Windows 7: media player opens as default for IE

everytime i try to open IE or run a file windows media player opens as default and of course it can't run what i want. I have opened a new user account and i don't have this problem on it. but i need to get my original account running properly, any ideas please?

Welcome aboard, rdevo

You should try this : How to reinstall or repair Internet Explorer in Windows 7, Windows Vista, and Windows XP

Follow method 2 described there.

Thanks, I tried that and no luck, also I can't download any tools or fixes because they try to run in media player?

Hello rdevo, and welcome to Seven Forums.

If this happens for all .exe and shortcuts (.LNK) files, then you might see if downloading and merging these in the tutorial below to restore their default associations may help.

Default File Type Associations - Restore

Hope this helps,
Shawn

thanks Shawn I'll give it a go

ok I'm not sure I did it right but it did seem to fix things like the norton shortcut which was previously showing up as a notebook shortcut, I still have the same problem with media player. I think the extent of my abilities and knowledge has reached its limit. the ie shortcut shows as a media player shortcut

Have a check. Turn media player off, and see what happens. it might help us to find teh solution out.

Click the start button > in the search bar, type "windows features" (without quotes) > Click on the resulting link "turn windows features on and off" > Get the windows features window > expand media features > uncheck windows media player > ok.

now try to open IE, ans see what happens.

This is not a permanent solution, but will help us to find the solution out.

I tried that too, all it does is try to open in media player. thats the main problem i just can't get anything to open unless i search from the control panel

Even if the media player is off, it opens with media player ? Really strange !!!

I would suggest you to back your user data up externally, and restore the factory default.

I have backed up to a external hard drive through norton as the system wont backup using the normal windows settings. how do i restore the factory default? I really do appreciate your efforts btw