File Format & Compatibility

How to Stop WPS from Opening Documents Instead of Microsoft Word

Maira Mehtab Sep 20, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user wants to stop WPS Office from acting as the default application for their files and needs to restore Microsoft Word as the primary document handler.

Product: WPS Office / Microsoft Word
Device & OS: not provided
Scenario: Opening and saving text documents from the file manager.
Observed behavior: Documents are automatically opening in WPS Office by default instead of Microsoft Word.

Before you start

Ensure that Microsoft Word is fully installed and activated on your device before attempting to change your default file associations.

Solution 1Recommended

Change Default Application via File Explorer

Use the 'Open with' context menu to manually reassign the default program for your document formats back to Microsoft Word.

This method updates your operating system's file association registry, ensuring that any file sharing the same extension (such as .docx) will automatically launch in Microsoft Word from now on.

Locate a document

Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder containing a document that currently opens in WPS Office.

Open context menu

Right-click on the document file to reveal the context menu, then hover over or click on 'Open with'.

Select Microsoft Word

Choose 'Microsoft Word' from the list of suggested applications.

Set as permanent default

Before confirming, make sure to check the option that says 'Always use this app to open .docx files' (or similar wording based on your system), then click OK.

Multiple File Types: If you use older document formats (.doc) or rich text files (.rtf), you may need to repeat this quick process for those specific file types as well.

Manage File Defaults Easily with WPS Office Configuration Tools

If you want to quickly stop WPS Office from taking over your default formats without navigating system menus, WPS Office includes a dedicated Configuration Tool. This allows you to manage all file associations in one place and easily uncheck Microsoft Word formats.

1. Launch Configuration Tools: Search for 'WPS Office Tools' in your system's Start Menu and open the 'Configuration Tools' application.
2. Access Advanced Settings: In the dialog box that appears, click on the 'Advanced' button to open detailed settings.
3. Open Compatibility Tab: Navigate to the 'Compatability' tab to see which file formats are currently associated with WPS Office.
4. Uncheck Document Formats: Uncheck the box next to 'WPS Office will be the default program for Microsoft Word documents', then click OK to save your changes.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why did WPS Office become my default application?

During the initial installation or an update of WPS Office, there is usually an option to set the software as the default handler for supported office formats. If this box remains checked, your operating system will automatically route Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files to WPS Office.

Will changing the default program alter or delete my existing documents?

No. Changing the default application only modifies the instruction your computer uses to decide which software opens the file. Your documents, formatting, and contents remain completely safe and unchanged.

Can I still use WPS Office if Microsoft Word is set as the default?

Absolutely. You can still open documents in WPS Office at any time by opening the WPS application first and using File > Open, or by right-clicking a document, selecting 'Open with', and choosing WPS Office for a one-time view.

How do I make WPS Office the default application again in the future?

You can restore WPS Office as the default by right-clicking any document, selecting 'Open with', choosing WPS Office, and checking the 'Always use this app' box. Alternatively, you can use the WPS Configuration Tools to re-associate the file formats.

Document & File Issues