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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

100+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments
Answer accepted by question author
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

Was this answer helpful?

90+ people found this answer helpful.
0 comments No comments

470 additional answers

Sort by: Newest
  1. Anonymous
    2018-12-06T17:21:15+00:00

    Just to install Win10 and upgrade to Excel 2016. Find me could not open file .xls to default applications to open them now ... Adobe. Excel is not a available option in the default settings to open files .xls. I have been sent to the Shop and the selected applications may be set as default, but when you save the file under .xlsx, Excel will be bẻ khóa the open file. Bằng cách nào, điều này không có nghĩa là Excel is not a default for .xls files. Any help here?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  2. Anonymous
    2018-10-22T02:08:32+00:00

    Thanks, but it does not work

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments
  3. Anonymous
    2018-10-21T12:09:22+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

    I did this, and nothing changed.  .xls files are still tied to QuattroPro.  Any other ideas?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments No comments