Office Settings & Configuration

How to Set Microsoft Word as the Default App for Office Files

Amos Gikunda Oct 1, 2026 871 views

Question details

The user needs to configure their system so that Microsoft Word is the default application for opening Office files like DOCX.

How to Set Microsoft Word as the Default App for Office Files

Product: Microsoft Word
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Opening Microsoft Office document files from File Explorer.
Observed behavior: DOCX and other Office files are incorrectly opening in WordPad or other default text editors instead of Microsoft 365 Word.

Before you start

Ensure that Microsoft 365 or a standalone version of Microsoft Word is fully installed and activated on your Windows PC before attempting to change the default file associations.

Solution 1Recommended

Change Default App via Windows Settings

Use the main Windows Settings menu to permanently assign Microsoft Word as the default application for specific file extensions like .docx.

This is the most reliable method for updating file associations across your entire Windows user profile. It ensures that every time you double-click a document, it opens in the correct application.

Open Windows Settings

Click the Start button and select the gear icon, or press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open Settings.

Navigate to Apps

Click on 'Apps' from the main settings menu, then select 'Default apps' from the left sidebar.

Choose default apps by file type

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the link that says 'Choose default apps by file type'.

Assign Microsoft Word

Scroll through the list to find the '.docx' extension (or any other Office format). Click on the current default program (such as WordPad) and select 'Word' from the popup list.

Tip: You can repeat this process for other Office file types such as .doc, .xlsx, and .pptx to ensure all your documents open correctly.

Solution 2

Use the 'Open With' Context Menu

Quickly change the default application directly from a file using the right-click menu in File Explorer.

Solution 3

Repair Your Microsoft 365 Installation

If Microsoft Word does not appear as an option in your settings, your Office installation may be corrupted and needs repairing.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Experience Hassle-Free Document Management with WPS Office

If you are tired of dealing with missing file associations, complex Windows registry settings, or Microsoft 365 repair issues, consider switching to WPS Office. It provides a lightweight, all-in-one environment that natively supports all major Office formats without the need for complicated configurations.

1. Download the Installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free installation file.
2. Run the Setup: Open the downloaded file and follow the simple on-screen instructions to install the software.
3. Set as Default: During the setup process, simply check the option to make WPS Office the default application for your documents, instantly fixing all file associations.

Fully compatible with Microsoft Office formats, including DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX.Completely free to use with a familiar, easy-to-navigate user interface.Lightweight installation that avoids common Windows default app errors.All-in-one tabbed interface for managing documents, spreadsheets, and PDFs in a single window.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my DOCX files suddenly open in WordPad instead of Word?

This commonly occurs after a major Windows update or if Microsoft Word was temporarily uninstalled or updated. Windows automatically falls back to WordPad, its built-in text editor, when the primary DOCX association is broken.

How do I change the default app for all Microsoft Office files at once?

Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps. Instead of searching by file type, search for 'Word' or 'Microsoft 365' in the app list, click on it, and you can assign it to all of its supported file types (like .doc, .docx, .rtf) from one screen.

What should I do if Microsoft Word doesn't appear in the 'Open with' list?

If Word is missing, you can click 'More apps' in the 'Open with' menu, scroll down, and click 'Look for another app on this PC'. Then navigate to 'C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16' (path may vary) and select 'WINWORD.EXE'.

Will changing the default app affect the contents of my documents?

No, changing the default app only tells Windows which program to use when you double-click the file. It does not alter, convert, or delete the actual contents of your documents.

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