How to Change the Default App for HTML Files in Windows 11

Learn how to change the default app for HTML files in Windows 11 using different methods, such as the Open With option, the Default Apps settings, and the Registry Editor.

HTML files are web pages that contain HyperText Markup Language code. They can be opened by various web browsers or text editors. By default, Windows 11 uses Microsoft Edge as the default app for HTML files. However, you may want to use a different app for various reasons, such as personal preference, compatibility, or functionality. In this article, we will show you how to change the default app for HTML files in Windows 11 using different methods.

Method 1: Use the Open With Option

One of the easiest ways to change the default app for HTML files is to use the Open With option in the File Explorer. This method allows you to quickly select an app from a list of available apps or browse for another app on your PC. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Locate an HTML file on your PC and right-click on it.
2. Select Open With > Choose Another App from the context menu.
3. A pop-up window will appear with a list of apps that can open HTML files. Select the app that you want to use as the default app and check the box that says “Always use this app to open .html files”.
4. Click OK to save the changes.

From now on, Windows 11 will use the app that you selected as the default app for HTML files. You can change it back at any time by repeating the same steps and selecting a different app.

Method 2: Use the Default Apps Settings

Another way to change the default app for HTML files is to use the Default Apps settings in Windows 11. This method allows you to search for a file type or a link type and change its default app. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Press Windows + I keys to open the Settings app.
2. Click on Apps in the sidebar and then click on Default Apps on the right pane.
3. Under the “Set a default for a file type or link type” section, type “.html” in the search box and press Enter.
4. You will see the current default app for HTML files below the search box. Click on it to change it.
5. A pop-up window will appear with a list of apps that can open HTML files. Select the app that you want to use as the default app and click OK.

Alternatively, you can also change the default app for HTML files by selecting an app from the list of installed apps on the Default Apps settings page. For example, if you want to use Google Chrome as the default app for HTML files, you can do the following:

1. Press Windows + I keys to open the Settings app.
2. Click on Apps in the sidebar and then click on Default Apps on the right pane.
3. Scroll down and find Google Chrome in the list of apps. Click on it to see its details.
4. Under the “Set defaults for this app” section, scroll down and find .html in the list of file types. Click on it to change it.
5. A pop-up window will appear with a list of apps that can open HTML files. Select Google Chrome as the default app and click OK.

Method 3: Use the Registry Editor

The third method to change the default app for HTML files is to use the Registry Editor. This method is more advanced and requires editing the Windows registry, which can be risky if done incorrectly. Therefore, we recommend that you back up your registry before proceeding and follow the steps carefully. Here are the steps to follow:

1. Press Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog box.
2. Type “regedit” (without quotes) and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
3. Navigate to the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts.html
4. Under the .html key, you will see a subkey named UserChoice. Right-click on it and select Delete. This will remove the current default app for HTML files.
5. Close the Registry Editor and restart your PC.
6. After restarting, locate an HTML file on your PC and right-click on it.
7. Select Open With > Choose Another App from the context menu.
8. A pop-up window will appear with a list of apps that can open HTML files. Select the app that you want to use as the default app and check the box that says “Always use this app to open .html files”.
9. Click OK to save the changes.

This method will also change the default app for HTML files in Windows 11. However, it is not recommended for beginners or users who are not comfortable with editing the registry.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question: How do I change the default app for all file types in Windows 11?

Answer: To change the default app for all file types in Windows 11, you can use the Default Apps settings in the Settings app. On the Default Apps settings page, you can select an app from the list of installed apps and click on “Set as default” to make it the default app for all file types and link types that it supports. Alternatively, you can also click on “Choose defaults by app” and select an app to see and change its default file types and link types.

Question: How do I reset the default apps in Windows 11?

Answer: To reset the default apps in Windows 11, you can use the Reset button in the Default Apps settings in the Settings app. On the Default Apps settings page, scroll down and find the “Reset to the Microsoft recommended defaults” section. Click on the Reset button to restore the default apps for all file types and link types in Windows 11.

Question: How do I change the default web browser in Windows 11?

Answer: To change the default web browser in Windows 11, you need to change the default app for each web-related file type and link type, such as .htm, .html, .shtml, .xht, .xhtml, HTTP, HTTPS, etc. You can do this by using the Default Apps settings in the Settings app and searching for each file type or link type and changing its default app. Alternatively, you can also use the Open With option in the File Explorer and select the web browser that you want to use as the default app for web-related files and links.

Summary

In this article, we have shown you how to change the default app for HTML files in Windows 11 using different methods, such as the Open With option, the Default Apps settings, and the Registry Editor. You can use any of these methods to change the default app for HTML files according to your preference and needs. However, we recommend that you use the first two methods as they are easier and safer than the third method, which involves editing the registry. We hope that this article has been helpful and informative for you.

Disclaimer: The author of this article is not affiliated with the source or the apps mentioned in this article. The author of this article is not responsible for any damages or losses caused by following the instructions in this article. The user should always exercise caution and discretion when changing the default app settings in Windows 11.