Can't choose default software / choices won't get saved

thiagocosta85 · 15 Dec 2016

Hello there... I know the fix for this issue.

So this is what the issue is, to be easy and clear.

When you go to Default Applications, There are many categories to choose default apps.

Default Browser, Default music player, ETC...

The problem is, you try to switch a default app, Example, switching from Edge browser to Chrome browser, The changes will not apply !

There is a simple way to fix this, with out reinstalling windows 10.

Travel to: Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\User Accounts

When you see your account, you need to edit it. There will be an option that says: Log in with Microsoft Account instead.

Done, click on that link, log in to your hotmail/ outlook/ or any microsoft email you may have. Finish the process, and reboot your machine.

DONE !!! Problem fixed !

The reason that caused this to happen to me, was, I was using a Windows Account to log in to windows. Then I switched to a Local Account (I dont remember why I did that)... Then, I updated windows (I don't remember with KB update it was), then I reinstalled chrome, since mine was bugged, and I could never set it to default again.

I switched back to log in with Microsoft Account, and it fixed the problem.

I don't know if this is the only way to duplicate the problem, but I am 100% sure, this is what caused it on my machine.

I hope this can help some one because this issue can be very frustrating. RIGHT?

Good luck guys.

FrankieSeZ · 29 Apr 2017

BadWulf said:

Thank you all this was driving me up the wall. A work around I found that sticks is to use the "set default by App" approach.

++++
1. Open "Settings"
2. Choose "System"
3. Select "Default apps"
4. Select "Set default by app" at the bottom
5. Select "Google Chrome"
6. Select "Choose defaults for this program"
7. Click "Select All"
8. Then "Save" The computer will indicate it is saving for about 2-4 seconds.
9. Click "Ok" and close out any windows associated with this process and your done.

And a full year after this post (lol) this problem persists with no official resolution from MS. It happened to me a few days ago and as predictable as a clock it resulted from the back and forth MS account vs local account sign ins.

However BadWulf's simple and STILL effective work around continues to resolve it. Thank you again sir. Your steps should be stickied somewhere as clearly the issue still exists. It's funny how the cause has been clearly outlined, easily tested and reproduced and still not fixed lol. The wonderful world of MS

MyD0j0 · 25 May 2017

I have this exact problem. It started today and I have never used a MS account to log into this machine because it's forbidden by my company.

It started immediately following the install of today's Libre Office update. Something else that happened, is that my eclipse Neon.3 IDE stopped launching. I've uninstalled Google Chrome, eclipse and Libre Office. I've re-installed them and run fine, except that pesky "can't set chrome as default" problem.

Again, I've never logged into this machine using a windows account of any kind. I would suggest that the Local vs MS account is just another symptom of the problem that, perhaps, has the ability to overwrite the actual problem.

Bobby Phoenix · 25 May 2017

MyD0j0 said:

I have this exact problem. It started today and I have never used a MS account to log into this machine because it's forbidden by my company.

It started immediately following the install of today's Libre Office update. Something else that happened, is that my eclipse Neon.3 IDE stopped launching. I've uninstalled Google Chrome, eclipse and Libre Office. I've re-installed them and run fine, except that pesky "can't set chrome as default" problem.

Again, I've never logged into this machine using a windows account of any kind. I would suggest that the Local vs MS account is just another symptom of the problem that, perhaps, has the ability to overwrite the actual problem.

I agree it doesn't have anything to do with the account type. One of my three computers (all are using MS accounts) started this after the CU. The easy fix for me was to try to select the app I want (say Chrome instead of Edge), click Chrome, but the app stays Edge, click the app icon again, choose Edge, Edge is default, click the app icon AGAIN, choose Chrome, and then it saves as Chrome. Did it for all the apps I wanted to change default for. PITA.

rosawoodsii · 28 May 2017

I find this resetting defaults just another reason to return to Windows 7. Perhaps it'll be fixed by the time W7 expires for good? Every day I have to reset defaults--PDF from MS to Adobe, music from Groove Music to VLC or WMP, ZIPS from MS to WinRAR, movies from MS default to VLC, photos from MS default to my preferred program. EVERY DAY! Come ON Microsoft! This is sloppy software to the max!

I came here for help, but apparently there isn't any. Terrific. I'm getting closer and closer to turning this piece of garbage into a Windows 7 machines.

dalchina · 29 May 2017

I can understand your frustration.

I came here for help, but apparently there isn't any.

We - as users- help voluntarily where we can. We are not MS staff so can't solve all problems- nor can MS staff from what I've seen sometimes.

It is not my experience that defaults are continually reset (I still use the Anniversary Edition, however), and that's true for the majority of people.

It seems this has recurred for some after installing the Creator's upgrade.

This is a detailed and perhaps useful discussion, and suggests a couple of tools for analysis:
Windows 10 default programs keep changing - Super User

I also suggest you look carefully at the programs you have installed, and make sure they are up to date as past experience has shown a couple of programs have this effect if out of date.

Either changes to your registry aren't being saved, or they are being rewritten. You could try creating a new user for test purposes and see if the problem still applies then. Similarly you can try a clean boot and see what happens then. Likewise Safe Mode.

If you can find a scenario where this does NOT happen, you have a base against which to make comparisons.
However that may not be feasible if the problem exists at a lower level and is independent of what's running.

rosawoodsii · 29 May 2017

I haven't applied the Creator's Update (though I keep getting notifications to change my privacy settings so it can be applied), so that's not the problem. Is there more than one?

I do have some older programs that I refuse to update, as the newer iterations are horrible, so if that's what the problem is, I guess I'll have to live with it. I have noticed that sometimes the program gets reset not to MS default, but to "choose a default". What's interesting is that when I try to do that, sometimes it will not let me choose; or rather, I click on the program I want, and it doesn't show up as the new default, so I choose again, and this might go on for up to 20 times before it finally wakes up and says, "Oh! you're doing something here! I guess I'd better pay attention."

Thanks for the suggestion of creating another user and for the link to the other thread. I'll check that out as well. It didn't show up when I searched previously.

Can't choose default software / choices won't get saved

It has nothing to do with Local/MS Account