There are a variety of ways to open a file on Microsoft Windows, depending on the type of file you are attempting to open and which version of the Windows operating system you are using.
Opening a File from the Desktop
The most straightforward and common way to open a file is by double-clicking its icon directly from the Windows desktop. All files in Windows are associated with a specific program that is set as the default for opening that particular file type. When you double-click an icon, it will automatically open in the default program set for that file type.
Using the File Explorer Window
Alternatively, you can open a file inside an application through the File Explorer window. To use this method, first open the File Explorer window by either clicking the File Explorer icon on the taskbar or by pressing the Windows key and typing File Explorer into the search field. Navigate to the folder that contains the file you want to open, either by double-clicking folders in the left pane or by entering the location of the file in the address bar at the top. Once you’ve found the file, you can double-click it and it will open in the default program for that file type.
Using the Open Dialog Box
Another way to open a file is to use the application’s Open dialog box, which allows you to navigate to a specific file to open. This is usually done by clicking the File menu in the application’s main window, selecting Open, and then navigating to the file you want to open. This method works for any type of file and allows you to choose the program in which to open the file if the default program is not the one you want to use.
Using the Run Dialog Box
If you know the exact location of a file, you can also open it directly from the Run dialog box. To use this method, press the Windows key and R at the same time to open the Run dialog box. Then enter the location of the file in the text field and click OK. The file will open in the default program set for that file type.
Changing File Associations
If you want to open a file in a different program than the one it is associated with, you can change the file association so that the desired program opens when you double-click the file. To do this, right-click the file, select Properties, and then click the Change button next to “Opens with.” Select the desired program from the list and click OK to save the changes. From then on, any time you double-click the file, it will open in the new program.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are numerous methods for opening a file on Microsoft Windows, depending on your particular needs and the type of file you are trying to open. The simplest method is to double-click the file icon directly from the desktop, while more advanced methods involve using the File Explorer, the Open dialog box, or the Run dialog box. Finally, you can also change the file association so that a file opens in a different program than the one it is associated with by default.