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General discussion

Program Access and Computer Default

by OzBo Jul 28, 2008 6:38PM PDT

Hi,
I have noticed that I cannot change "Set Program Access and Computer Default" under "Custom". It always goes back to "Use my current media player" (or whatever it is). Is there a reason for this behaviour?
Thanks in advance,
Bo

Discussion is locked

7 Posts
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I generally find
by Jimmy Greystone Jul 29, 2008 7:44AM PDT

I generally find it's just easier to let the individual programs set up those associations. The whole reason the program you're talking about exists, is because Microsoft was found guilty of abusing it's monopoly market position. Of course the settlement phase didn't happen until after Clinton was out of office and Bush took over, so Microsoft got away with barely a slap on the wrist. Namely, they included that little program, buried quite deep so few people will ever find it, and it really doesn't do much of anything.

So the moral of the story is, just let the programs themselves fight it out for which one gets control of certain content.

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"Use my current media player"...
by John.Wilkinson Jul 29, 2008 11:08AM PDT

That was worded to avoid confusion where some may think they are changing the default application, but can cause confusion itself. In short, if you set, say Windows Media Player, as your default player, it then becomes your 'current' (default) media player. Thus, you only need to select another application if you do not want the current default to remain the default.

Hope this helps,
John

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My settings are...
by OzBo Jul 29, 2008 6:24PM PDT

Thanks everyone for the replies.
My settings are actually "ask me every time". Does this make any difference?
Bo

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Default applications...
by John.Wilkinson Jul 30, 2008 12:10AM PDT

There actually is a difference. The previous setting you referred to is more of a global change, setting a default media player for the most common file types. "Ask me every time," on the other hand, is an option for individual file types, which can override the previous setting. Thus, if you set Windows Media Player as your default media player and then change the settings for MP3 to "ask me every time," WMAs, WAVs, etc. will always open with Windows Media Player while MP3s will prompt.

John

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I was wondering....
by OzBo Jul 30, 2008 7:14AM PDT

Thanks, but I was wondering if "Ask me every time" in AutoPlay can cause the default application not to be set in "Set program access and computer defaults"... It could be, as "Ask every time" basically means no default application. I did try though to set QuickPlay in AutoPlay as the default application, then I went to "Set program access and computer defaults" and tried to set Windows Media Center as default application, and it still didn't do it.
The reason why I wanted to do this is that I have an HP laptop with a remote control that came with it. After updating Vista to SP1, the Windows Media Center button on the remote stopped working, and according to a thread I found, it should start working again by setting it as the Default application in "Set program access and computer defaults", but I can't do it. I tried with AutoPlay, and with AutoPlay it worked (I mean I could change the settings), but it didn't fix the problem with the remote.
Bo

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Ah, AutoPlay...
by John.Wilkinson Jul 30, 2008 12:52PM PDT

"Set program access and computer defaults" refers to the default application based on file type. For instance, if you double-clicked a MP3 file, which application will load? AutoPlay, on the other hand, controls whether a CD/DVD is automatically explored/played/etc. when inserted and by what program. If the CD/DVD has already been inserted, or the content's on your hard drive or a network, you'll want to go Control Panel->Programs->Default Programs->Set Associations and change it for each specific file type.

Hope this helps,
John

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I know, but
by OzBo Jul 30, 2008 2:08PM PDT

Hi, thanks for the reply. I know the difference, but for some reason I can change the settings in AutoPlay, but not in the other one, no matter what I do.

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