Windows 10: Can't change default apps after moving them from dying HDD

Hi i moved some of my apps like music player or torrent client and i can't link them as default apps, i can still see old non-existent removed drive locations and when i choose new location windows does nothing, it won't let me choose new default app.Screenshots to quickly demo problem:SS1: i want to change default app, old location is still presentSS2: i double click/open new location of exeAnd after i double click as seen in SS2 i brings me back to SS1 screen without doing anything.I already tried sfc dism and other typical non-fixes like powershell commands recommended in other threads like

:)

 

How to change default app for file type

'Open With > Choose another app' has three step, in the first it only offers apps registered for that file type. If you click 'More apps' it lists all registered apps regardless of suitability. Both these steps have the tick-box for 'Always use...' in my 18363.752. The third step, if needed, is 'Look for another app on this PC'. The 'Always use...' must be ticked before taking this step if you want the change to stick. However, WMP appears at the second step.

For a quick look at a JPG almost anything (including WMP) is more practical than Photos which on my system takes more than ten seconds just to open a photo. The OP is probably not aware that the Windows Photo Viewer is still available in W10, but hidden away. That's my default viewer for JPG.


Restore Windows Photo Viewer in Windows 10

And, once enabled, is available in Settings > Apps > Default apps.

 

change "default app"

There are a couple of ways to change the default app setting for a program in Windows 11.

Method 1: Change the Default App Settings in Windows Settings

1. Open the Start menu and search for Default apps.
   
2. In the Default apps settings, scroll down to the By file type section.
   
3. Find the file type that you want to associate with a different app, and then click on it.
   
4. In the Choose an app window, select the app that you want to use as the default for that file type.
   
5. If the app that you want is not listed, click on More apps.
   
6. If the app that you want is still not listed, click on Look for an app in the Microsoft Store.
   
7. Once you have selected the app that you want, click on Set this default app.
   

Method 2: Change the Default App Settings in File Explorer

1. Open File Explorer and navigate to a file that has the file extension that you want to associate with a different app.
   
2. Right-click on the file and select Open with.
   
3. In the Open with window, select the app that you want to use as the default for that file type.
   
4. If you want to make this the default app for all files with the same extension, check the box next to Always use this app to open . (file extension).
   
5. Click on OK.
   

If you are unable to change the default app setting using either of these methods, you may need to delete the registry key that stores the default app settings for that file type. To do this, follow these steps:

1. Open the Registry Editor.
   
2. Navigate to the following key:
   

1. Find the file extension that you want to associate with a different app, and then delete the following key:
   

1. Close the Registry Editor.
   
2. Restart your computer.
   

Once you have restarted your computer, you should be able to change the default app setting for the program.

 

Cannot change the default apps by using control panel

Original Title: Cannot change default apps.

As said, I cannot change the default apps by using control panel > ... > Default Apps tab.

I cannot change any of the default programs. I use paint.net to edit/view photos and I cannot set it to the default program even though it is on the list, it does not change and i'm stuck with the default photo viewer. This happens with any other app actually,
I cannot change the default music player there, nor browser or anything.

I followed these steps as suggest by a microsoft engineer, post 2, and later on, no avail.

Redirecting

I refuse to use work arounds, I'd like a proper solution is possible, thank you.