The fastest way to change your default video player

Open the Settings app by pressing Windows key + I, then go to Apps in the left menu and select Default apps. Scroll down until you see your current video player listed — it will show the file types it handles, like .mp4 or .mkv. Click on it, choose a different player from the list that appears, and Windows will switch all those file types to open with your new choice.

If the player you want is not in that list, you may need to install it first. Windows 11 comes with Movies & TV as the default, but you can read VLC, Media Player Classic, or others from the Microsoft Store or directly from the developer's website. Once installed, the new player should appear in the default apps menu.

You can also change individual file types instead of switching everything at once. In the same Default apps menu, scroll further down to see File type associations. Click on a specific format like .mp4 or .avi, and choose which player opens it. This way you can use one player for music videos and another for home recordings, if you prefer.

Key Takeaways

  • The Settings app's Default apps menu is where you change which player opens video files across Windows 11.
  • You can switch all video formats to a new player at once, or change individual file types one by one.
  • If your preferred player does not appear in the list, install it first from the Microsoft Store or the developer's website.
  • Windows 11 comes with Movies & TV as the default video player, but you can replace it with any installed alternative.

Changing the default through file properties

Right-click any video file on your computer and select Open with, then Choose another app. A window will open showing installed players. Select the one you want, then check the box that says Always use this app to open [file type] before clicking Open. Windows will remember your choice for that file type from then on.

This method works for a single file type at a time. If you right-click an .mp4 file and set it to open with VLC, only .mp4 files will switch — your .mkv files will still use the old player unless you repeat the process for them. Use this approach when you want fine control over which player handles which format.

What to do if a player does not appear in the list

Some video players, especially older ones or those installed from outside the Microsoft Store, may not show up in the default apps menu. If you have installed a player but cannot find it, restart your computer first — Windows sometimes needs a restart to recognize newly installed software.

If the restart does not help, the player may not be registered with Windows properly. Check the player's settings or preferences menu for an option like Set as default or Register file associations. VLC, for example, has this option under Tools > Preferences > Video. Some players also include an installer option to register themselves when you first set them up.

As a last resort, you can uninstall the player and reinstall it, making sure to choose the option during installation that lets it register as a default player. If the player still does not appear, it may not support being set as a default in Windows 11, and you may need to use a different player instead.

Switching back to Movies & TV or Windows Media Player

If you want to return to Windows 11's built-in players, open Settings, go to Apps > Default apps, and scroll to find Movies & TV or Windows Media Player. Click on it and select the video formats you want it to handle again. Both players come with Windows 11, so you do not need to install anything.

Movies & TV is the newer option and handles most common formats like .mp4, .mov, and .mkv. Windows Media Player is the older player that still works but is less frequently updated. If you removed either one, you can reinstall it from the Microsoft Store by searching for the name and clicking Install.

Why you might want to change your default player

Movies & TV works fine for most people, but some players offer features Movies & TV does not have. VLC can play almost any video format without needing extra codecs, handles damaged or incomplete files better, and includes tools for adjusting playback speed, subtitles, and audio tracks. Media Player Classic is lightweight and uses less memory if your computer is older or slower.

You might also prefer a player that remembers where you stopped watching a video, or one that organizes your video library differently. Some players let you stream videos from network drives or adjust video quality on the fly. Changing your default takes less than a minute, so you can try a different player and switch back if you do not like it.

Troubleshooting when the change does not stick

Sometimes you set a new default player but videos still open with the old one. This usually means Windows did not fully register the change. Go back to Settings > Apps > Default apps, find your chosen player, and click on it again. Make sure the file types you care about are listed under it — if they are blank or missing, click on the player name once more and confirm your choice.

If the problem continues, restart your computer and try the change again. Windows sometimes caches the old default until you restart. You can also try the right-click method on a specific video file as a test — if that works, the player is installed correctly and the issue is just with the Settings menu registration.

One more thing to check: make sure the player you chose is actually still installed. If you uninstalled it recently, Windows may have reverted to Movies & TV automatically. Open your installed apps list in Settings to confirm the player is there, and reinstall it if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different players for different video formats?

Yes. In Settings, go to Apps > Default apps and scroll down to File type associations. Click on a specific format like .mp4 or .avi and choose which player opens it. You can set .mp4 files to open with VLC and .mkv files to open with Media Player Classic if you want.

What if I want to choose a player every time I open a video?

Right-click a video file, select Open with, and choose Choose another app. Do not check the box that says Always use this app. Windows will then ask you which player to use each time you open a video file. This is slower but gives you the most control.

Does changing the default player affect videos in web browsers?

No. Videos that play inside a web browser use the browser's built-in player, not your Windows default. Changing your default only affects video files you open directly from your computer. If you want to change how videos play in a browser, you would need to adjust settings within that browser instead.

Will I lose any videos if I change my default player?

No. Changing the default player only changes which program opens your videos — it does not move, delete, or modify the files themselves. Your videos stay exactly where they are, and you can always switch back to a different player later.

Is VLC better than Movies & TV?

It depends on what you need. VLC plays more file formats without extra software and handles damaged files better. Movies & TV is simpler and uses less memory. Try both and see which one fits how you watch videos. You can switch between them anytime.