The 'Open With' menu in Windows 11 is a handy feature that allows you to choose which program you want to use to open a particular file type. This menu appears when you right-click on a file and select the "Open With" option. By default, Windows 11 provides a list of recommended programs based on the file type, but you can also customize this menu to include your preferred applications.
Editing the 'Open With' menu is useful when you frequently work with specific file types and want to quickly access your preferred programs. Here's how you can customize the 'Open With' menu in Windows 11:
Method 1: Using the 'Open With' Option
1. Right-click on the file for which you want to edit the 'Open With' menu.
2. From the context menu, select the "Open With" option.
3. In the submenu that appears, click on "Choose another app."
4. A list of recommended apps will be displayed. If your preferred program is listed, select it. If not, click on the "More apps" option.
5. In the "Choose an app" window, you can either scroll through the list to find your desired program or click on "Look for another app on this PC" to browse for the program's executable file.
6. Once you have selected your preferred program, make sure to check the box that says "Always use this app to open .[file extension] files" to set it as the default program for that file type.
Method 2: Using the Settings App
1. Press the Windows key + I to open the Windows Settings app.
2. Click on "Apps" in the left sidebar.
3. In the Apps settings, click on "Default apps" in the left sidebar.
4. Scroll down and click on the "Choose default apps by file type" link.
5. A list of file extensions will be displayed along with their currently associated programs. Scroll through the list or use the search bar to find the file type you want to edit.
6. Click on the currently associated program for that file type.
7. In the "Choose an app" window, you can either select one of the recommended apps or click on "More apps" to see additional options.
8. If your preferred program is not listed, click on "Look for another app on this PC" to browse for the program's executable file.
9. Once you have selected your preferred program, it will be associated with that file type. You can repeat this process for other file types as well.
By following these methods, you can easily edit the 'Open With' menu in Windows 11 and set your preferred programs for different file types. This allows you to quickly open files using the applications you use most frequently.
Conclusion
The 'Open With' menu in Windows 11 provides a convenient way to choose which program to use when opening specific file types. Whether you prefer to use the 'Open With' option directly from the file's context menu or through the Settings app, customizing this menu allows you to streamline your workflow and access your preferred applications easily.
Remember, it's always a good idea to set your preferred programs as default for specific file types so that Windows 11 automatically opens those files with your chosen applications.
References
| Number | Source |
|---|---|
| 1 | Windows Central - How to edit the 'Open With' menu on Windows 10 |
| 2 | Microsoft Support - Change default programs in Windows 10 |
| 3 | Windows Central - How to set default apps on Windows 10 |