Setting OfficeSuite as your default program in Windows 7

Setting OfficeSuite as your default program for file types such as .docx, .xls, .pdf will save you time and effort each time you need to open a file of that type. This can be done in two ways.

Start Menu

Windows has a special menu that is accessed through the Start menu designated to setting what file types are opened by which program. This is handy in cases when you have more than one program that handles a specific file type but you have a preferred one. It's used in the following way:

  1. Open the Default Programs menu from the Start button (the button on the bottom left with the Windows icon).
  2. Click Associate a file type or protocol with a program.
  3. A window will open, listing a large number of file types. Select the one you would like to change the default program to.
  4. Click Change program.
  5. Select the program you'd like to be the default for the selected file type. If the program you want to associate with the file type is not available in the suggested programs click Other Programs (If you don't see Other Programs, or your program is not listed, click Browse to find the desired program, and then click Open.). If the program you're looking for still isn't listed click the arrow next to Other Programs to see a list of programs installed on your computer.
  6. Click OK.

Right Click

While the Default Programs menu provides you with a list of all types for which you are able to select the default program, another approach is to set the default programs on a case by case basis. This is done in the following way:

  1. Right-click on the file you're trying to open and hover over the Open with menu. A context menu will appear on the side of the Open with menu, click on the Choose Default Program option.
  2. A new window will open featuring two lists, Recommended Programs and Other Programs. If, however, the program you need is not in either of those lists select the Browse option and search through your directories for the one you need. Selecting it will list it in either of the two lists of programs.
  3. If you'd like to set this program as the default for this specific type of file, check the box next to Always use the selected program to open this kind of file.
  4. Clicking the OK button after you've gone through the aforementioned steps will result in this file type always using the selected program. Its icon will likely change to visualize the change in association of the file.

We hope this guide was helpful, if you need further help with any of the multitude of options in OfficeSuite please have a look at the rest of the Help section.