Why windows 11 change default apps?


I went to the registry location
I actually deleted the open with edge
Can reboot my computer for hours
I bet it fixed it
Thank you so much for your expert help

Dale
How do I send you a private message
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 22H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    i7
    Motherboard
    Envy
    Memory
    16gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel and Nvidia
    Sound Card
    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop
    Hard Drives
    1 NVMe pci Samsung Pro 1tb
    Internet Speed
    1gb
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium
I hope so. Give it a day or two and if it continues to work correctly you can close the thread.

To send any user here a PM click the little envelope to the right of your user name. Select 'start conversation' and enter their user name under recipient.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
I tried the net user administrator this morning
The administrator flashed but didn't stay on
Giving me the option to sign it
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 22H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    i7
    Motherboard
    Envy
    Memory
    16gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel and Nvidia
    Sound Card
    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop
    Hard Drives
    1 NVMe pci Samsung Pro 1tb
    Internet Speed
    1gb
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium
Since the administrator did work correctly
I fownloaded the latest MediaCreationTool
Created a usb drive
Made sure adobe was my default
Then did in place Windows Repair
Appears to be working correctly
I will let you know in couple of days

Thanks
Dale
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 22H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    i7
    Motherboard
    Envy
    Memory
    16gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel and Nvidia
    Sound Card
    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop
    Hard Drives
    1 NVMe pci Samsung Pro 1tb
    Internet Speed
    1gb
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium
Didnt work correctly
My bad
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 22H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    i7
    Motherboard
    Envy
    Memory
    16gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel and Nvidia
    Sound Card
    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop
    Hard Drives
    1 NVMe pci Samsung Pro 1tb
    Internet Speed
    1gb
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium
Sorry, I am slightly unclear here. Are you saying using the administrator account didn't work correctly or, or you saying a repair install didn't work correctly? If the administrator DID work correctly , your user account is corrupted. A repair upgrade will not fix any corruption in a user account. It only fixes problems caused by the OS. Please clarify this for me as I do not want to steer you in the wrong direction.
 
Last edited:

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
The administrator account flashed and then booted into my account
The in place repair fixed the adobe issue
How do I repair my main user account "Dale"
Didnt expect to hear from you today
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 11 22H2
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    HP
    CPU
    i7
    Motherboard
    Envy
    Memory
    16gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel and Nvidia
    Sound Card
    Realtec
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop
    Hard Drives
    1 NVMe pci Samsung Pro 1tb
    Internet Speed
    1gb
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Malwarebytes Premium
LOL-we've still got a communication problem with our wording. Sometimes I wish users could call each other.

If the inplace upgrade fixed Adobe, and you were never able to test using the administrator account, what issues still exist that make you feel that your user account is corrupted? Sorry, sometimes I have to be given a road map...in very small words.I'd be willing to bet the administrator wouldn't give you the option of logging in because you have set the computer to auto logon so you never see the signin screen.

Nevertheless, if you have reason to think your user account is corrupted, here's the procedure to resolve it.

Make a new user account:
Go to settings-accounts-family & other users. Make a new local user account with a new user name. (Be sure to make it an administrative account, NOT a standard account) To do this click the drop arrow to the right of newly established account and change account type to administrator.

NOTE: You cannot copy or move files directly from one user profile to another without running into permission problems so do this.

1. From your old account- Insert a usb or external drive. Create these folders on this drive. Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, Videos. COPY your personal files from your current user folders and PASTE them into these new folders.

2. Restart the computer and log in to newly created account. If windows automatically logs you into your old account, it's because you have auto logon set. You'll have to disable it first and try again.
To disable autologon- type netplwiz in search and select netplwiz run command in search results. Put a check in the box by 'users must enter a username and password to use this computer" Apply, OK
Now try logging into the new user account again.
( Windows will ask you to create a password and then build the desktop for the new account.)

3. COPY the files you saved to the external drive and PASTE them into the corresponding folders in the new account. Note-You can also copy shortcuts to apps, but shortcuts to files and folders will have to be rebuilt as their path will now be different.

In the new account you will have to change any personal settings you had made in the old account which is a pain in the rear, but it is what it is. When you get the new user account like you want it and verify that everything is working correctly, delete your old user account. (Settings-accounts-family and other users-select the old account-click the drop arrow to the right and remove.)

If you currently use a Microsoft account, you can change the new user account to a Microsoft account after the old account is deleted if you wish.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
Have you tried @Berton method?
right-click on file. Select Open with, scroll down to Choose a different app [even though the one I want is listed], click on the one desired then at the bottom of the list click on the box beside Always use this program
When it comes to default apps, that has always worked for me, except for a few times when there was a MAJOR Edge update it would change my default .pdf app back to Edge. Even then I could change it again and it would stick until another major update came down the pike.
It is not only because of the application that opens pdf files, Windows 11 has its own programs to open certain files, such as photos for images, movies and TV for multimedia files, and the file explorer itself to open compressed files. But I don't like those programs so I install Notepad++ for plain text files, AIMP to play audio, VLC to play videos, 7Zip for compressed files and Sumatra for PDF files and each of the files I change to run with the new programs installed and it works momentarily but after X days they automatically return to using the default Windows programs and that is very annoying because the configuration of the new programs is not saved so that they remain as default programs. Once again, I emphasize that if I change each file the new program that it must use to open, but then Windows changes them again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
@ecsa This is extremely puzzling, as I have no issues. Once I set my default apps by file type, they stay set, except very rarely an update may cause them to change back to MS default.
Default apps are set on a user basis, not a system basis. I suggest you try the suggestions given and things tried by the original poster of this thread. (sfc, inplace upgrade, create another user account or enable the hidden administrator account) to see if the issue follows.

If none of it works for you, then open your own thread and we will try to assist you further.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 26200.8655
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.8457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.8457
PDF files have been a real pain with PDF programs pretending to be the one to use, and then to find out they are a fake 3rd party with their hand out for money. I am just a home user, I have no use to spend money on programs I don't need often and used to come with Windows without have to deal with bad programs and flaky 3rd party money grabs.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Home built
    CPU
    i9-13900
    Motherboard
    ASUS Strix Z790-H
    Memory
    64 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 5070 TI OC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony 55"
    Hard Drives
    SSD
    PSU
    850 watt EVGA
    Case
    Cooler Master Haf 932
    Cooling
    CoolerMaster
    Keyboard
    RedDragon
    Mouse
    CoolerMaster
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    VR, Virtual Reality
One of these applications may be causing this error:
  • ❌ ObjectDock / ObjectDock Plus
  • ❌ StartAllBack
  • ❌ ExplorerPatcher
  • ❌ Start11 (old versions)
  • ❌ Classic Shell
  • ❌ Launchy / docks viejos
  • ❌ "Optimization" tools
  • ❌ Context Menu Tweakers
  • ❌ Antivirus with aggressive web protection

in my case it was caused by the ObjectDock

I disabling from the task manager, rebooted and then it already allowed me to change the default allication
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    windows 11 pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    asus tuf gamig
    CPU
    core i5
    Memory
    ssd 1tb 16 ramm
    Graphics Card(s)
    rtx 3050 ti
The OP has listed the operating system as Windows 11 version 22H2. Maybe there are old drivers and apps that also haven't been updated and may be an issue. Just a thought.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Professional
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microcenter B677
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-9400
    Motherboard
    ASRock H310CM-HDV/M.2
    Memory
    32GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Integrated Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Intel Kaby Lake - High Definition Audio / cAVS (Audio, Voice, Speech) [A0]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    LG Model: GSM59F1
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1080
    Case
    Lian Li 205M
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky AV
this has been an on/off issue since windows 10. you can try these two methods:

1 - save this as a .reg, run it and reboot

Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

;-------------------
;Microsoft.3DBuilder
;-------------------
;File Types: .stl, .3mf, .obj, .wrl, .ply, .fbx, .3ds, .dae, .dxf, .bmp
;... .jpg, .png, .tga
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppXvhc4p7vz4b485xfp46hhk3fq3grkdgjg]
"NoOpenWith"=""

;-------------------
;Microsoft Edge
;-------------------
;File Types: .htm, .html
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9]
"NoOpenWith"=""

;File Types: .pdf
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppXd4nrz8ff68srnhf9t5a8sbjyar1cr723]
"NoOpenWith"=""

;File Types: .svg
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppXde74bfzw9j31bzhcvsrxsyjnhhbq66cs]
"NoOpenWith"=""

;File Types: .xml
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppXcc58vyzkbjbs4ky0mxrmxf8278rk9b3t]
"NoOpenWith"=""

;-------------------
;Microsoft Photos
;-------------------
;File Types: .3g2,.3gp, .3gp2, .3gpp, .asf, .avi, .m2t, .m2ts, .m4v, .mkv
;... .mov, .mp4, mp4v, .mts, .tif, .tiff, .wmv
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppXk0g4vb8gvt7b93tg50ybcy892pge6jmt]
"NoOpenWith"=""

;File Types: Most Image File Types
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppX43hnxtbyyps62jhe9sqpdzxn1790zetc]
"NoOpenWith"=""

;File Types: .raw, .rwl, .rw2 and others
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppX9rkaq77s0jzh1tyccadx9ghba15r6t3h]
"NoOpenWith"=""

;-------------------
; Zune Music
;-------------------
;File Types: .aac, .adt, .adts ,.amr, .flac, .m3u, .m4a, .m4r, .mp3, .mpa
;.. .wav, .wma, .wpl, .zpl
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppXqj98qxeaynz6dv4459ayz6bnqxbyaqcs]
"NoOpenWith"=""

;-------------------
; Zune Video
;-------------------
;File Types: .3g2,.3gp, .3gpp, .avi, .divx, .m2t, .m2ts, .m4v, .mkv, .mod
;... .mov, .mp4, mp4v, .mpe, .mpeg, .mpg, .mpv2, .mts, .tod, .ts
;... .tts, .wm, .wmv, .xvid
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Classes\AppX6eg8h5sxqq90pv53845wmnbewywdqq5h]
"NoOpenWith"=""


2 - set your default apps like you want them. open command prompt as admin and run:
Code:
Dism.exe /Online /Export-DefaultAppAssociations:"C:\AppAssociations.xml"

save the .xml file wherever you want. make this .bat file (use the path you placed the .xml file at):
Code:
@ECHO OFF
TIMEOUT /T 10
Powershell -Command "Dism.exe /Online /Import-DefaultAppAssociations:'C:\AppAssociations.xml'"

create a shortcut to the .bat and place it in Shell:Startup. dont remember where i got the note from but worked.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro
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