To allow people to use their computers as soon as OS installation concludes, Microsoft includes a number of default apps in Windows. In most of the cases, Windows default apps perform adequately but many users still find them less than ideal. Because of that, it’s not uncommon for Windows users to get rid of default apps in favor of third-party alternatives. Read to the end if you like to know how to remove default app by file type.
What You Could Do
Dummy Executables
The idea is simple: In the beginning, build a dummy executable. Afterward, you get Windows to open your files using that dummy executable then destroy it. As a result, Windows does not know how to access the files when it restarts. That is going to help you achieve your end goal: the removal of default app by file type.
- Step 1: Open Windows File Explorer then select the box marked ‘File Name Extensions’ in View Ribbon tab.
- Step 2: Select File Explorer, right-click your Desktop, go to New and select Text File.
- Step 3: Replace the file extension of the new file from .txt to. exe and finalize the changes. Right-click a .package file, navigate to Open with and pick Choose another App.
- Step 4: Select the box marked ‘Always use this app to open .package files’. Scroll down and select ‘More Apps’ at the bottom. Scroll down again and choose ‘Find another program on this PC.’
- Step 5: Click OK after navigating to the fake file exe on your Desktop. Now the .package file will not open.
- Step 6: Remove the dummy exe file from your desktop and restart your computer.
Assuming that things proceed smoothly, the file association will be broken and the value will return to None.
Reset To Default
If you mess up the configuration of default apps, it’s a good idea to consider resetting to default. Also, the process is straightforward since all you need do is to go through the following steps:
- Step 1: Open “Start” menu then hit the gear icon to open Settings
- Step 2: To see the default applications by file type, click “Default apps” in the sidebar. Keep scrolling down until you see a heading that says “Reset to Microsoft suggested defaults.”
- Step 3: Underneath it, press the large “Reset” button and wait for the tick next to the ‘Reset’ button to appear.
Now, the configuration of default apps should return to Microsoft’s default. That means you may change it as you like and see how things turn out.
Advice
Windows is a popular OS but it remains far from perfect. From system hiccups to bugs, numerous things could wreck your Windows computer and the data you have on it in a blink of an eye. Therefore, if you don’t want to get caught off guard, remember the precautions down below.
Disable Startup Programs
Disabling startup programs helps a lot as the startup programs eat up your computer resources and in some cases lead to lagging.
- Step 1: Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete key and select Task Manager.
- Step 2: Select the Startup tab. Now all the startup apps will be displayed to you.
- Step 3: Select the app which you don’t use, or don’t trust, then press the Disable button.
Create Backups From Time To Time
The best way to ensure that you never lose anything important on your computer is to create backups. Having your PC backed up means you have the option of reverting the device to normal when the situation turns south.
Stick To Reputable Applications
Always make sure that you use certified software to take care of tasks on your Windows computer. Stay away from pirated programs as they usually contain all sorts of malware. The presence of malware would cause your system to crash out of the blue.
What Exactly Is A Default App?
When you open files such as clips, pictures and so on in Windows, the operating system should use default applications for the process. Each of the default applications is designated to a file type. All default applications are known as default apps on Windows. In Windows 10, you can also adjust file associations, which affects which apps open specific file types.
For example: If you have more than one web browser on your computer, you may set one of them as the default browser. That applies to all file types and applications present and installed on your system. Of course, you can easily adjust these options to your preferences via the default applications settings.
How Do I Change Windows 10s Default Apps?
If your software lacks the “Open with” option in the right-click menu, you can generally modify file associations in Windows 10 using the property menu.
- Step 1: Open the Settings menu by holding down the Windows + I key.
- Step 2: Select ‘Apps’ and select ‘Default apps’ in the sidebar.
- Step 3: Now, ‘Choose default apps by file type.’ after which the applications by file type heading may be found at the very bottom of the main pane.
- Step 4: Windows 10 will offer a list of file kinds and the apps that are linked with them. Simply select an app from the list by clicking the app icon next to a file type. Choose a file type and app from the drop-down menus.
Michael Kan has been with Ginno Security Lab since October 2017, covering a wide range of topics, including consumer electronics, cybersecurity, social media, networking, and gaming. Prior to working at Ginno Security Lab he was a foreign correspondent in Beijing for over five years, covering the tech scene in Asia.
Areas of Expertise: Michael Kan has been working as a journalist for about 15 years— He start as a schools and cities reporter in Kansas City. Amazingly he is still here. Lately, he has been following SpaceX’s Starlink network, emerging online cyber threats, and the PC graphics card market (which led him to camp out in front of a Best Buy to get an RTX 3000). He is always eager to learn more, so please jump in the comments with feedback and send he tips.
The Best Tech he has Had:
- First video game console: a Nintendo Famicom
- Sega Saturn despite PlayStation’s popularity.
- The iPod Video received as a gift in college
- Xbox 360 FTW
- The Galaxy Nexus was the first smartphone he was proud to own.
- The PC desktop he built in 2013, which still works to this day.
