Vista - Windows Media Player Default Program

Hello.
When i go to "default programs" and "set your default programs" Windows Media Player (The program in which id like to restore defaults) does not show.

I have also gone to a video file, right clicked, went to properties and "open with". I clicked "browse" to find media player. When i find it, and double click it, it returns to the screen, but does not show Media Player listed.

I know for a fact that Media Player is installed, i can open it.
Another thing i have noticed that "Windows Media Player" is not listed in "Programs and Features" in Control Panel.

Thanks
~Sazavar

Hello Sazavar, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Windows Media Player would not be listed in the "Programs and Features" since you cannot uninstall it.

Double check with the tutorial below to make sure that Windows Media Player is selected, and that "Enable access...." is checked instead of Internet Explorer as in the tutorial.

Internet Explorer - Restore or Remove from Default Programs

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Hmm...well, that did make Media Player my default...
But now when i try to open a video file an error message reads "c:\Users\\Videos\Pinball Wizard.avi" operation aborted. (Thats if i right click<Open with<Media Player)
If i double click, an hour glass shows momentarily and then nothing happens. No error message, but no Media Player.
I know for a fact that the video file works. I can view and hear it in windows Movie Maker.

Sazavar,

Does Windows Media Player work when you try to open any other audio or video file from it?

No. I get the same error message no matter what the file format is.
I have tried many video formats as well as audio.

And now, after making Media Player the default player, Windows Media Player wont even open.

One thing i have noticed is that after i boot my computer up, i can open files (video and audio) for a brief period, say 1 minute.

Sazavar,

You might see if doing a System Restore using a restore point dated when Windows Media Player worked can fix the problem for you.

I have done a system restore. That is when i could open files in Media Player, but it wasnt the default player, so nothing would open in it.

Then i made Media Player the default player, and now it wont open files, or open period.

Well, other than a reinstall of Vista, you can try a repair (upgrade) install.

Solution found.
It seems that WMP is still running even though i close it. I have to go to task mnger, processes, and end WMP there. Then i can open all the files i want to.

A full explanation, and where i found this information is...
windowsmedia Windows Media Player won't load

Thanks for all your help.

And 20,000 posts soon! Congrats!

LOL, always the one place we never checked.

I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted out. Thank you for posting back your results.

Wow, 20,000 already almost.