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?

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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
    2016-09-02T21:24:06+00:00

    The problem is that Excel 2016 does not recognize .xls files and no longer supports it. Windows 10 therefore does not allow an .xls file to be associated with Excel, instead it defaults to adobe or word or Microsoft edge. Excel will not  open these files, nor do any of the default programs.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-09-02T21:34:31+00:00

    That is inaccurate. Excel 2016 opens ALL Excel files under Windows 10. I DO IT EVERYDAY DAY! The fix was posted months ago. There was a problem initially but Microsoft has LONG fixed this.

    1. Shut down ALL your apps
    2. Open Excel 2016 (or ANY Office app such as Word, PPT, etc...)
    3. Click on File
    4. Click on Account (on the left pane)
    5. Click on Update Options
    6. Clip on Update now
    7. The update can take up to 30 minutes.
    8. At some point, the system will prompt you to close Excel 
    9. The update will resume. HAND OFF THE KEYBOARD!!!!!!!!
    10. When done, DO NOT open Excel or anything else.
    11. SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER (as in TURN OFF)
    12. Turn BACK ON
    13. DO NOT open Excel or ANY office app
    14. Go to your control Panel / Programs and Features or directly there
    15. Find Office
    16. Right click on Microsoft Office 2016
    17. Do a QUICK REPAIR (not a long repair)
    18. When done (can take up to 10 minutes) SHUT DOWN YOUR COMPUTER
    19. Restart. 
    20. Your Excel is now fixed.

    20 You are welcome

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-09-02T22:59:07+00:00

    Your post wasn't helpful to me as it didnt address the problem. My problem is the newest update and previous updates keep changing excel, office and many other default file settings. My icons are either rearranged or deleted. The last changed the location and listing type of the program menu and turned Onedrive back on. On and on and on.

    When an update changes the default excel setting so that excel files do not open, I believe that is a problem. Can you imagine how many man hours are wasted by millions of people doing your 20 step procedure after every update or the impact on business? 

    Microsoft can do a much better job to reduce the negative impact of continual updates on their customers. 

    Thank you.

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