Can you automate changing default application for a file type?

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  1. Posts : 275
    Windows 10
       #1

    Can you automate changing default application for a file type?


    I have an application (WPS Office) which repeatedly hijacks the default application setting for PDF away from Acrobat Reader to itself. I don't want this and it wastes a good deal of my time as I keep on setting it back to where it should be. Is there a way, such as a scheduled script, to periodically set the default application for PDF back to Acrobat Reader?
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  2. Posts : 56,804
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #2

    ricecrispies said:
    I have an application (WPS Office) which repeatedly hijacks the default application setting for PDF away from Acrobat Reader to itself. I don't want this and it wastes a good deal of my time as I keep on setting it back to where it should be. Is there a way, such as a scheduled script, to periodically set the default application for PDF back to Acrobat Reader?
    How are you manually setting it back to Acrobat Reader? Thru the Reader app? Try this to see if it will stick better.

    Scroll down till you see the .pdf, right click whatever app it's assigned to, and change it. I have it at Firefox for now. Choose Acrobat in the dropdown list.

    Can you automate changing default application for a file type?-2019-04-17_17h32_43.png
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  3. Posts : 275
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    f14tomcat said:
    How are you manually setting it back to Acrobat Reader? Thru the Reader app? Try this to see if it will stick better.
    Scroll down till you see the .pdf, right click whatever app it's assigned to, and change it. I have it at Firefox for now. Choose Acrobat in the dropdown list.
    That's what I've already been doing. It's time-consuming and irritating.
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  4. Posts : 56,804
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #4

    This is from their site:

    How to Make WPS Office as Default on Your PC

    Can you automate changing default application for a file type?-2019-04-17_17h52_59.png

    Can you go in there and fix it? I'm not familiar with the app.
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  5. Posts : 275
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    That's the opposite of what I want! WPS Office automatically makes itself the default pdf handler already. There is no way within the app to stop this behaviour. That's why I'm trying to find out if I can perhaps write a Powershell script and run it as a scheduled task every day or every hour to set the default pdf handler back to Acrobat Reader.
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  6. Posts : 56,804
    Multi-boot Windows 10/11 - RTM, RP, Beta, and Insider
       #6

    ricecrispies said:
    That's the opposite of what I want! WPS Office automatically makes itself the default pdf handler already. There is no way within the app to stop this behaviour. That's why I'm trying to find out if I can perhaps write a Powershell script and run it as a scheduled task every day or every hour to set the default pdf handler back to Acrobat Reader.
    Sorry, you may have misunderstood. That screenshot is from their website, not from me. It shows the ability to change the defaults in their app. That pic simply shows it as checked off, therefore the default PDF reader. I was asking if you could go into the app's default screens and un-check it to make it not the default. If your version does not have what their web site says, maybe there is an update or other documentation. I know you are trying to un-do the app being the default, this is all I could find. I'm not using it and not familiar with the screens available. Hope I've been clearer this time.
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  7. Posts : 275
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #7

    f14tomcat said:
    Sorry, you may have misunderstood. That screenshot is from their website, not from me. It shows the ability to change the defaults in their app. That pic simply shows it as checked off, therefore the default PDF reader. I was asking if you could go into the app's default screens and un-check it to make it not the default. If your version does not have what their web site says, maybe there is an update or other documentation. I know you are trying to un-do the app being the default, this is all I could find. I'm not using it and not familiar with the screens available. Hope I've been clearer this time.
    Sorry, I see what you mean now. Unfortunately the pdf box is already unchecked, so I'm going to need a way outside of the application to fix this.
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  8. Posts : 42,634
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #8

    I have WPS installed and pdf set to Sumatra. I've never seen a change such as you describe occur, although I suppose it's possible you have a different edition of WPS office.

    If you set the default to Acrobat, when do you see the change occur? On restart? After running WPS office? At some other time?

    The default association should be evident in the icon shown for a pdf.
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  9. Posts : 275
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #9

    dalchina said:
    I have WPS installed and pdf set to Sumatra. I've never seen a change such as you describe occur, although I suppose it's possible you have a different edition of WPS office.

    If you set the default to Acrobat, when do you see the change occur? On restart? After running WPS office? At some other time?

    The default association should be evident in the icon shown for a pdf.
    I don't know exactly when the change occurs. Just now I tried setting the default application to Acrobat Reader and then launching WPS Writer and the default application didn't change.
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  10. Posts : 42,634
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #10

    What's your Windows build? (Win key + r, winver). (Sadly still not a forum requirement).

    Try restarting... and if it changes, try disabling fast startup if enabled and repeat the process.
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