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

Anonymous

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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?

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Anonymous

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

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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470 additional answers

Anonymous

2016-01-09T20:08:44+00:00

Jeffrey, first off, please drop the caps. This is a user supported community. We try to help others without any monetary gain. So using caps and strong language only promotes adverse comments. Now - let's see if we can help you out.

1.      Close out EVERYTHING on your screen (even browsers, office docs, EVERYTHING)

2.      Go to CONTROL PANEL

3.      Click on Programs and

4.      Find Microsoft Office 2016 (or Professional - whichever your version is)

4a. You DID close out EVERYTHING on your desktop except for Control Panel right?

4b. Uninstall your 7-Zip program - for now)

5.      Now RIGHT CLICK on Microsoft Office and select QUICK REPAIR - DO NOT SELECT FULL REPAIR

6.      DO NOT try to open anything after the quick repair

7.      Turn OFF your PC - do a standard SHUTDOWN - not a reset.

8.      Now turn back on your PC

9.      ALL your file associations now work and everything works correctly

If all works - then try to re-install your Zip Program - if it breaks the association, you will know the culprit.

Best to you and happy new year!
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Anonymous

2016-01-11T23:37:34+00:00

I have recently installed Office 2016 Professional, and I just noticed that some of the file extensions for previous versions of Office do NOT appear in the registry. Once I created the file types in the registry, I was able to set the appropriate default app with which to open the file.

File Types I found missing - but not restricted to the following

.xls

.mdb

.accdb
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Anonymous

2016-01-12T08:26:15+00:00

Thank you a lot

my problem solved after weeks from searching to solve this issue after updating my PC to window 10 and office 365 version 2016.
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