Choosing a default program to open a certain file in Windows 10

Question

I would like to associate a certain file type with a default program.  I know how to find the place to do that in Control Panel.  My problem is that the program I would like to use (Excel, to open .dat files) is not on the list of suggested programs.  So I choose "look for another app on this PC".   I then choose the Microsoft Office folder, then the Office 15 folder (this is my only choice), but none of the MS Office programs are listed.  I've even tried changing from Program files to All files, but that didn't help.

Thanks to anyone who can point me in the right direction.

Answer 1

You will need to locate Excel.exe.

To locate this -

1. Open Excel
2. ALT+F11 to open VBA window
3. In Immediate Window (If this is not displayed, CTRL+G), type following and enter

? Application.Path

You will get where Excel.exe is located

Now, you can go through the steps which you have executed and select Excel.exe.

Answer 2

This isn't working for me. I am using Excel 2013, which I believe is an online program. I found the Excel.exe file under Microsoft 2015/root/office 2015 and I've tried telling it that's the file I want to open my spreadsheets with but I am getting the same message.

Answer 3

Thanks, that was very helpful!  I found it under the "Program Files (x86)" folder.