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
    2017-05-25T09:44:01+00:00

    How likely is it that there's a problem with the app itself?!"  What people are reporting on this thread is that while Excel works perfectly normally, Windows 10 doesn't associate *.xls files with the product.  Instead, it pushes users to find something other than Excel in an app store.  Clearly something that needs fixing, and yet there's barely a sign that the problem has even been taken on board.

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  2. Anonymous
    2017-05-25T10:48:13+00:00

    I solved the issue on my PC.

    1. Change to show hidden files.
    2. Find excel.exe program files on your PC (for me it was here C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft Office\root\Office16)
    3. Right click on properties and select the Security tab
    4. Edit permissions for all paches and all restricted packages to allow full control.
    5. from start button find "default app settings" and click on "choose default applications by file type"
    6. scroll down to find .xls click of this and you should now see .xls app listed

    I have no clue whatsoever if this has other implications but anyway, it worked fine for me.  Perhaps Microsoft can comment on this solution.

    Good luck

    John Read

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  3. Anonymous
    2017-05-26T11:44:15+00:00

    Excel 2016 isn't an option.

    *sigh*

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