Two simple questions about unwilling Windows 10

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

  1. Posts : 128
    windows 10 64-bit "home"
       #1

    Two simple questions about unwilling Windows 10


    Hi,

    Recently upgraded to Win10. Several teething problems, like some incompatible software, mostly due to lack of adequate updating by the software maker or provider (a main culprit being Hewlett Packard, which was unable to adapt its central utility "Solution Centre" to Windows 10 - and even admitting it, saying that users must wait for a special MS update; however, I've given up waiting meanwhile). Otherwise everything works fine, except that I don't see much improvement over Win7 - and like the aesthetics of 7 more.

    However, I encountered two problems, for which I could not find a solution.

    1. Whatever I do, I cannot arrange for the lock-screen to do the slideshow, as much as I tried to set Settings correctly, and trying out other folders. When I do the settings, everything seems to work fine and I can check this by locking the session. However, after a reboot, the lock-screen returns to a single image... So, how can I overcome this quirk?

    2. Far worse, Windows insists on opening most of my graphics with its own viewing utility, even when file associations are set to other apps. It does the same with my pdf files, which it insists on opening with its so-called "Edge". Curiously, on a refresh of the large icons showing a thumbnail of the graphic, the icon of the associated app is shown. As for the pdf, it's the Edge icon which appears, before turning to the thumbnail of the 1st page.

    Can I perhaps tweak the registry (I am not afraid of doing this) so that associations go to the right app, and not to what the people at Microsoft believe to be better for me.

    Looking forward to a reply,

    Best

    haku
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #2

    Hi, file associations have always been for the users to choose. A change from Win 7, introduced in Win 8, is that programs can no longer set their own associations.

    There are several ways to set your defaults.

    The traditional control panel is still available
    (Windows key + X, Control Panel, Default Apps)
    - and this is useful when changing defaults via Win 10's Settings doesn't quite do the job- e.g. http for hyperlinks.

    Open with (in the right click context menu) is another way, as ever, albeit a bit different to what you're used to.

    Default Apps - Choose in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Forums

    Settings, search for 'default' is the Win 10 way.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #3

    The appearance needs work. You can see clever use of highly adapted high contrast themes in the Customisation section. Win 10 is very restricted in terms of how you can adapt it.

    However, with some work, you can do this, for example:
    Two simple questions about unwilling Windows 10-snap-2016-01-23-16.09.33.jpg
    - Quizo's Qttabbar to adapt explorer and control panel colours and add tabs
    - Aeroglass - borders, colours, transparency
    - a simple reg hack (well known) for many other areas
    (colour lost on resume from sleep etc unless supported by a trick I worked out)
    - Y'z shadow for drop shadows if wished.

    Icons - many set to Win 7's using Iconchanger + manual move of imageres.dll

    Start menu- Classic Shell (so you can use your normal start menu properly) and even have a Win 7 start button if you wish (still allows you to use the Win 10 start menu).
      My Computers


  4. Posts : 128
    windows 10 64-bit "home"
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Hello Dalchina,

    A great many thanks for the prompt reaction.

    Shame on me: I didn't even know that one could access a simple "start" of sorts by using Win-key+X. And of course, I ignored the existence of the "Default Apps" possibility for changing the associations.

    It takes some doing to change those associations: several retries with anything associated with that clunky photo app or the clunkier Edge - while any change occasions a great "revolution" on the desktop, what with icons coming and going, green line moving along, etc, due to a continuous refresh. But what's worse: Windows almost immediately reverts to its "own" apps afterwards - and on the "Default Apps" window, the association which was so painfully achieved, has gone back to the Win apps.

    What's even worse: all of a sudden, after doing the png-adobe reader association, the whole machine froze. After a while, strange things seemed to happen to the desktop. Characters changed to something looking like an old Arial Bold, all icons dispappeared and were replaced by black-and-grey squares, the background changed to black, etc. Task Manager showed enormous activity on all fronts. And when things calmed down, I had to reset the them of my desktop to what it was via Settings. Conclusion: I do not think that in Windows 10 it's very healthy to try to "force" it to do things it has decided otherwise. Goodness: it was a mess!

    However, I may have done something wrong... perhaps!

    The Qttabbar Quizo seems to work quite well. And also many thanks for that.

    Best regards

    haku
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #5

    Hi, you shouldn't find that associations change back like that. That said, there are some threads about people reporting associations reverting after restarting - yours sounds a different one I've not seen.

    This tends to be a permissions issue, perhaps resulting from your upgrade.

    You could try repairing registry permissions using Tweaking.com's cautious repair tool. However, you may end up deciding a clean install is the way to go...

    Note this way to set multiple associations at once:
    Two simple questions about unwilling Windows 10-snap-2016-01-23-17.21.20.jpg
    You can do the same thing from the traditional control panel and more.
      My Computers


  6. Posts : 128
    windows 10 64-bit "home"
    Thread Starter
       #6

    Hi again,

    And again thanks for following this so swiftly.

    Indeed, doing it the "simple" way seems to work... after some reluctance and temporary reverts. And then, again after a short while... reversion to the Windows ways for pdf (Edge) and jpg/png (Photo viewer).

    Tomorrow, I will try out the Tweaking.com utility to see what can be done. Reinstalling seems a bit over the top for such a simple thing - but I just did this with Adobe Reader - same (lack of) result.

    I'll keep you informed - and thanks again!

    haku
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 128
    windows 10 64-bit "home"
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Sigh.

    Whatever I do, whatever I tweak, Windows keeps reverting to its dreary "Photos" and/or "Edge" after a reboot.

    Still, thanks to all who took pains to reply to this ticket.

    H
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #8

    The other possibility is a permissions issue on your disk, assuming you've tried Tweaking.com's repair tool.
    Could you post screenshots of Properties, Security, for C:, for each user.

    Another thought to try would be to change the permissions, log off, log on, and see how they are affected, then if ok, try a restart.
      My Computers


  9. Posts : 128
    windows 10 64-bit "home"
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Thanks again. Will try that tomorrow. But what a hassle for such a simple thing!

    H
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 42,737
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #10

    Another thing to do is to look for solved threads- e.g association solved - also assocation reset etc etc.

    Here's one person who found a solution:
    I think I have found what was screwing with my file associations - I was using a very old version of WinZip (v12 from 2008). For some reason, opening WinZip made my desktop + taskbar icons flash and associations change back to default. Installing v20 x64 WinZip seems to have fixed things.

    I know people are going to say 'impossible' etc, so I did a before and after Camtasia video - you can see the icons flash. Here on YouTube (unlisted) -

    Old version WinZip causing problems in Windows 10 - YouTube

    So some installed programs can demonstrate some weird incompatibility- maybe 'cos they exploited programming loopholes now closed...???? who knows.

    This might suggest installing and running Sumo (free) - be sure to get the Lite or 'nork' version without adware- a great program updater. It scans your progs and identifies updates- although actually getting them is very untidy. (You may as well just search for the ones you're interested in).
      My Computers


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:25.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums