OpenWithGuard for Windows

OpenWithGuard

OpenWithGuard is a Windows desktop application that lets you choose which apps open file types and web links, then restores those choices if another program changes them.

Download for Windows See how it works

Windows 10 and 11 · 64-bit · administrator approval required

Installed OpenWithGuard application showing working protection and two active file rules — Screenshot taken from the installed English app on Windows 11.

What it does

Manage the apps Windows uses in one place.

Choose one app for a common file category, a single extension, or web links, see which choices are protected, and change them whenever you need to.

File associations

Protect a common file category in one click.

Choose Images, Archives, Audio, Video, PDF, Word, Spreadsheets, Presentations, Web pages, CAD drawings, 3D models, or E-books. Each category covers its own common formats, and clicking an app applies the protection immediately.

Web links

Keep web links in your preferred browser.

Select a browser already registered on your PC and protect that choice.

Local-first

Your rules stay on this PC.

Protection settings and recent activity are stored locally on the Windows device.

Strong protection

Repair file icons after another app changes them.

Optional strong protection watches for repeated icon-association changes.

Updates

Updates stay under your control.

The app may check release metadata automatically. Your first click downloads and verifies an update; after it is ready, your next click installs it.

Getting started

Protect a category or one extension in a few clicks.

Choose a quick category

Pick Images, Archives, Audio, Video, PDF, Word, Spreadsheets, Presentations, Web pages, CAD drawings, 3D models, or E-books without needing to know every extension.

Click one Windows app

The selected application takes effect immediately for the whole category.

Use Advanced for one extension

Enter a format such as .abc when needed. It uses one protection-item slot and also takes effect when you click an app.

Real app, real Windows data

These screenshots come from the installed app.

The English app is running on Windows 11 with protection enabled and the Windows application list loaded.

Choose common or custom file types.
Review the current Windows default before changing it.
Inspect real app identity, publisher, and version metadata.

Installed OpenWithGuard rule editor showing PDF applications detected on Windows — Live Windows catalog with the current default, executable metadata, and selectable applications.

Privacy

Your rules and files stay on your PC.

OpenWithGuard measures anonymous installations and app visibility. It does not send file contents, protected filenames, rule targets, executable paths, or Google profile data to PostHog.

On device

File rules, browser choices, preferences, and bounded opening activity.

Anonymous events

Install and window-show events with random installation ID and basic build information.

Google account

Google Sign-In is used only to create and access your OpenWithGuard account. Basic identity data is not used for product analytics.

Read the full Privacy Policy →

Before you download

A few things worth knowing.

OpenWithGuard never changes application associations without user approval. Users remain in control of all protected rules.

Does OpenWithGuard upload my files?

No. The product works with Windows registrations, file extensions, and local rules. File contents are not uploaded to provide protection.

Why does installation require administrator approval?

The per-machine installer places protection components where they are available consistently to Windows users and processes.

Can protection be paused?

Yes. Individual rules can be paused or deleted, and global protection can be turned off from the app.

Keep your defaults where you put them.

Download OpenWithGuard for 64-bit Windows.

Download for Windows