To make Windows Calendar the default calendar program on Windows 8.1 or Windows 7 computer

The instructions below are valid for the following operating systems: Windows 7, Windows Server 2008R2, Windows 8.1/8, Windows Server 2012/2012R2, Windows Server 2016, Windows 10 (version 1703 or earlier). For Windows 10 versions 1709, 1803 or later, see To make Windows Calendar the default calendar program on Windows 10 computer.

To open Default Programs page

1.     In Windows 8.1 or Windows 10 (version 1703 or earlier), right click the Start button, and then click Control Panel. On Windows 7, click the Start button, and then click Control Panel.

2.     In the Control Panel, click Programs, and then click Default Programs.

Choose defaults for Windows Calendar

1.     In the Control Panel, under Default Programs, click Set your default programs.

2.     In the list of programs, select Windows Calendar. Click Set this program as default to use Windows Calendar to open all file types and protocols it can open by default. Or click Choose defaults for this program to choose which file types and protocols Windows Calendar opens by default.

3.     Windows Calendar can be associated with .ics file extension and WEBCAL protocol.

Associate file types and protocols with Windows Calendar

1.     In the Control Panel, under Default Programs, click Associate a file type or protocol with a program.

2.     Make sure that .ics file extension and WEBCAL protocol are associated with Windows Calendar application. To change the default program, click the extension, click Change Program, and then select Windows Calendar.