Un default Quicktime?

January 5, 2006 4:43 PM

Every time I download any media files (eg AVI, MPEG2, 4) it opens in Quicktime, which means I can't save it (not talking about streams here.) How do I change prefs in XP so that they open in Windows Media Player?
posted by A189Nut to computers & internet (9 comments total)

In Windows Media Player, go to "Options" on the Tools menu. Click on the File Types tab. Unless I'm missing some complexity, that'll do it.
posted by JMOZ at 4:48 PM on January 5, 2006

How to change file associations in Windows XP.
posted by Otis at 4:49 PM on January 5, 2006

Because A189Nut says they can't save the file, I'm guessing they're talking about when they open a media file link in their browser.

Are you using Firefox? If so, what does it report when you put about:plugins into the address bar?
posted by coach_mcguirk at 5:04 PM on January 5, 2006

Also, if you are indeed using firefox, this Mozillazine article is a great guide to fixing all your media association problems.
posted by coach_mcguirk at 5:08 PM on January 5, 2006

You need to run the Quicktime settings thing in the Control Panel. The section you want is under Browser -> MIME Settings. Remove a check-mark from all the filetypes you do not want to play in the browser.

Personally I remove every single last check mark in that screen except for "Quicktime movie". This means for example that those horrific web sites that embed .wav or .mp3 files to play when you visit them just give the "Plugin missing" thing in Firefox instead of actually playing anything -- this is a godsend!
posted by Rhomboid at 7:14 PM on January 5, 2006

You can also shift click on any .avi/.mpeg file in your desktop, select "Open With..", select "Choose Program", click the box at the bottom that says "Always Open With Selected Program" and choose Windows Media Player.
posted by sophist at 8:27 PM on January 5, 2006

in firefox 1.5, this should do the trick:

tools->options->downloads->download actions->view & edit actions.
posted by juv3nal at 10:34 PM on January 5, 2006

Not exactly sure what you're after here but...

Right click on the link that leads to the media and choose "Save Target As".

or

When the media is playing in the browser, right click on it and choose "Save As Source".

That should get them downloaded to your HD at least.
posted by ed\26h at 1:51 AM on January 6, 2006

I've had this problem as well. Quicktime seems to sporadically reset any of my fixed setting changes. I've never figured out how or why this happens.

ed\26 - right clicking doesn't work in some situations - redirection in particular results in you saving a php script rather than an mp3.

juv3nal's advice seems to work until quicktime hijacks things again.
posted by srboisvert at 7:54 AM on January 19, 2006