Windows 10: Last update caused all custom file associations to reset to defaults

--- this is copied form my post
Network icon disappeared from Taskbar after Windows Update 1511 10586


RESOLUTION - uninstall KB3135173 and prevent

1. Uninstall the unwanted Windows Update.

In the settings window, search for "installed updates".
Right click on the unwanted update and uninstall.
Restart.

2. Prevent from being reinstalled.

Download and run "Show or hide updates" troubleshooter package
support.microsoft.com ... kb/3073930.


--- MY COMMENTS

It's the damndest thing. You would expect that the folks at Microsoft have tested this stuff before releasing it to the general public. I mean, they using are Win10 eh? What happens when their personal and work computers have these problems?

 

Perhaps the question is what the update is interacting with that causes the effect. Not everyone experiences this, so what makes the difference?

But it's far far too common. Bear in mind updates are cumulative, so you could experience the same thing with the next update. And some people who experience this have only one or 2 3rd party programs installed, which makes it even harder to understand.

From MS's point of view - can they possibly test all possible mixes of hardware, drivers and programs installed prior to releasing a particular update? No. But then there is the puzzle- I don't recall this ever happening in previous editions of Windows, which suggests some particular weakness in Win 10 or MS's testing..

 

> can they possibly test all ...
well no, it would be impossible for them to do it themselves

their customer service is SEVERELY lacking

at answers.microsoft.com, most of the responses from someone at MS are bad. the first thing they do is answer a question with another question. often the replies point to trouble shoot programs that are of no use

---
they could, and certainly should, use some sort of beta test

the best answers to problems are coming from other folks who experienced the same problem and have found solutions

 

I am also not expecting this, but the reset of file associations seem to happen randomly and is not dependent on any hardware configuration.

I see this happening randomly on really a lot of Windows 10 installations, specifically after the last patch day. Also Microsoft seems not to reset the associations to the defaults imported using XML, but they always reset to the default "modern" app. I recognize that Microsoft wants to push their modern apps but this is certainly ridiculous.

I also agree that Microsoft could reset the file association to something that works in case a default application is uninstalled but the process should be:
1. Reset the custom default set when the image was created (XML specification)
2. Reset to built-in modern apps if 1. is not available

And under no condition at all the associations should be rest if there is no problem with the user-selected application. In my case I use IrfanView x64 to browse pictures. Windows 10 claims that there was a problem with .png, .jpg, .jpeg... but does not tell anything what this problem is related to. Even more I am perfectly able to select IrfanView again without any problems.

So all this seems to boil down to a but where the only problem is not within the associated program but within Windows or within the mindset of Microsoft pushing modern apps. The latter is supported by the fact that Microsoft obviously "forgot" about the possibility to re-import the app associations from a backup to the CURRENT user account. First of all exporting the defaults require admin rights and re-importing is only possible to a Windows image and imports to the default user which only affects newly created user profiles - which get reset to default associations then on next patch day due to this bug. This is absolutely ridiculous.

The only way around this seems to be a group policy setting to enforce file associations. This enforces certain associations. But it's certainly a bad choice for shared PCs and does not provide the freedom of choosing custom applications by the user. So administrators can chose between users being auto-reset to Microsoft choice and forcing their own defaults. Both choices are dissatisfying for the user as in both choices the user can't use their own choices to persist.

 

i just bought a laptop a few days ago with the new 1511 on it
and had the same thing with the same kind of files...

even more... i can't change the icons...
i use VLC for mpeg files... did open with...
now everything i use it for is an mpeg file
i use MPC-HC for AVI... now everything is an AVI file...
i use irfan view for gif... now every image is a gif...

they want everyone to use their worthless apps...

 

You think this is what we have to put up with for Free upgrade?

 

Hi, a thought in your particular case: note that defaults cannot be properly set from within or by 3rd part programs. That has applied (very confusingly in my view) from Win 8.

The way that seems to work is that if you do so, the default applies until you restart. (Presumably re-reading the registry from disk?).

So you may wish to try setting the defaults the 'MS' way using Settings and/or the Control Panel, Default Programs, or Open With.

Notwithstanding that comment, what's being reported by some about Windows updates affecting some people's associations and them being reset once or repeatedly even though there's almost nothing installed seems presently inexplicable - from a user point of view.

 

MS admits problem with KB 3135173

Please see my post here with a possible reg fix (note the caveat).
MS admits Windows 10 Forced Update Resets Default Apps - Windows 10 Forums
However, you may well prefer to uninstall that update and hide it so it isn't reapplied. (See Tutorial section on how).

 

thank you... it worked...

i always used open with to set the default
cause like you said using the program to do it
doesn't seem to work anymore...
and ran into this...

so i used set associations in control panel
and it worked... i have separate files again...

strange it only seems to happen with pictures music and video...

 

Kowabunga! I just had this same happen to me a couple days ago. I wonder why now? But I'm still able to get at my pictures with no problem and the several pieces of music & videos I have on here, no problem. After reading through this 3 page document, I'm still at a loss as to what problems it should be causing me.

 

It will not cause any issue regarding your documents, data, images etc. however it resets your custom file associations to the defaults (Microsoft Apps) rather than your own choices. There are many reasons out there to use a different application than the ones Microsoft includes. Reasons such as performance, usability or just because you like the name of the application better than the Microsoft ones. The bottom line is that the reason for chosing another default application to view files, read mail or browse the internet is a user choice and Microsoft keeps deleting you personal preference over and over again. Being a bug or just pure abuse of their powers to force you using their built-in applications to collect more valuable user data is irrelevant. The fact that your user choice is reset to the default forces you to change the defaults back to your user choice again and again as often as this happens. Or you give up and use the default applications with potentially limited functionality, performance or any other reason why you don't like them. If you're entirely fine with the Microsoft built-in applications then there is no reason to even read this thread as you will stick to everything Microsoft will force you to use from now on. If Microsoft tomorrow decides to push another default to your machine or starts to collect valuable data regarding face recognition or similar things to the default apps you will still be happy to provide this data. For the rest of us it's just a slap in the face having to change the default app in the settings panel for each file type manually while Microsoft just keeps resetting all those choices in one shot whenever they like it. Of course without providing any functionality to export and re-import my choices, I need to go into the point-and-select hell every time they reset all my preferences. So I certainly waste something around half an hour each time to just select the appropriate application (yes, I prefer applications, not apps) for the most important file types. So yes, feel free to ignore this thread as Microsoft does and stick to whatever Microsoft thinks is best for you.

 

Oh my, SkyBeam!!! It would appear you're right on the edge of a black rage. As to my preferences, I am glad though I have your permission to, as you put it, "you will still be happy to provide this data" ... I will rephrase it from it from my perspective "I might be happy to provide this data!!!"
And my day has been made since you give me further permission to "ignore this thread" (I'm sure I haven't ignored it or I wouldn't have asked a simple question) and again "stick to whatever Microsoft thinks is best for you." (End quote)
My advice to you Skybeam, bow to Microsoft ... don't worry, be happy!!!!!!!

 

It seems to be a worthless update as far as I can tell. I have tested and verified that the Cumulative Update for Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems (KB3135173) does break custom file associations. In my case just using the setting applet to try and put them back as they were before the update seems to not work at all. I'm sick of Windows update doing things like this, and you know Microsoft is aware of this and many other problems they are creating. (Probably on purpose)

My solution was to simply remove the update using the uninstall Windows Updates option in control panel. Reboot the PC then completely disable Windows update in the services menu. After the update is removed the ability to set custom programs as default apps works normally. This might not work for some people as they feel that having Windows update turned completely off leaves them vulnerable to "attacks" and they might miss some fancy new feature (bolted on BS) from MS.

I see it the other way, having Windows update on opens me up to attacks, from Mircosoft directly. That just doesn't work for me and if this is the future of M$ I don't want any part of it.