Cannot set Photoshop as default app for .jpg on Windows 11 Home

Question

I can work around this issue which started several years ago, but it's still annoying. I do not have this issue with .psd or .tiff files. Properties for all .jpg files show "unknown application". Navigating to link .exe file does not work. Right click "open with" shows a photoshop.exe in the available app list (not a PS logo); but that doesn't work either. Images will open with MS Photos app, so files seem to be OK. I can drag and drop a .jpg into Photoshop as well. I can place them in InDesign. I have uninstalled and reinstalled the latest PS. I have shut down PC, not just restart. I have deleted preference folders in appsdata\roaming for old versions of PS. One note: the "open with" list shows a photoshopelementseditor.exe, but the Elements app is long gone and I can't find that .exe. Like I wrote, there's a workaround, but I would certainly like to just double click and have Photoshop appear as it should.

BlindMule · Accepted Answer

Thank you very much for your quick response and the tip about manually setting the default app. As it turned out, Photoshop was not even listed in the default apps. I Googled (again) and found my answer. I had to open the registry editor and modify the executable path to reflect the proper PS version (2025). Success! Again, much thanks.

Trevor.Dennis · Answer

Have you tried setting it in Windows Settings?

Settings > Apps > Default Apps > Choose by file type > click on box (my red arrow)

Choose Photoshop > Set Default

You might need to repeat this for .JPEG

You can also set defaults from Bridge Properties.

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