Change default media player

[Relztrah]

OS: Windows ME

I have three media players on my computer: Winamp, Windows Media Player and Gateway’s built-in CD player. I would prefer to use the Gateway CD player for CDs instead of the other two. But when I pop in a CD, Windows Media Player loads automatically. I don’t see anywhere to change my default media player. I am using WMP version 9.

[ErnieK]

RIGHT click the type of file you want to open. (You might have to hold down the ALT keywhen doing so) and choose OPEN WITH. Then search/browes for the file type you want to use and make sure that the ALWAYS USE box has a tick in it

[Relztrah]

All files on this CD (and presumably all CDs) are .cda files. I am not familiar with file extensions on sound files. I followed your instructions and ticked the ALWAYS USE box.

Ever since I upgraded Winamp to 5.0, for reasons I don't understand--and will reserve for another post--Windows Media Player has been doing strange things and I would prefer to use the Gateway CD player for CDs. For example, if I'm online and put a CD in the drive, WMP will launch and then open the Windows Media Web page and prompt me to listen to something there rather than play the CD. So if I want to listen to a CD, I have to make sure I'm offline first. In fact I'm temped to uninstall WMP and use Winamp exclusively for Internet radio and the Gateway CD player for CDs. With my slow dial-up connection I don't watch video anyway.

Thank you for your help.

[Paul Komski]

You can certainly set the default under WinXPsp1 and Win2Ksp3 for which see http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/shellcc/platform/shell/programmersguide/shell_adv/registeringapps.asp

Under WinXP the relevant registry key for setting the default media player is at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Clients\Media but I have my doubts that this will help with WinME.