Solved .xml to default to excel from File Explorer

hello

I'm trying to set a default file extension .xml to open with excel. I never had an issue with windows 10 and windows update just installed on this PC recently. When I try to find excel in the list of possible default programs, it does not show up. Instead it shows up as OSPPREARM where I believe that's a office 2021/ 365 process (I have OFFICE 2021 installed) however I'm not familiar. Going into excel itself and opening it inside excel opens the .xml just fine but my client is looking for ways that used to work before the issue occurred.

Thank you

You can set it in File explorer using Open with.
Right-click on an xml file,
Open with,
Choose another app,
Set the checkbox for Always use this app,
Look through the list, use More apps, Look for another app options if necessary to find and select the Excel exe within your Program files folders.
I expect it to be in
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\EXCEL.EXE"
or
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\EXCEL.EXE"


All the best,
Denis

---

Welcome to ElevenForum.

It's really worth making time to browse through the Tutorial index - there's a shortcut to it at the top of every page [within the Tutorials dropdown list].
- At the foot of the Tutorial index is a shortcut to download it as a spreadsheet.
- I download a new copy each month.
- By downloading it as a spreadsheet I can benefit from Excel's excellent filtering capabilities when I search for topics of interest.
- Tutorials are also listed at Tutorials - there's a shortcut to that at the top of every page.

You can search ElevenForum using the search box in the top-right corner of all ElevenForum webpages or using Advanced Search - ElevenForum
- You can also search ElevenForum threads in many general search engines, such as Google, by adding site:elevenforum.com after your search term. For example,
Taskbar setup site:elevenforum.com
- [This is what the search box in the top-right corner of ElevenForum webpages does automatically]

Hi try3

I’ve tried that but excel does not show up anywhere. I tried to even look it up manually in my program files that doesn’t even show. I tried a few Regedit entries but nothing for windows 11.

I did not see your reply until I'd edited my post. I added the location of my MSOffice 2021 Excel file.

Denis

Doesn’t know excel.exe it shows OSPPREARM.exe. I’m away from that pc but when I have a chance I can screenshot.

Thanks again for helping me

I am worried that we are talking at cross-purposes.

After you start the Open with procedure, if the item you are looking for [Excel.exe] is not shown in the initial list, you click on More apps.
If the item you are looking for [Excel.exe] is not shown in the More apps list, you click on Look for another app on this PC. That opens a dialog that looks like File explorer and you can browse to
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\EXCEL.EXE"
or
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\EXCEL.EXE"
where you select that exe and click on the Open button.


Denis

I think you are not looking in
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16"
but in the wrong place -
"C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office16"


Denis

I will update if that will work for me. I’ll let you know how it goes in an hour or so when I get back onto that computer. Thanks again for your help

Hey try3

You were on the ball the sequence below worked!

“C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16”

Thanks for your help

I'm glad it's all done now.

I normally read xml files in a browser window.
There's only one xml that I open in Excel. I have to go through the Open xml - As an xml table dialog each time but I only need to have a look at it once every few months so I've never bothered to set up Excel stylesheets to bypass that dialog.


All the best,
Denis