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Office Apps Not Opening

How to Fix OneNote Opening Local Files in OneNote 2016

Emma BrownEmma Brown Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

Users experience local notebook files (.one) opening in OneNote 2016 instead of the OneNote for Windows 10 application.

How to Fix OneNote Opening Local Files in OneNote 2016
Product
Microsoft OneNote
Device & OS
Windows
Scenario
Attempting to open local .one files using the OneNote for Windows 10 application.
Observed behavior
Windows continues to open the local notebook files in OneNote 2016 or another installed OneNote desktop app because OneNote for Windows 10 is retired.
Before you start

Verify which versions of OneNote are currently installed on your Windows device and check if your notebooks are stored locally on your hard drive or online.

Solution 1Recommended

Transition to the Current OneNote Desktop Application

Since OneNote for Windows 10 is retired, it is recommended to use the supported OneNote desktop application to open and manage local files.

The OneNote for Windows 10 application has been officially retired. It is no longer generally available in the Microsoft Store and is not intended to open local .one files.

Microsoft has unified the note-taking experience into a single desktop application, meaning you should transition to the standard OneNote desktop app for managing local notebooks.

1
Locate your local notebook

Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder where your local .one files are stored.

2
Open with the correct application

Right-click the .one file, select 'Open with', and choose the current 'OneNote' application from the list.

3
Set as the default app

Check the box that says 'Always use this app to open .one files' to ensure future files open in the correct supported desktop application.

Transition to the Current OneNote Desktop Application
App Retirement Warning: Do not try to reinstall the retired OneNote for Windows 10 application, as it is no longer supported for opening local notebook files.
Free Microsoft Office alternative

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While Microsoft transitions between different app versions, managing your daily documents shouldn't be confusing. WPS Office offers a free, lightweight, and unified suite for all your document needs, fully compatible with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint without the hassle of retired applications.

  1. 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS website and click 'Download WPS Office Free'.
  2. 2. Install the application: Run the downloaded installer and follow the simple on-screen instructions to set up the suite.
  3. 3. Open your documents: Launch WPS Office to easily create, edit, and manage all your documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in one unified workspace.
Completely free and lightweight office suiteFully compatible with Microsoft Office formats including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTXUnified interface for Writer, Spreadsheet, Presentation, and PDF toolsNo confusing app versions or forced application retirements
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still download OneNote for Windows 10?

No, Microsoft has retired OneNote for Windows 10, and it is no longer generally available in the Microsoft Store. Users are advised to use the standard OneNote desktop app.

How do I access my notebooks if I do not want to use the desktop app?

If your notebooks are stored online via OneDrive or SharePoint, you can easily access them using OneNote on the web through any modern web browser.

Why did Microsoft replace OneNote for Windows 10?

Microsoft opted to unify its note-taking applications by combining the features of OneNote for Windows 10 and OneNote 2016 into a single, comprehensive desktop application to simplify the user experience.