Forum Discussion

Xollom's avatar
Xollom
Iron Contributor
Jun 08, 2026

In Windows 11, this dialog box does not link directly to the Default Apps page in Settings.

When the system asks, How would you like to open this file?, it doesn't take you directly to the Settings → Apps → Default Apps page for the corresponding file type or protocol association. This interaction isn't very user-friendly. Is this due to technical limitations?

 

Application Management

2 Replies

  • Attila Matyas's avatar
    Attila Matyas
    Brass Contributor
    Jun 10, 2026

    Start>Settings>Apps>

    Or you type in search "Apps" then:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbtWcFxjrkg

  • Lukaeer's avatar
    Lukaeer
    Copper Contributor
    Jun 10, 2026

    So why doesn't the "Open with" dialog have a "Take me to Settings" button? The most direct answer comes from Microsoft's own compliance reports for the Digital Markets Act (DMA). The "Open with" dialog's current design is intended to give third-party apps a fair chance. It's set up to list newly installed apps with a "New" label and to present all options equally without pushing you toward Microsoft's own products . A direct link to the Settings app was likely removed to prevent the OS from steering users back to its own control panels, instead of letting the choice happen right in the moment.