Windows 7: problem with Sysprep changing the default program for .mov files

I have a problem with Sysprep changing the default program for .mov files (and other Apple files) from Quicktime or VLC to Windows Media Player.

I'm looking for a way to change these settings back after Sysprep is complete using either a .reg file or a VBS script. (I've tried using an AutoIT script before to navigate through menus and it didn't work right.)

I've used ProcessMonitor to watch what keys and values are changed when I reclaim those files for VLC. The only values I see changed are in:

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\Media\VLC\Capabilities\FileAssociations]

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts]

I merge these key branches back into the registry with a regedit /s command, but the file associations aren't reset. Is there someplace I'm missing?

Hello Feenst, and welcome to Seven Forums.

You could download and merge the MOV option in the tutorial below to restore the default associations for the .mov file extenstion if you like.

Default File Type Associations - Restore

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Hi Shawn,

I ran and merged that .reg file and I get an error message from Windows Media Player when I click a .mov link:

"Windows Media Player cannot play that file. The Player might not support the file type or might not support the codec that was used to compress the file."

So, I want to use VLC to play these files.

If I go to Start > Control Panel > Default Programs > VLC media player > Choose Defaults for This Program and click "Select All" and save the changes, VLC is able to open the file.

I've had Process Monitor running while I did this and the only keys where RegSetValue is applied are:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts]
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\Media\VLC\Capabilities\FileAssociations]

I've also checked the HKCR keys in the registry after I've changed the default associations in the GUI. Those keys don't appear to change from their WMP associations.

As long as VLC is used to open the MOV by default, then you are good to go. Normally the ProgID DWORD at the location below in the registry is where it would have been changed at to be VLC though.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.mov\UserChoice

That DWORD seems to do the trick. Now I need to figure out how to get those keys into the registry via script.

A regedit /s brings up a UAC prompt. I've got an AutoIT script using the RunAs function that can run regedit /s without the UAC prompt, but it uses the Administrator environment variables. So the registry changes aren't applied to the HKCU branch of the logged-in user.

I'll create a new thread on this issue.

Does it need to be done via script instead of just exporting the UserChoice key at that location for a REG file to use?

I can export the key branch without a problem. I want to be able to import the key into the registry on about 100 machines.

A "regedit /s" command triggers the UAC prompt on the system. I've used an AutoIT script in the past to get around UAC prompts when I'm merging .reg files, but the AutoIT script I have switches the environment to Administrator. So when I merge the registry files, it doesn't go into the registry branch for the logged-in user. The registry changes go into the User branch for "Administrator."

I think I've got around this by using a .vbs script and the RegWrite function.