Solved media player opens as default for IE

[rdevo]

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?

 

[Arc]

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.

 

[rdevo]

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

 

[Brink]

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.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/19449-default-file-type-associations-restore.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[rdevo]

thanks Shawn I'll give it a go

 

[rdevo]

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

 

[Arc]

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.

 

[rdevo]

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

 

[Arc]

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

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

 

[rdevo]

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

 

[rdevo]

ps. I can't turn the media player off, it wont open a window to get me there, it only tries to open it in media player

 

[Arc]

rdevo mate, I have never used Toshiba, but the methods to restore factory settings are more or less the same. This guide should help you in restoring to factory settings : Toshiba Laptop - Reset to factory settings

 

[rdevo]

cheers mate I'll give it a go

 

[Arc]

cheers mate I'll give it a go

best of your luck

 

[rdevo]

no go

 

[Arc]

no go

Dont worry, I am asking for more help, some fresh and better ideas will be obtained to deal with it.

 

[rdevo]

good doogs, because i have no idea lol

 

[NoelDP]

I suspect that Norton is the basic problem here - but that doesn't expalin why a factory restore doesn't work.
What exactly happened when you attempted the recovery?

In the meantime, it sounds as if your default action for .exe files has been reset to WMP.
I would suggest resetting the default association using the following procedure

You can do this by creating a .REG file with these lines in it...

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe\OpenWithList]
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.exe\OpenWithProgids]
"exefile"=hex(0):

Use cut/paste to copy these five lines to an editor like Notepad and then save the file with a .REG file extension. Copy the file to the misbehaving machine and double click on it (or right click and select Merge). You will likely have to say OK to a number of different things (the user access control and the registry editor for certain) but afterward (and a restart to be certain) the system EXE association should come back.

 

[rdevo]

cheers Noel I'll let you know how i go

 

[rdevo]

the factory restore was from the hard drive, you hold down the zero key and start the computer, they say wait for it to beep, after 3 goes and 5 to 10 minutes of holding the key down, nothing happened