Use the setting in the log out or restart dialog
Highlight this and a list of usable apps will appear, with the default one at the top. Now simply select the alternative app that you want to use and the file will open in that program instead. For example, you may have two or three different word processing type program, but you really want to use Preview to open document attachments that people send you in email. Your Mac may default to an app pre-defined by OS X, or you may have a program that is checked as the ‘default’ in the program settings. Click on the “Open with” tab. The Open with section shows the current app that this file type uses, and clicking on it reveals a drop-down menu that hosts the different application types you can choose. Click on it to reveal the drop-down menu. Select the application you want to use to open the file type.
When you log out of your Mac or restart it, deselect ”Reopen windows when logging back in” when prompted.
Or start up in safe mode, then restart normally. This doesn't change the setting, but your Mac forgets any windows that were open the last time you logged out or restarted.
If you deselect this setting and an app continues to open automatically:
- The app might be a login item. You can add or remove login items in Users & Groups preferences.
- The app might have installed its own startup software. Often this is controlled by a setting within the app. Check the app's preferences or documentation, or contact the app's developer.
Use the setting in General preferences
To prevent apps from remembering the windows they had open, choose Apple menu > System Preferences, click General, then select ”Close windows when quitting an app.”
Mac Open App As Admin
Or press and hold the Shift key while opening an app. This doesn't change the setting, but the app forgets any windows that were open the last time you quit the app.
Open Mac App Store
If these steps don't work for an app, the app might have its own setting for reopening windows. Check the app's preferences or documentation, or contact the app's developer.