Windows 10: How to enable "do you want to open or save this file" prompt in Microsoft Edge?

OS: Windows 10 64 bit

Browser: Edge & Chrome

Issue: Whenever click on a file it directly go to download and asking for location to save.

Requirement: Just want to open the file without saving to check space usage and if relevant then can save on another attempt or save as file option.

:)

 

Windows 10 prompt "How Do You Want To Open This File"

Hi Allen,

Welcome to Microsoft Community and Thank you for posting your query.

Let me assist you on this issue.

Few more details would help us to assist you better.

1. Do you get this message when you try to open a file?

2. If yes, what file format are you trying to open? ex:.pdf etc.,?

3. Do you get this message for all files?

4. Do you get any option/list to choose a program to open the file?

You may follow the below steps to set default apps for files.

• Open Control Panel (All Items View) and click on the Default Programs icon.
• Click on the Set your default programs link.
• In the left column, select (highlight) a listed program that you want to change it's default file associations for.
• To Set All of the Default Associations to the Program.
• Click on Set this program as default.
• Click on the Save button to apply.
• Click on OK.

Hope the information helps. Do reply if you need further assistance.

Thank you.

 

how do you want to open this file

How to Fix: Windows 10 Keeps Asking: 'How do you want to open this file?'
To avoid seeing the message "How do you want to open this file?", you will need to specify the program you want to use as the default, then make Windows 10 remember that file association permanently so it doesn't keep asking you "How do you want to open
this file?".

To do so:

• Open a file which invokes the
  "How do you want to open this file?" window.
• Scroll through the list of programs in the list available to you. If you don't see the correct program, scroll all the way down the list until you see a link which reads: "Look
  for another app on this PC". You will then need to manually scroll through your "c:\program files" or "c:\program files (x86)" directory(s) to choose the appropriate program. Once that has been done, you will be taken back to the "How do you want to open
  this file?" window.
  
  NOTE: if you scrolled through the "How do you want to open this file?" file list AND the "c:\program files" AND "c:\program files (x86)" directories AND you
  still don't see the proper program you want associated with your file: you may need to launch your web browser, then download and reinstall the appropriate program. For example: if I am trying to open a .PDF file and I want to use Foxit Reader as the
  default program, but Foxit Reader does not appear to be installed, then I would have to go online and search for Foxit Reader, download it, then reinstall it. Usually reinstalling a program will automatically reinstate its file association(s).
• One you have selected your default program, scroll all the way down the "How do you want to open this file?" window, and (!important!) check mark the box that says: "Always
  use this app to open [filename extension] files" (pic). Doing this last step will prevent Windows 10 from repeatedly asking you: "How do you want to open this file?"

Other Ways to Set File Associations in Windows 10
There are two other ways you can set file associations in Windows 10.

• Click Start, then type in "default programs" (no
  quotes), then scroll through the list and set the program. The only problem with this method is that you won't get the option to "Look for another app on this PC" if you don't see the program you're looking for. As such you might want to try option #2 below.
• Another way to set a file association is to browse the file using Windows Explorer, then right click the file, then select
  
  "Open With" option (pic) and then either select from the list of available choices, or select the option "Choose another app." In the latter option, you will then need to manually locate the program manually using Windows Explorer. If you still can't find
  the correct program to be associated with tie file, then you may need to launch your web browser, download the program and reinstall it.

I hope that helps.Mark this as answer if it helps

 

How DO You Want To Open This File/App? No Checkbox!

To better assist you with your concern, we suggest that you perform a clean boot by following the steps indicated on this
link. This is to isolate the issue if are there other programs that could cause your CPU process to go up
than usual. You perform these steps upon performing clean boot:

• Perform a clean boot.
• Restart the computer.
• Open your Edge and check your Task Manager.
• If there are no changes, enable on service and restart the computer and repeat the steps.

We'll be waiting on the results.

Regards.