Windows Default app selector is soo Broken for Premiere Pro 2023

[CambrianBrain]

I have been unable to select Premiere Pro 2023 as the default app for PRPROJ files since last year.  It simply never shows up as an option. 

Naively I thought Microsoft would address this, but instead they have restricted the apps that can be added to the selection list to those that originate in "Microsoft Store", the same applies for Photoshop 2023.  Bizzarely, the default apps are now the Beta versions of these.

I've reinstalled everything multiple times, but it absolutely changes nothing.  Can anyone suggest a solution - would be willing to edit registry files if necessary.  I literally cannot use Premiere with After Effects or Audition, which is 50% of my workflow until I can get them to communicate with the 2023 files.  This seems a little off to have a bug that runs for so long, but I begin to suspect its actually a Windows feature not a bug!

Actively looking to migrate to MacOs but any solution in the meantime would be welcome.

[Ann Bens · Accepted solution]

Did you try:

right click on project file
Open with..
choose another app
If its not among the suggested apps,  schrol down
Choose an app on your pc
go into the root of premiere and select the exe.
Hit open
Hit always.

[CambrianBrain]

Yes.  Only the ones that appear in the initial list ever can be selected though.  If I use that method it reverts to one of the ones in the intial list - inevitable that is Premiere 21.  Its been like this since last year's updates.  Same for Photoshop.  Photoshop only ever opens with Beta version.  There is never an option to choose Photoshop 2023 in the list,    Nothing ever sticks, unless the option is on that initial list that Microsoft chooses to display.

Nothing else ever works. Its been like this for a year now.  I really can't believe they haven't fixed it because the entire Creative Cloud collapses if you can't use the dynamic linking capabilites.

I've heard there's is some sort of registry edit that can tackle the problem, but I want to exhaust all other possibilities because registry hacks always end up causing some difficulty in the very long term.

one of the .

[MyerPj · Accepted solution]

It sounds like an installation problem on your machine. I believe that list in your screenshot reflects apps that have been selected before. The More apps button, should lead to at the bottom 'Chose an app on your PC', which will open Explorer, navigate to Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Premiere Pro, then select 'Adobe Premiere Pro.exe' (app).

[CambrianBrain]

 I have no idea why this "help" forum states two solutions that clearly do not address the problem as "Correct Answers" because they are not.  I wonder if this is why the problem persists.  Someone asks a straightforward questions gets to more-obvious-than-can-be-humoured responses and these kindergarten solutions are marked as Solutions by -what an AI? Clowns that can't read a question?  What?  No these are NOT solutions.  These are statements of what they call in England the bloody obvious.  I have not been using Creative Cloud since it came out and Windows for 20 years to be trolled by kindergarten responses.  Why on earth would I speak of a Broken Windows in my title question if I want answers about how to click on a bloody box and navigate Explorer.

[CambrianBrain]

If any sensible individual who can actually take the trouble to READ the actual question that I have written has any suggestions I am still very much in need of a solution. I have received a couple of sensible replies where I have raised the query on other platforms and perhaps those will work, and perhaps not.  But any suggestions from someone who actually reads the questions would be welcome.

[MyerPj]

Wow!

Anyway, I read the question and answered with what I think your problem is, it's an installation issue. Go ahead an uninstall / reinstall. Do you need those older versions, PP2020 and 2022? Your Windows my not set the default program correctly if keeping those, it may leave it as status quo.

I don't know who set the correct answer, but your comments are really unhelpful.

[Ann Bens]

Sorry, I was trying to help a person whom I at first do not know the level of expertise.

Won't be following up.

Bye and good luck.

[CambrianBrain]

No, thanks for your response.  I am used to people asking for clarification.  Not mad at you at all.  Its still pretty infuriating when the site indicates an answer has been found when I am still struggling with the issue. 

Anyway I have a temporary solution of sorts, but it involved a series of registry hacks for the Creative Cloud file extensions, which is what I was trying to avoid.  Anyway thanks for your efforts.  I'm getting assistance elsewhere so hopefully a long term solution can be found.

[MyerPj]

I use this program when I need to:

https://defaultprogramseditor.com/

[NameTheJames]

Much appreciated, this worked! As a lifetime Mac user until recently I'm always amazed how many third-party solutions are needed to make Windows work well... but I'm very thankful to those developers who put them together and people who suggest them.

[NameTheJames]

Chiming in here to say I had this same issue with Premiere 2025. No matter how I tried to manually set .prproj files to open in 2025 by default, it would only give me 2023 and 2024 as options, even reverting back to 2024 when I had explicitly selected 2025 in the file explorer. Exactly what you said. @MyerPj below suggested this app and it did the trick for me. https://defaultprogramseditor.com/

[MyerPj]

I was thinking of this thread over the weekend, my 25.2 beta got set as the default program and I wanted to keep it as 25.0 the release version. I tried the windows stuff (from the settings app) and it didn't do it, so I just fired up Default Programs Editor

1) Click File Type Settings

2) Click Context Menu

3) In the search box enter .prproj

4) Double click the .prproj item in the selection list

5) Double click the Open command in the list

6) Change the path the version you want

7) Click <Next>, and then <Save Context Menu>

That's it, super useful: https://defaultprogramseditor.com/