Office Settings & Configuration

How to Open Word Documents in Word Instead of Acrobat Reader

Maira Mehtab Sep 27, 2026 869 views

Question details

The user needs to configure Windows to open Word document formats (.doc, .docx, .docm) in Microsoft Word by default, while ensuring PDF files continue to open in Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Opening Word documents directly from the File Explorer or desktop.
Observed behavior: Word documents are incorrectly opening in Adobe Acrobat Reader instead of Microsoft Word.

Before you start

Ensure that Microsoft Word is properly installed on your computer before attempting to change the default file associations.

Solution 1Recommended

Use the 'Open with' Context Menu

This is the quickest method to fix the file association for a specific Word document type directly from your File Explorer.

By using the right-click menu, you can re-link the file extension to the correct application without having to navigate through deep system settings.

Right-click the document

Locate a Word document (.doc or .docx) on your computer, right-click on the file, and select 'Open with' from the context menu.

Choose another app

Click on 'Choose another app' to open the application selection prompt.

Select Microsoft Word

Select 'Microsoft Word' from the list of available applications. Before clicking OK, ensure you check the box that says 'Always use this app to open .docx files' (or similar wording depending on your Windows version).

PDF Settings Maintained: This method only affects the specific file type you right-clicked. Your PDF files will continue to open in Acrobat Reader.

Solution 2

Update Default Apps in Windows Settings

Use the Windows Settings menu to comprehensively change defaults for all Word file formats (.doc, .docx, .docm) at once.

Set WPS Office as Your Default Word Processor

If Microsoft Word is malfunctioning or you need a reliable, free alternative, WPS Office handles all DOC, DOCX, and PDF files seamlessly. You can easily set it as your default application to open Word documents.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office Free from the official website.
2. Right-click a Word document: Locate any .doc or .docx file on your computer and right-click it.
3. Select Open with: Choose 'Open with' and click on 'Choose another app'.
4. Set WPS as default: Select 'WPS Office' from the list, check 'Always use this app to open .docx files', and click OK.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Word formats (.doc, .docx)Built-in PDF reader and editor to manage all document typesLightweight, fast to open, and highly responsiveFamiliar tabbed interface for easy multitasking

microsoft office alternative - wps office

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Word documents suddenly start opening in Adobe Acrobat?

This usually happens if a recent system update, a new software installation, or an accidental click changed your default file associations in Windows to associate .docx files with Adobe Acrobat instead of Word.

Can I still open PDFs in Acrobat Reader if Word is my default for documents?

Yes, changing the default application for .doc and .docx files back to Microsoft Word will not affect your .pdf file associations. PDFs will continue to open in Acrobat Reader.

What if Microsoft Word doesn't appear in the 'Open with' menu?

If Word is missing from the list, click 'More apps' or 'Look for another app on this PC', then navigate to the Microsoft Office installation folder (usually in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office) to manually select the WINWORD.EXE file. If it's still missing, you may need to repair your Office installation.

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