Office Settings & Configuration

How to Set Word and Excel as Default Apps in Windows

Rana Garcia Sep 29, 2026 872 views

Question details

Configure Windows to automatically open specific document and spreadsheet file types using Microsoft Word and Excel.

How to Set Word and Excel as Default Apps in Windows

Product: Windows / Microsoft Office
Device & OS: Windows
Scenario: Opening document (.docx, .doc) or spreadsheet (.xlsx, .xls, .csv) files directly from the file explorer.
Observed behavior: Document and spreadsheet files are opening in unexpected applications, such as a web browser or WordPad, instead of Microsoft Word or Excel.

Before you start

Ensure that Microsoft Office (Word and Excel) is fully installed and activated on your Windows computer before attempting to set them as your default applications.

Solution 1Recommended

Use Windows Settings to Set Default Apps

This method allows you to manage all default applications by file type from a single, centralized settings menu in Windows.

Using the Windows Settings app is the most comprehensive way to ensure that all associated file types (such as DOCX, DOC, XLSX, XLS, and CSV) are properly mapped to Microsoft Word and Excel without having to find each file type manually.

Open Windows Settings

Press the Windows key + I on your keyboard to open the Settings app, then click on Apps.

Navigate to Default Apps

From the left-hand menu (or the main list in Windows 11), select Default apps.

Choose Defaults by File Type

Scroll down and click on the link that says 'Choose default apps by file type'.

Assign Word and Excel

Locate the specific file extensions (e.g., .docx, .doc, .xlsx, .csv). Click on the current default app next to the extension, select Word or Excel from the pop-up list, and confirm the change.

Use Windows Settings to Set Default Apps

Windows Interface Variations: The interface may look slightly different depending on whether you are using Windows 10 or Windows 11, but the path to 'Default apps' remains essentially the same.

Solution 2

Set Default App via the Right-Click Menu

A quick, on-the-fly method to set default apps for individual file types directly from File Explorer.

Free Microsoft Office alternative

Use WPS Office as Your Default Document Editor

If you are looking for a reliable, free, and lightweight suite, WPS Office is an excellent alternative. It is highly compatible with Microsoft Word and Excel formats, and you can easily set it as your default app for all your document needs.

1. Install WPS Office: Download and install WPS Office on your Windows PC.
2. Open File Association Settings: Launch WPS Office, go to Settings, and navigate to the File Association menu.
3. Set as Default: Check the boxes for Word (.doc, .docx) and Excel (.xls, .xlsx) formats to set WPS as your default application.

Highly compatible with Microsoft Office formats (.docx, .xlsx, .pptx)Free and lightweight alternative to Microsoft OfficeAll-in-one suite to manage documents, spreadsheets, and PDFs in a single windowFamiliar, user-friendly interface for seamless migration

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do my DOCX files open in my web browser instead of Word?

This happens when your default app for .docx files is accidentally set to your web browser, such as Microsoft Edge. You can fix this by right-clicking a .docx file, selecting 'Open with > Choose another app', selecting Word, and checking 'Always use this app to open files'.

Can I set defaults for CSV files to automatically open in Excel?

Yes, you can associate CSV files with Excel. Navigate to Settings > Apps > Default apps, search for the .csv extension, and change the assigned application to Microsoft Excel.

What should I do if Word or Excel is missing from the 'Open with' list?

If Word or Excel doesn't appear in the list, scroll down and select 'Look for another app on this PC'. Then, navigate to the Microsoft Office installation folder (typically located in C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office) and select the EXCEL.EXE or WINWORD.EXE application file.

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