Office Settings & Configuration

How to Make Microsoft Word the Default App Instead of WordPad

Elise Williams Oct 1, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to change the default application for opening document files from WordPad to Microsoft Word on a Windows 11 computer.

How to Make Microsoft Word the Default App Instead of WordPad

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows 11
Scenario: Opening Word documents in File Explorer after installing Microsoft Office.
Observed behavior: Word documents (.docx, .rtf) are incorrectly opening in WordPad instead of Microsoft Word when double-clicked.

Before you start

Ensure that Microsoft Office is fully installed and activated on your Windows 11 system before modifying default file associations.

Solution 1Recommended

Change Default App via File Explorer Open With Menu

Quickly reassign the default application for a specific file type right from the File Explorer context menu.

Locate your document

Open File Explorer and navigate to the folder containing a Word Document (.docx) or Rich Text Format (.rtf) file.

Open the context menu

Right-click on the document file and hover over the 'Open with' option in the drop-down menu.

Choose another app

Select 'Choose another app' from the expanded menu to open the application selection dialog.

Select Microsoft Word

Click on 'Microsoft Word' in the list. If it is not immediately visible, scroll down or select 'More apps'.

Set as default

Check the box at the bottom that says 'Always use this app to open .docx files' (or .rtf), then click 'OK'.

Change Default App via File Explorer Open With Menu

File Types: You may need to repeat these steps for other text file types, such as .rtf, if they continue to open in WordPad.

Solution 2

Modify Default Apps in Windows 11 Settings

Use the Windows Settings menu to comprehensively manage and change file associations for all Microsoft Office formats.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Try WPS Office as Your Reliable Document Editor

If you are having persistent trouble with Microsoft Office file associations or simply want a lighter, faster application, WPS Office is an excellent free alternative. It seamlessly handles all your document needs without the typical bloatware.

1. Download WPS Office: Click the download link to get the free, lightweight WPS Office installer.
2. Install the Suite: Run the setup file and follow the quick instructions to install WPS Office on your Windows 11 PC.
3. Set as Default: During installation or first launch, allow WPS Office to automatically set itself as the default app for all your Word documents.

Perfectly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .doc, .rtf)Lightweight design that runs flawlessly on Windows 11Completely free to use with an intuitive, tabbed interface

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Word documents suddenly start opening in WordPad?

This can happen if a Windows update resets your file associations, if your Microsoft Office installation is corrupted, or if you are opening an .rtf file, which Windows natively assigns to WordPad by default.

What is the difference between a .docx and an .rtf file?

A .docx file is the standard format for Microsoft Word, supporting advanced formatting, macros, and images. An .rtf (Rich Text Format) file is a simpler text format that supports basic formatting and can be opened by almost any word processor, including WordPad.

Can I completely uninstall WordPad in Windows 11?

Yes, Windows 11 allows you to remove WordPad as an optional feature. Go to Settings > Apps > Optional features, search for WordPad, click on it, and select 'Uninstall'. This will force Windows to default to another app like Microsoft Word or Notepad for text files.

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