Windows 10: Can't change default programs in Windows 10

This is on new Dell Latitude 5501's fresh out of the box, only after running the Microsoft Office 365 Cleanup Tool because Dell dumps 5 whole language versions of Office onto the systems with a faulty installation path, which completely screws up my deployment workflow.


Also after joining them to a Domain and after enjoying the initial Out-Of-Box Update Experience.


Using the Windows Control panel "Default Apps" the only setting I can successfully change is for web browser (to Chrome).


Attempting to set Outlook as default e-mail application and VLC as default video and audio player does not work. The icons of the applications appear in the list but clicking one causes the whole Control Panel window to suddenly and quietly close.


I found this thread from 2016 with a bunch of workarounds but no actual solution.

sfc does not help.

dism.exe does not help.

using the old interface is not possible in version 1903.

using the "open file" dialog is not a solution and won't allow changing of the default e-mail program.


The only actual solution I found was to invest lots of time and completely RESET WINDOWS (so that a "Windows.old" directory is created), but that's just a completely insane thing to have to do to computers which are literally brand new.


Is there any actual solution to this problem? Preferably one that avoids the huge waste of time of completely resetting windows?

:)

 

Changing Default program in Win 10 home

Hi Alan,

Thank you for posting your question in the Microsoft Community.

• As you sure that this program is successfully installed on the PC?
  

If the default protocol that you wish to change is not available in the Settings app, you can use Control Panel to change the default programs in Windows 10.

Follow these steps:

• Press the Windows key + X to get the menu.
  
• Click the ‘Control Panel’ and then click on ‘Default Programs’.
  
• Click on the option saying ‘Set Your Default Programs’.
  

Control Panel will find the installed apps and programs and display the list. You will see the list of installed program in the left pane and the right pane will contain a description of program, along with options that let you set the program as default
for files/protocols it can handle

Select the program that you wish to set as default, and then click on ‘Set this Program as Default’. This will set the program as default for files and protocols it can handle.

Hope this helps.

Let us know if you got the help you needed by clicking ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

Regards,

Srimadhwa B

Microsoft Community-Moderator

 

Windows 10 don't save change for default programs

Recently i been having alittle trouble getting my Windows 10 Pro to save how it opens my pictures on my computer, bcs i want to use Windows Photo Viewer instead of the new default photo application.

I notice that i got some "asian language" in the default for my picture files, anyone knows how i can get rid of that and when i select all and click save it doesn't really save this setting.





Scanned with KIS2016, Malwarebytes, Adwcleaner, HitmanPro, ESET Online Scanner

nuth major found other then some files i knew had some dirty in them.

 

Accidently changed default program for INDEX files Windows 10

Hello,

Microsoft has a reference where you may refer on regarding changing the default program in Window 10. We suggest that you check this

link out. This contains easy steps regarding your concern.

Feel free to post back if you need further assistance.