Windows Media player barging in

[viking33]

Received an email with a few .doc file attachments. Clicked on one and it should have been opened with my default setting which is LibreOffice Writer. Instead, Windows Media Player barges in and attempts to open the file, then gives an error message saying that it could not open the file. Well, I didn't ask it open that file.
I went back in to check the default options for programs and sure enough, Libreoffice is set as default for .docs. I even D\L the MS Word reader and set it to default but Media Player insists on trying and failing?
I went to Windows Programs and Features and disabled Media Player, rebooted and would you believe Media Player STILL elbows in to try to open the file.

I might be now suspecting the source which is a trusted location but .....?

[HansV]

Have you tried the following?

- Right-click any .doc file.
- Select Open With > Choose Default Program from the context menu.
- Select LibreOffice Writer in the list of programs. If it is not listed, click Browse... and locate it.
- Tick the check box "Always use this program to open this kind of file".
- Click OK.

[JoeP]

Could be the extension is hidden. Try a "Save As" on one of the attachments. See what the complete file name is.

Be sure to scan the attachment after saving and before opening.

Joe

[viking33]

Have you tried the following?

- Right-click any .doc file.
- Select Open With > Choose Default Program from the context menu.
- Select LibreOffice Writer in the list of programs. If it is not listed, click Browse... and locate it.
- Tick the check box "Always use this program to open this kind of file".
- Click OK.

Yes, I can open them if they are saved in a folder somewhere. It's when they are an attachment in an email that they do not open. I use Thunderbird ( latest ) and I know I have been able to open them OK in the past, by just double clicking them. This is a recent problem.

[viking33]

Could be the extension is hidden. Try a "Save As" on one of the attachments. See what the complete file name is.

Be sure to scan the attachment after saving and before opening.

Joe

They are from a trusted source and the extension shows as .doc?
I don't understand why Media player is so persistent.

I've emailed the originator to ask her to resend the message to me.

[PaulB]

Bob, have you checked in Thunderbird 'Options' > 'Attachments' > 'Incoming' to see what 'Action' is being applied to your 'Content Type'?

Capture.JPG

[viking33]

Paul.....I think you nailed it!
Sure enough, there was MS Media player as the choice for M\S Word .doc files. I changed it to LibreOffice Writer but now have to wait for the originator to resend the email, since I don't get many .doc file attachments in my emails and deleted the original.

[PaulB]

I hope that resolves your problem. Time will tell.

[Rudi]

I can send you a .doc file

[viking33]

I can send you a .doc file

That would be great to finish testing this, instead of waiting for the re-sender to act. Thanks!

[Rudi]

Sent you a PM....

[viking33]

Paul and Rudi,
Rudi's test message came in and TB opened the attachment with LibreOffice just fine.
Thank you both for your help!

[Rudi]

Paul, Bob