How to make Windows Media Player my default player?

Real Player is just about the most intrusive piece of software I have ever seen (now that I have that off my chest)..  Open WMP and go to Tools, Option, and the File Types tab.  Click Select All to have WMP associate with all those file types and hit OK.  That should do it.

If not, go into Real Player and look for a similar function and unassociate all files types you don't want RP to run.

Thanks very much jmwills,

I took your advice and now WMP is again my default player. I never use Real Player and I don't know how it took over as my default player but I'll keep an eye on it from now on..   Have a nice day....   Lee

You're welcome.

Real took over because during install you let it. During install (of the current version Real10), a window comes up relating to file associations; but you have to click advanced or something like that to be able to keep your existing associations (it does helpfully show these and gives the option to uncheck the 'change to Real'); most people just click next and Real grabs all the file associations by default. Similarly, with its annoying events notifications that loads at startup if you let it, it does give you the option now turn that off completely during install, but it is difficult to find the option and dire warnings come up, most offputting for the less experienced user. I only use it when needed by some web site.

Hello J.R.

Problem is I have never updated Real Player I still have the same version that came with my Dell 8200. I guess I must have changed something without knowing . I also never use the player... ever..  Lee