How to Change Default Video Player in Windows 10

This guide shows you how to change the default video player in Windows 10, so your videos open in the app you prefer—like VLC, MPC-HC, or another player—instead of the built-in Movies & TV app. No special tools are needed; you only need the video player you want to use already installed on your PC.

What You’ll Need

A video player installed (e.g., VLC Media Player, Media Player Classic, or any other player that supports file associations).
Windows 10 with administrator access (usually the standard account can change defaults).

Step-by-Step

Open Windows Settings. Click the Start button (Windows icon) in the bottom-left corner, then click the gear icon (Settings). Alternatively, press Windows key + I on your keyboard.
Go to Apps. In the Settings window, click on Apps (the icon with a briefcase and an app grid).
Select Default apps. In the left sidebar, click Default apps.
Find the Video player section. Scroll down the list of default apps until you see Video player. It will show the current default (e.g., “Movies & TV”).
Click on the current default. Click the box under “Video player”. A small menu will pop up listing all compatible apps installed on your system.
Choose your preferred player. Click on the player you want to use (e.g., VLC). The selection will close, and the new player will now be set as the default for video files.
Verify the change. Double-click any video file (like an .mp4 or .mkv) to confirm it opens in your chosen player. If it doesn’t, you may need to also change file type associations (see Troubleshooting below).

Common Mistakes

Not setting file type associations. Changing the “Video player” default only affects common video extensions. Some niche formats (like .avi, .flv, or .webm) might still open in the old app. You need to set associations for each file type individually.
Choosing an app that isn’t installed. The list only shows apps that are installed. If you haven’t installed your desired player yet, it won’t appear. Install it first, then repeat the steps.
Overlooking the “Always use this app” checkbox. When you first open a video file with a new player, Windows may ask “How do you want to open this file?” If you don’t check “Always use this app”, it will only open that one time.

Tips

Use the “Set defaults by app” option. In the Default apps settings, scroll down and click “Set defaults by app”. This lets you see all apps and assign every file type they support at once—more thorough than the quick method.
Right-click a video file for a quick change. Right-click any video file, choose “Open with”, then “Choose another app”. Check “Always use this app” and pick your player. This works for that specific file type.
Reset to Windows default. If you ever want to go back, click the “Reset” button at the top of the Default apps page. This restores all Microsoft defaults, including Movies & TV for videos.
Keep your player updated. Some players (like VLC) update their file associations during installation. If you change defaults later, an update might revert them—just repeat the steps.

Troubleshooting

My chosen player doesn’t appear in the list. Make sure it’s properly installed. If it’s a portable version (no installer), it won’t register itself. Install the full version. If it still doesn’t show, try restarting Windows or reinstalling the player.

Videos still open in the old player. This usually means the specific file type isn’t covered by the “Video player” setting. Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, scroll to the bottom, click “Choose default applications by file type”, find the extension (e.g., .mp4), and change it to your preferred player.

Windows keeps asking which app to use. This happens when no default is set for that file type. In the “Choose default applications by file type” screen, select your player for that extension. If it’s a rare format, you may need to install a codec pack or use a player that supports it.

My player opens but videos don’t play correctly. This is not a default-setting issue. Check that your player is up to date and that you have the necessary codecs. For VLC, most formats work out of the box; for others, you might need to install codecs like K-Lite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I set different players for different video formats?
A: Yes. Use the “Choose default applications by file type” option and assign a different player for each extension (e.g., VLC for .mp4, MPC-HC for .mkv).

Q: Will this affect videos I play from a web browser?
A: No. Browser video playback is controlled by browser settings and plugins, not Windows default apps. This only affects files you open locally.

Q: How do I change the default player back to Movies & TV?
A: Go to Settings > Apps > Default apps, click on the current video player, and select “Movies & TV”. Or use the “Reset” button to restore all Windows defaults.

Q: Does this work for audio files too?
A: The steps are similar. In Default apps, you’ll see a “Music player” section. Change it the same way, and also set file type associations for audio extensions.

Q: Why does Windows sometimes override my default player after an update?
A: Windows updates occasionally reset default apps. After a major update, check your defaults and reapply your preferences. You can also set a specific player to “Default” in its own settings, but Windows may still ask.

Q: Can I make a portable app the default player?
A: Generally no, because portable apps don’t register file associations in the Windows registry. You can try using a portable app that includes a “Register as default” option, but it’s not guaranteed to work.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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