How to change the default media player in Windows

Posted on May 18, 2009 at 5:15 am

So I have Windows XP and one thing that I don’t like is the fact that Windows Media Player is setup as the default media player for my music, videos, etc. I prefer to use other media players like GOM player or VLC media player to play my media.

VLC Media Player has many of the most popular codecs already built into the program, so you can watch practically any video file without having to download a codec pack. You can easily change the default media player in Windows XP by following these steps:

Step 1: Go to the folder where the file you want to play is stored. Now right-click on the file and choose Open With and then click on Choose Program.

image

Step 2: Now select the program you want to use to open the media file and make sure to check the Always use the selected program to open this kind of file box.

 image

Windows also has a feature under the Add/Remove Programs dialog that lets you set program access and defaults.

image

You can normally set the default web browser here to something other than Internet Explorer, but it does not give you the option to choose another media player, like VLC or GOM. It lets you choose the “current  media player”, but does not let you change the default media player for all files types.

You basically have to manually right-click on each file type and choose to open that file type with another media player. Annoying, but the only thing that can be done. If you know of any other way, post a comment! Enjoy!

» Filed Under Computer Tips

Related Posts

Comments

11 Responses to “How to change the default media player in Windows”

  1. onel_reyes said on : June 3rd, 2009 at 1:16 am

    If you want to make VLC player as a default media player or default music player, follow these simple steps.

    1. right-click any music file or video.

    2. Click properties

    3. Click Change and Choose the program VLC, Ok and Apply. There you go all of your music files are now automatically opened by VLC .


  2. Waldo said on : July 22nd, 2009 at 10:41 pm

    I am trying to watch videos online with Gom player using google chrome on an xp. When I right click, there is no option to open with in google chrome;however, there is in firefox.


  3. Rufus McDufus said on : September 27th, 2009 at 3:33 pm

    Your advice doesn’t work. My AVI files always open in Windows Media Player even though the system tells me that they are going to open in VLC. I’ve tried it from the Open with dialogue and from the File Types window in control panel. Nothing works. Even reinstalling VLC.


  4. Yuri said on : January 24th, 2010 at 7:23 pm

    Excellent post! I wanted to change my default media player to the much more advanced VLC media player. Thanks!


  5. Freya said on : February 14th, 2010 at 6:38 am

    THANKS a lot for this. It really helped me! tnx a million.


  6. Shannon said on : April 20th, 2010 at 11:54 am

    At the Desktop, open the Start menu and select Set Program Access and Defaults.
    Windows Vista:At the Desktop, open the Start menu and select Default Programs.

    Step 2

    Windows XP: At the Add or Remove Programs window, select Non-Microsoft.
    Windows Vista: At the Default Programs window, select Set your default programs.

    Step 3

    Windows XP: Find Media Player on the list and then select iTunes from the drop-down list. Click OK. You’re finished!
    Windows Vista: Select iTunes and then select Set this program as default. Click OK. You’re finished!


  7. akshay said on : April 25th, 2010 at 6:09 am

    I tried to change the media player to VLC, but it didn’t work in Windows Vista. What am I doing wrong?


  8. S.L..Ubeysiri said on : May 13th, 2010 at 10:29 pm

    With your clear instructions, I managed to change my default media player and it was very easy. I like to thank you for your service.


  9. Stebbi said on : June 14th, 2010 at 12:31 pm

    I had gone through my whole control panel before I googled it and ended up here. Thnx


  10. Patrick said on : November 7th, 2010 at 2:35 am

    I have changed to a different media program a hundred times (at least!), yet Windows Media Player runs every time I try to access an MP3 file by double-clicking on it. Video files work fine, and all other music files work correctly, too, but MP3 files will only default-start in WMP. Any idea how to solve this problem? Thanks.


  11. vangie said on : September 10th, 2011 at 9:29 am

    i took a video and it’s in vlc. I can view it but when i want to import it in movie maker, it refused. what can i do?
    Thanks in advance


Please post your comments/suggestions!