Setting the default video player in Windows 11 might sound deadset straightforward, but it’s a bit of a rigmarole. It’s not as simple as right-clicking and choosing “Set as default” like you might expect. Instead, you’ve gotta head into Settings, poke around a few menus, and hope you pick the right app. If you just want your favourite player—like VLC or MPC-HC—to always chuckle your videos open without stuffing about, here’s a proper Aussie guide based on actual experience.
How to Set Your Default Video Player in Windows 11
If a video file decides to open with Photos or Movies & TV instead of your preferred app, it’s probably because Windows has set a different default for that file type. To fix it, follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Open Settings
Hit Start, then click on the gear icon. Or just type Settings into the search bar and press Enter. As usual, Windows likes to make things a bit more complicated than they need to be, so sometimes the Settings menu feels hidden behind a few extra clicks.
Step 2: Go to Apps
Once in Settings, find and click Apps. This is basically where all your app stuff is sorted—think of it as the control centre for default settings.
Step 3: Select Default Apps
On the left side, click on Default Apps. Here you can assign which app opens which file type or link. It can look a bit cluttered, but don’t stress, you’ll get there.
Step 4: Find Your Video Extensions
Instead of scrolling through a massive list, just type the video extension you want to change—like .mp4 or .mkv—into the search box that says “Set defaults for file types or link types”. You’ll see the current default app listed next to it. Click on that app, then choose your favourite—VLC, MPC-HC, Daum PotPlayer, whatever floats your boat. You might see a prompt to choose multiple apps, but honestly, just pick the one you want to open that file type every time.
Step 5: Confirm & Test
Once you’ve set it, close the Settings window. Now, double-click a video file—ideally, it should open in your new chosen app. Sometimes, a quick reboot or logging out and back in helps the changes stick, especially on trickier setups.
And a quick heads-up—when you double-click a video for the first time after this, Windows might ask, “How do you want to open this?” Just select your preferred app and tick the box Always use this app. That’ll make sure it sticks.
Tips for Setting Your Default Video Player in Windows 11
- Make sure your preferred player is properly installed and functioning. Sometimes, the issue’s just a dodgy install or missing codecs.
- If you right-click a video file, try Open with > Choose another app. If you check Always use this app, it’s a quick way to set your default for that file.
- On some setups, changing defaults via file associations might not happen straight away. Restarting Explorer from Task Manager or a quick reboot can help.
- Aheads up: Windows 11 can sometimes ignore your defaults if another app nudges it to reset. Checking defaults now and then, especially after updates, is a good idea.
- If you’re keen to go full throttle, you can tweak registry entries or use third-party tools, but unless you’re comfortable fiddling with Windows deep down, better to stick to the standard way.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if my favourite player isn’t listed in the file type settings?
Double-check it’s installed properly and registered with Windows. Sometimes, a quick uninstall and reinstall of the player does the trick. Also, some players have their own protocols—like vlc:// links—that might need setting up separately.
Can I set default audio players the same way?
You bet! Just type in audio extensions like .mp3, .aac, or .wav in the default apps section. The process is pretty much the same—just pick your favourite music app instead of a video player.
Will changing defaults mess with my existing files?
Nah, it only affects how Windows opens new files—your old ones stay how they are. From now on, new files will open with your chosen app.
How do I revert back to Windows’ defaults if I wanna?
Just head back into Default Apps, find the file types, and set them back to Movies & TV or whatever default you prefer. Sometimes Windows resets defaults after updates, so worth double-checking now and again.
Quick tip: How do I access the defaults quickly?
Type default apps straight into the search bar—that’s faster than digging through menus every time.
Summary
- Open Settings, go to Apps, then Default Apps.
- Type the video extension you want to change.
- Select your favourite app from the list.
- Test it out by opening a video file—if it works, you’re laughing.
Hope this helps save you heaps of time. Windows defaults can be a bit dodgy, but with this, you can make sure your videos open in your go-to player. Worked a charm for me—hope it does for you too.