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
    2017-01-15T22:14:03+00:00

    Hi

    Tried your suggestion...Still not working...I have to download a excel mobile version to open .xls file...

    In the default app list, I can't find Excel 2016.

    Please help.

    Thanks

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-01-16T20:50:47+00:00

    We definitely need an enduring fix from Microsoft.  One that does not require Quick Office Repair or Online Repair.  I also attempted to set via regedit file type associations, from this KB:  https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/162059 but have been unsuccessful.

    When performing a Quick Repair, the issue appears again after a few days.  I am uncertain which Office versions this affects, but I am on Office 2007.

    Other than perform Office Quick repair/Online repair, is there anything else that Microsoft can provide as a long-term fix?

    If it is a legacy file issue, where some .XLS files are the culprit (that then triggers how Excel handles them in newer versions), what type of conversion is needed on the client side?

    Thank you.

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-01-17T15:37:03+00:00

    This fix did not work for me. I have Windows 10 and Office (I own the software but use Office 365 for mail routed to my Outlook).

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