How to Use WPS File Format Association on Windows

Use File Format Association in 6 topics on Windows, including entry access, compatibility settings, file association selection, save-format setup, and default-app protection; 6 topics are available without membership and 0 are membership-related.

How-to Index

How-to Guide

1. Open File Format Association settings

Entry path: Global Settings → Settings → File Format Association

1. Open the WPS desktop app.
2. Click the Global Settings button at the top right.
3. Select Settings.
4. In the settings page, click File Format Association.
5. Wait for the WPS Office Configuration Tool dialog to open.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The WPS Office Configuration Tool window is visible.
• Next action available: You can continue to compatibility settings, file associations, and default save format options.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: If you cannot find the entry, confirm that you are using the Windows desktop version of WPS Office.

2. Open it from Configuration and Repair Tool

Entry path: Global Settings → Configuration and Repair Tool

1. Open the WPS desktop app.
2. Click the Global Settings button at the top right.
3. Select Configuration and Repair Tool.
4. Wait for the WPS Office Configuration Tool dialog to open.
5. Check that the Compatibility Settings tab is displayed.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The configuration tool is open and the Compatibility Settings tab is shown.
• Next action available: You can directly set compatibility mode, file associations, and default save formats.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: Do not close the configuration window before saving your changes.

3. Set compatibility mode

Entry path: WPS Office Configuration Tool → Compatibility Settings → Compatibility Mode

1. Open the WPS Office Configuration Tool dialog.
2. In the Compatibility Settings tab, select WPS Office compatible with third-party systems and software.
3. Choose the compatibility mode you need, such as compatibility with Microsoft Office 2003, 2007, or 2010.
4. Click OK to save the setting.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The selected compatibility mode is checked and saved.
• Next action available: You can continue creating or opening files under the current compatibility preference.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: Before changing compatibility mode, confirm the file format requirements used by the people you work with.

4. Choose associated file types

Entry path: WPS Office Configuration Tool → Compatibility Settings → File Association List

1. Open the WPS Office Configuration Tool dialog.
2. In the file association list, select the file types that should open in WPS by default.
3. You can choose formats such as Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, images, e-books, CAD, email, archives, mind maps, and flowcharts.
4. Click OK to save the setting.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The selected file types are checked.
• Next action available: Double-clicking those file types can open them in WPS as the default app.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: If Windows does not apply the new behavior right away, check whether the system allows default-app changes on the device.

5. Set default save formats

Entry path: WPS Office Configuration Tool → Compatibility Settings → Default Save Format

1. Open the WPS Office Configuration Tool dialog.
2. In the default save format area, select the options you need.
3. You can set new Writer, Spreadsheet, and Presentation files to save as .docx, .xlsx, and .pptx by default.
4. Click OK to save the setting.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The default save format options are selected.
• Next action available: New files use the selected save format preference when saved.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: This setting affects new files going forward and does not convert existing files automatically.

6. Turn on default-app protection

Entry path: WPS Office Configuration Tool → Compatibility Settings → Default App Tamper Protection

1. Open the WPS Office Configuration Tool dialog.
2. In the Compatibility Settings tab, select Default App Tamper Protection.
3. Click OK to save the setting.
4. Later, check whether associated file types continue to open in WPS by default.

Success Criteria

• Interface result: The protection option is enabled and saved.
• Next action available: The default opening behavior for associated file types is more stable.

Tips While Using

• Common mistake: If Windows policy restricts default-app changes, you may still need to confirm the setting in Windows system settings.