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
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
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

470 additional answers

Sort by: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2015-10-10T21:48:22+00:00

    Thanks Dan - I think the interop assemblies tend to lag the release a little (we wait for the final bits to ship before going through the PIA generation, signing & verification pipeline) - I'm assuming that https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/15s06t57.aspx?f=255&MSPPError=-2147217396 will be updated as they become available.

    LMK if you need more info and I'll ping the developer team folks...

    Cheers...pc

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2015-10-11T21:31:08+00:00

    Aha! I guess I never tried to code an Office app for a newly-released version.

    Thanks. Rolled back to Office 2013 Pro on one of my Win 10 systems and all is working again -- including the default programs and all of the file associations.

    I'll re-upgrade later.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2015-10-19T19:27:55+00:00

    That would normally work, however, it isn't even listed as an option like is use to be

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments