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

2017-05-16T15:08:28+00:00

I recently bought a new computer and cannot get Excel to open up the .XLS files in Excel. Instead, they are opened in my PDF viewer. I have tried to change the app several different times using the suggestions above. Nothing has worked. Please advise.
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Anonymous

2017-05-16T23:13:42+00:00
Good day Charlie,

We can see here that you are having issues opening Excel files. To isolate this concern, we suggest that you perform the following:
1. Click on Start menu.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Select System.
4. Go to Default apps.
5. Click on Choose default apps by file type.
6. Select Excel (.xls).
7. Choose an app that you want to use in opening Excel files.
Doing the steps will change the default apps to .xls Excel files.

Feel free to post back should you have further concern.
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Anonymous

2017-05-19T00:55:26+00:00
Running Windows 10 Pro with Office 365 installed and kept my original Office 2007 installation.

I've tried everything to get Excel 2016 to open xls files, including this:
1. Click on Start menu.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Select System.
4. Go to Default apps.
5. Click on Choose default apps by file type.
6. Select Excel (.xls).
7. Choose an app that you want to use in opening Excel files.
Nothing works. Every time I click to open an xls file Excel 2007 opens. Even if I right click, choose Open With, select Excel 2016, remember for next time, Excel 2007 opens.

Every file association in Windows settings and Control Panel default programs is set to Excel 2016. Doesn't make the slightest bit of difference. Excel 2007 opens every time.

As others have mentioned, the layers of Windows 10 settings over the top of perfectly functional Control Panel functions is awful, frustrating, over-complicated and most likely the root of these persistent and farcical anomalies.
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