File associations revert to Windows default apps on every boot

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  1. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       #1

    File associations revert to Windows default apps on every boot


    Every time I reboot, the file associations for images (jpg/png), media (mp3/wav/mp4/mkv) revert back to the default Microsoft apps. I prefer to use VLC for videos, Winamp for audio and Irfanview for images, and it's getting really annoying having to set all my file associations every time I boot up. This never happened on Win7 or 8. Has anyone experienced this before and/or know a fix?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 5,169
    64bit Win 10 Pro ver 21H2
       #2

    The following tutorial shows seven different ways of associating apps with file extensions. Maybe you should try one or two of the alternative methods to see if they work better for you (e.g. choose by protocol)

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5...dows-10-a.html
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #3

    philc43 said:
    The following tutorial shows seven different ways of associating apps with file extensions. Maybe you should try one or two of the alternative methods to see if they work better for you.

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/5...dows-10-a.html
    Thanks for the reply, I have seen this article and tried a few methods to change my associations, all of which work, but only for several hours. The problem is that the associations I make are un-done by some Microsoft process. And I was wrong in my OP - Turns out it happens without a reboot! Seemingly randomly all my file associations change back to the Windows default apps.
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  4. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #4

    Hi, does this change happen e.g. after resuming from sleep or hibernation? (Of course it shouldn't change..)

    Experiment:
    It would be interesting to try to determine if the associations being reset is correlated with any other change to the registry being reversed at the same time. E.g. placement of an icon on the desktop. Try moving one, noting its position, and changing an association. When the association is reversed, inspect your desktop (you may need to refresh it or maybe restart explorer).

    Suggestion:
    Try (as an experiment) disabling fast startup.
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 298
    Win-10 Pro x64
       #5

    Hey djxdj-

    I was also having a similar issue for a while. I use images often, and I was continuously getting that 'open with' window to select the program to use. I was finally able to get things fixed by manually selecting the file association, while within the "Set Program Associations" section.

    If you follow philc43's link and scroll down to section #6 (6. To Choose Defaults for Selected Program- subsection B) you can see how to do that if you're unaware.

    b1rd
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #6

    b1rd said:
    Hey djxdj-

    I was also having a similar issue for a while. I use images often, and I was continuously getting that 'open with' window to select the program to use. I was finally able to get things fixed by manually selecting the file association, while within the "Set Program Associations" section.

    If you follow philc43's link and scroll down to section #6 (6. To Choose Defaults for Selected Program- subsection B) you can see how to do that if you're unaware.

    b1rd
    Thanks guys, I am setting the default apps successfully, and everything works as I want for a while. Images open in irfanview, music plays in Winamp, videos in VLC. But then I leave my computer for a few hours, and when I come back, images once again open in the Windows Photos app, music opens in Groove Music, and videos open in Windows Movies & TV app.

    It's like my defaults stick for a few hours and then somehow revert to the Microsoft defaults.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 5,169
    64bit Win 10 Pro ver 21H2
       #7

    Here's a thought - do you have Sync your settings ON for your PC and do you have another windows 10 system running with your Microsoft account? I'm thinking that Microsoft is somehow picking up your defaults from another source and changing them.
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  8. Posts : 3
    Windows 10
       #8

    djxdj said:
    Every time I reboot, the file associations for images (jpg/png), media (mp3/wav/mp4/mkv) revert back to the default Microsoft apps. I prefer to use VLC for videos, Winamp for audio and Irfanview for images, and it's getting really annoying having to set all my file associations every time I boot up. This never happened on Win7 or 8. Has anyone experienced this before and/or know a fix?
    The same problem for me. Do you use an old version of WinZip? I found that every time I launch this program, the JPEG association reverts to default.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 42,735
    Win 10 Pro (22H2) (2nd PC is 22H2)
       #9

    Winzip (old version) is one program that has been reported as having this effect.
    It might be reasonable to think other programs could equally have such an effect.
    Elsewhere I've suggested using the free SUMO update checker to scan installed programs and update them where reasonable.

    (Use the version labelled Lite or 'nork' to avoid adware - 'Related Knowledge' - otherwise it's the most comprehensive update scanner around)
      My Computers


  10. Posts : 1
    Windows 10 v1511 build 10586.71
       #10

    dalchina said:
    Winzip (old version) is one program that has been reported as having this effect.
    It might be reasonable to think other programs could equally have such an effect.
    Elsewhere I've suggested using the free SUMO update checker to scan installed programs and update them where reasonable.
    I have been frustrated by this same issue, Groove Music kept hijacking files with adt extension. I am able to set the default program using Control Panel or Settings and it would work for a while and then change back again.
    After reading this, I proved that it is WinZip (mine is v17.5) that is causing the problem.
    As soon as I opened a file with WinZip, the file extension for adt reverts to Groove
      My Computer


 

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