After installing a shareware audio program when I open sound files they no longer automatically start playing with the media player from Microsoft.  How do I again make the Microsoft media player start when I click on these sound files?

Windows stores file associations that let the operating system know which program normally is used to work with those files.  That is why Microsoft Word automatically starts when you click on a text file if you have Word installed.

Some applications automatically make themselves the default application for the files types they handle when you install them. 

Fortunately, there is a quick and easy way to change the application that is associated with a particular file type.

First, hold down the shift key and right click on the file you want to work with.  From the menu select "open with".  This will open a dialog box that will allow you to select the application that you want to open the file with.  Simply select the program you want associated with that file and Windows will begin using your favorite application again to work with your file 

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