Windows 10: How to make a file type not have a default app

So I needed to open a .rar file for a Clip Studio Paint brush and accidentally chose to open it with VLC. It now has VLC set as the default to open all .rar files. I can change the default app in settings, but how do I make it not have a default? This is how it looks right now in the "Choose Default Apps by File Type" pageThis is how I want it to be.EDIT: Because of this, any time I download a brush pack with a .rar file it says the file type is "RAR other file VLC"

:)

 

How to change default app for file type

'Open With > Choose another app' has three step, in the first it only offers apps registered for that file type. If you click 'More apps' it lists all registered apps regardless of suitability. Both these steps have the tick-box for 'Always use...' in my 18363.752. The third step, if needed, is 'Look for another app on this PC'. The 'Always use...' must be ticked before taking this step if you want the change to stick. However, WMP appears at the second step.

For a quick look at a JPG almost anything (including WMP) is more practical than Photos which on my system takes more than ten seconds just to open a photo. The OP is probably not aware that the Windows Photo Viewer is still available in W10, but hidden away. That's my default viewer for JPG.


Restore Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10

And, once enabled, is available in Settings > Apps > Default apps.

 

How to change default app for file type

@Bree - yes, I'm quite aware of this thanks, but as you will see it's missing. I recall reading that clicking the dialogue at a certain point in blank space made it appear, and trying that once successfully, but doesn't seem to help now. Plenty of other similar reports of this option being missing.





'Fix' described here: (essentially unassociate the extension)
Windows 10 "Always use this app" checkbox missing - Super User

 

Unable to change default app by file type

Hi,



Thank you for writing to Microsoft Community Forums.



We appreciate your effort on this. We understand that you want to change the default app for GED files as Roots Magic, we will look into this for you. However, we would like to know the troubleshooting steps you have tried so far to avoid redundancy
of steps.



As you have mentioned that GED files are opened with Photoshop, we can try the troubleshooting steps mentioned below and check if that helps.



Method 1: Change default app using the file



Follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Navigate to the location where you have saved the GED files, right click on any of the file and select
   Properties.
   
2. Under Open with, click on
   Change.
   
3. Now, click on More apps, scroll down and look for Roots Magic application.
   
4. If Roots Magic is not available in the list then, click on
   Look for another app on this PC and select the application using the location.
   

Method 2: Change default app using Settings.



Follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Press Windows key + I, to open
   Settings.
   
2. Click on Apps.
   
3. Click on Default apps, on the left pane.
   
4. Now, click on Choose default apps by file type.
   
5. Scroll down, look for .GED file type and click on
   Choose a default.
   
6. Now, select the Roots Magic application.
   

If the issue persists, you may create a new user account and check if the issue persists in the new user account. Refer the steps mentioned in the article

Create a local user or administrator account in Windows 10 to create a new user account.



Please reply with the status of the issue, we will be glad to help you further.



Regards,

Nikhar Khare

Microsoft Community - Moderator