Need to open .xls files with Excel 2016/Win10, default is now Adobe

Anonymous
2015-10-06T15:57:22+00:00
Please check out Office<br> documents don't open in the correct application <br>for the latest information on this topic.

Just installed Win10 and upgraded to Excel 2016. Find I can't open .xls files as default app to open them is now ...Adobe. Excel is not an available option in setting default apps to open .xls files. I got sent to the Store and the app I selected can be set as the default, but when I saved file as .xlsx, Excel balks about opening it. Somehow this doesn't make sense that Excel is not the default for .xls files. Any help here?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Excel | For home | Windows

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Anonymous
2015-10-06T20:05:58+00:00

Hi Darrell - Windows 10 puts you in control of which of your apps act as the default for file types, so we don't automatically take over the association (I guess you could imagine how much we'd upset a confirmed OpenOffice user if we did :-))

Easiest way to fix this:

Press the Windows key/select the Windows Icon in the start bar

Type "Default" - and search should then suggest: "Default Programs", select it

Wait for the applet to start and then select the "Set your default programs" choice

Find Excel 2016 in the list, select it, and then select "->Set this program as default"

Then sit back and enjoy Excel opening your workbook files!

Apologies for the somewhat long set of instructions, I feel we should award some kind of "dedication above and beyond the expected calls of duty" :-)

Hope this helps...pc

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Anonymous
2017-04-11T20:45:08+00:00

Hello! We've created a "Fix It" tool that may further assist if you're continuing to experiencing problems with file associations. You can learn more and access the tool here: Double-clicking an Office file fails to open it

Freya

Office Newsroom

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  1. Anonymous
    2019-02-13T02:26:52+00:00

    Since this question has been marked answered, actually there is effectively no one who is reading this question.

    FYI (on how this forum works):

    since this question has been marked answered it is considered closed. Basically, no one looks at new replies on it.

    If you have a similar problem, and there are no suggestions that work for you, you would be better served if you ask a new question rather than replying to this one. Include a complete description of your problem and the symptoms you see.

    If you have complaints about the quality of the "fine" support MS provides you should use the feedback process MS created. While essentially no one at MS reads this forum (officially at least), MS claims to read ALL submitted "feedbacks".   I have seen confirmation that MS actually does act on a few, a very select few, feedbacks.

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    Send Feedback to MS Developers: Launch Feedback Hub via  <WIN><F>

    “Official” MS does not pay much attention to this forum. However, you now can send your complaints and feature requests directly to MS developers and managers using the “Feedback” process described in this link:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_10-windows_install/send-feedback-to-ms-developers/506e7654-8ced-405b-911e-c58d8f253069

    Please post a share link to your feedback, back here, so other people who find your question will be able to vote for it and add their comments to it.

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  2. Anonymous
    2019-02-13T00:47:25+00:00

    Welcome to the club of people frustrated with Microsoft products & their total lack of support.  Is there no one from Microsoft who reads this or can help?

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  3. Anonymous
    2019-02-12T12:04:54+00:00

    The above solution did not work  I never was able to find the excel list to change the default.  Also my publisher files will not open with publisher or save in the correct format.  What has happened?  I am so frustrated. Help

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