No option to set default for media players

jjmonroe8 · 18 Apr 2017

Just recently (I think there was an update) there stopped being an option to set a media file type (AVI, WAV, etc)) to open with a certain media player. If I right clicked on a video and selected "open with" I would get a list of my players and an option to always use the player I chose as the default app for that file type. Now that option is gone and everything is defaulted to a windows app "Movies and TV" which cant play .mkv files. So I have to keep selecting the player to use rather than just set it as the default for mkv files. Why did they change this and can I change it back? Thanks

dalchina · 18 Apr 2017

Hi, unfortunately I don't know to which update you're referring (you can check your Update History in Settings) and don't know your Windows build.

I'm not aware of 'them' doing anything in particular with mkv files, but as I say, I don't have the Creator's build to compare.

I have the Anniversary Build 14393 not the Creator's Upgrade (latest), and on that basis suggest this:

No option to set default for media players-untitled.png

(Settings, Default, Choose .... for each type of file).

Brink · 18 Apr 2017

Hello JJ, :)

You should be able to use one of the options in the tutorial below to choose a default app to always open a file type with.

Choose Default Apps in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Apps Features Tutorials

jjmonroe8 · 18 Apr 2017

Brink said:

Hello JJ, :)

You should be able to use one of the options in the tutorial below to choose a default app to always open a file type with.

Choose Default Apps in Windows 10 - Windows 10 Apps Features Tutorials

Thank you both for the responses. The link that Brink sent me, the picture in Option#2, step 3, sub section C is what I'm all of a sudden missing. The check box for "always use this app to open such and such files". It's not an option anymore and I was just wondering why it would be removed.

Brink · 18 Apr 2017

Odd. Are you able to use Option 7 to set the default app for file types in the Control Panel?

dalchina · 18 Apr 2017

Thank you for a more precise definition of the problem.
Could you post a screenshot of what you're seeing, and is the same true for a range of file types?

You can try Settings, as I showed, or the Control Panel, Default Programs... as Brink suggests.

A quick search suggests this is not a common problem.
Windows 10 checkbox missing - Super User

jjmonroe8 · 18 Apr 2017

Brink said:

Odd. Are you able to use Option 7 to set the default app for file types in the Control Panel?

Yes I can do it that way.

Bree · 18 Apr 2017

jjmonroe8 said:

.... Now that option is gone and everything is defaulted to a windows app "Movies and TV" which cant play .mkv files.

Two comments: an update shouldn't have removed that option. I still have it - even after the upgrade to Creators.

Also, my Movies & TV can play .mkv files.

Have you recently installed any video-related apps that may have messed with codecs and/or defaults for videos?

dalchina · 18 Apr 2017

Could you post a screenshot of what you're seeing, and is the same true for a range of file types?

I presently understand this to be your problem (check box missing)

No option to set default for media players-snap-2017-04-18-18.56.43.jpg

- the reference to mkv being a consequence of this in that you can't use Open With to change default associations.

Do you have any useful system restore points? (There's no guarantee, however, that using one will necessarily help with this).

jjmonroe8 · 18 Apr 2017

dalchina said:

Could you post a screenshot of what you're seeing, and is the same true for a range of file types?

Do you have any useful system restore points? (There's no guarantee, however, that using one will necessarily help with this).

I don't know how to post screen shots, but it looks exactly like the one we mentioned in the link except the check box for "always use this app..." is missing