you to force Windows to remember your preferred application for a specific extension, such as .docx.
Locate any Word document (.doc or .docx) on your desktop or in File Explorer, and right-click on the file icon.
Hover over 'Open with' in the context menu, then click on 'Choose another app' from the expanded list.
Click on 'Microsoft Word' in the list of available applications. Make sure to check the box at the bottom that says 'Always use this app to open .docx files' (or similar wording depending on your Windows version).
Click 'OK'. The document should now open in Microsoft Word. Try printing the document again to confirm the issue is resolved.
Update Preferences in Windows Default Apps Settings
Use the main Windows Settings menu to comprehensively manage default applications for various file extensions.
Repair Your Microsoft 365 Installation
If Microsoft Word does not appear as an option in your app lists, repairing the software installation can restore its system registry entries.
Open and Edit Word Documents Easily with WPS Office
If your Microsoft Office subscription has expired or you need a reliable, free word processor to prevent documents from opening in WordPad, WPS Office is a perfect replacement. It effortlessly handles standard documents without complex setup requirements.
- 1. Download and Install: Get WPS Office from the official website and follow the brief installation prompt.
- 2. Set as Default: During installation, check the option to associate WPS Office with Word document formats automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did my documents suddenly start opening in WordPad?
This usually occurs if Microsoft Word gets uninstalled, your Microsoft 365 subscription expires, or a major Windows update accidentally resets your system's default app preferences back to native Windows utilities like WordPad.
What if Microsoft Word doesn't show up in the 'Open with' list at all?
If Word isn't listed, scroll to the bottom of the list and click 'Choose an app on your PC'. Navigate manually to your Office installation folder (typically C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16) and select the 'WINWORD.EXE' application file.
Can I simply uninstall WordPad to force files to open in Word?
Yes, in Windows 10 and 11, you can remove WordPad. Go to Settings > Apps > Optional features, search for WordPad, and click 'Uninstall'. Without WordPad, Windows will usually prompt you to select a new default app the next time you open a document.
Are .doc and .docx the only files I need to change?
While .doc and .docx are the most common Word formats, you may also want to check the default apps for .rtf (Rich Text Format) and .dotx (Word Template) files, as these can also default to WordPad.
