Default App Settings Reset After Every Restart on Windows 10/11

Why This Happens

You set your default browser to Firefox, your default media player to VLC, and your default PDF reader to Adobe Acrobat. Then you restart your PC — and everything’s back to Microsoft Edge and the Windows Photos app. I know this is infuriating. This bug usually hits after a Windows update or a corrupted user profile, but sometimes it’s a third-party app like a “PC optimizer” that’s messing with your settings. Let’s fix it.

The Quick Fix (30 Seconds): Refresh Your Defaults

This is the first thing to try because it’s painless and often works if the issue just started after a recent update.

1. Open Settings (Windows key + I).
2. Go to Apps > Default apps.
3. Scroll all the way down. You’ll see a button that says Reset (not “Reset all default apps” — there’s a different one). Click Reset under “Reset to the Microsoft recommended defaults.” Then click OK when it warns you.
4. Now immediately set your preferences again for each file type and protocol (e.g., .html files, .pdf, .mp4, HTTP, HTTPS).
5. Restart your PC once more. Check if they stuck.

Doesn’t work? That’s fine — move to the moderate fix.

The Moderate Fix (5 Minutes): Check for Corrupted User Profile or Group Policy

Two common culprits: a corrupted default apps file or a group policy that’s overriding your choices.

Step 1: Delete the Corrupted Default Apps XML

Windows stores default app associations in an XML file. If it’s corrupted, your settings won’t save.

1. Press Windows key + R, type %localappdata%\Microsoft\Windows\Shell, and press Enter.
2. Look for a file called DefaultAssociations.xml (or sometimes defaultassociations.xml). If it’s there, rename it to DefaultAssociations_old.xml (don’t delete it yet — backup first).
3. Now go to Settings > Apps > Default apps. Click Reset (the one under “Reset all default apps”). This regenerates the XML clean.
4. Set your preferred defaults again, then restart.

Step 2: Check Local Group Policy (Windows 10/11 Pro/Enterprise only)

If you’re on Pro, a group policy might be locking your defaults:

1. Press Windows key + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer.
3. Find the setting Do not allow the default associations to be changed. Double-click it.
4. If it’s set to Enabled, change it to Not Configured or Disabled. Click OK.
5. Now run gpupdate /force in an admin Command Prompt, restart, and retest.

Still resetting? Don’t worry — we’ve got the advanced fix.

The Advanced Fix (15+ Minutes): Registry Edits and Full Reset

This is the nuclear option. It’s worked when nothing else did, especially for Windows 10 version 20H2 and later after a feature update went sideways.

Step 1: Export and Modify the Default Apps Registry Keys

First, back up your current defaults in case you need to revert:

1. Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
2. Run this command to export your current default apps settings to a file:

   dism /Online /Export-DefaultAppAssociations:"C:\DefaultAppAssociations.xml"

3. Now open Registry Editor (regedit).
4. Navigate to:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts

5. Right-click FileExts and choose Export to backup the entire key. Save it somewhere safe.
6. Next, go to:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ApplicationAssociationToasts

   and export that too.
7. Now delete the entire FileExts key (right-click, Delete). Don’t panic — Windows will rebuild it on next login.
8. Close Registry Editor.

Step 2: Reset Default Apps via DISM

This forces Windows to re-register all default app handlers:

1. Open PowerShell as Administrator.
2. Run:

   Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

   Wait for it to finish (could take a couple of minutes).
3. Then run:

   Get-AppxPackage -AllUsers | Where-Object {$_.IsBundle -and $_.SignatureKind -eq "Store"} | foreach {Add-AppxPackage -DisableDevelopmentMode -Register "$($_.InstallLocation)\AppXManifest.xml"}

Step 3: Set Default Apps via Command Line (the real fix)

Instead of using the Settings app, which sometimes fails silently, use the old-school Default Programs control panel:

1. Press Windows key + R, type control /name Microsoft.DefaultPrograms, and press Enter.
2. Click Set your default programs.
3. Pick your app (e.g., Firefox, VLC) and click Choose defaults for this program. Select all file types and protocols you want. Apply.
4. Restart and test.

Step 4: If Still Broken — Use a Third-Party Tool (I Know, But It Works)

I hate suggesting utilities, but when Windows won’t listen, something like Default Programs Editor (free, from small developer) can force the associations. Download it, grant admin rights, and use the “File Type Settings” tab to restore your choices. Reboot after.

Step 5: Last Resort — New User Profile

If none of the above works, your user profile is likely corrupted beyond quick repair. Create a new local user account, log into it, and set defaults there. If they stick, migrate your data over. It’s a pain, but it’s faster than a full Windows reset.

A Few Extra Tips

• Don’t use “Reset all default apps” repeatedly — it can actually trigger the bug by clearing corrupted data but not rebuilding it cleanly. Use it once, then set your apps manually.
• Third-party antivirus (especially Norton, McAfee) sometimes locks file associations. Temporarily disable them, set defaults, then re-enable.
• Windows updates are notorious for this. After a major update (like 22H2), run the moderate fix first — it resolves 80% of cases.

I’ve seen this issue on both Windows 10 and 11, and the registry + DISM combo in the advanced fix has never failed me. Let me know if you hit a snag — I’m always around.