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Cannot set Word 2016 as default program for docx

I am setting Word 2016 as default program (or app, whatever) for opening docx files using "by file type" option in Settings (Win 10 Pro). When I check in "Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Default Programs\Set Default Programs" what files Word can open, it reverses to Word Viewer as default for docx.

In the new "Default apps", Word 2016 is not even listed as an option for docm, dochtml etc. Windows 10 Settings are so user unfriendly and buggy, it is laughable. Both Windows and Word are Microsoft products, why cant they get along?

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Hi,

Changing the default apps in Office 2016 can also be set through Settings. Based on the information that you've provided, we'd also like to know if you tried changing it in the Default app settings? To do this, type Default apps settings on the search bar, press Enter, go to the Default apps, and select Choose default apps by file type and Choose default apps by protocol. How did it go?

If the issue still persists, we'd like to know if you installed any programs prior to the issue and if you open a document recently on WordPad.

We'll keep an eye out for your response.

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If you go to Set Default Programs in Control Panel, you should be able to click the option that (re-)sets all of the defaults for Word.

Note that you can uninstall any viewer since you have the full version of Office.

Stefan Blom
Microsoft 365 Word MVP since 2005
Volunteer Moderator (Office)
MS 365, Win 11 Pro
~~~~
Please note that I do not work for Microsoft
MVP program info: https://mvp.microsoft.com/
~~~~

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Suddenly my docs are opening in Word Pad instead of Word (office 2016)

When I try to choose Word as a default program - that entire page is now blank...

help! O-:

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I have the same problem. the standard fix does not work. the other office programs have no issues.

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I have the same problem. the standard fix does not work. the other office programs have no issues.

If you right-click the icon for a *.docx file in File Explorer (called Windows Explorer in older versions of Windows) and choose Open With from the context menu, you should be able to choose Word and set it as the (new) default.

Stefan Blom
Microsoft 365 Word MVP since 2005
Volunteer Moderator (Office)
MS 365, Win 11 Pro
~~~~
Please note that I do not work for Microsoft
MVP program info: https://mvp.microsoft.com/
~~~~

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it keeps defaulting to Word Pad...

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that page does not even have Office/Word- listed

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xcel and Word Pad are on the list (MS Office programs) but Word is not.

I have MS Office

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There should be an option to browse for more programs. Note that the exact steps depend on your version of Windows. 
Stefan Blom
Microsoft 365 Word MVP since 2005
Volunteer Moderator (Office)
MS 365, Win 11 Pro
~~~~
Please note that I do not work for Microsoft
MVP program info: https://mvp.microsoft.com/
~~~~

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that wasn't even an answer...

win 7.

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Last updated January 17, 2024 Views 13,482 Applies to: