Windows cannot open mp3 file

[NOKNOT]

Today I tried to open a mp3 file and I got a message saying "Windows cannot open file and that it needs to know what program created it". I get this message on every audio file I try to open. If I right click the file and choose to open it with a Media Player it plays in that player. Any ideas?

[Zug]

possibly your .mp3 file extension is not set to a program?? try going into your options for media player and find the file extensions and choose to make media player open all files of those extensions... could be one idea.. lemme know if not

[NOKNOT]

Thanks Zug, I associated all files in Foobar and made it my default player and they will open in it. I still don't understand what has happened. I do not have Windows Media Player activated ( I just downloaded Foobar from the start and this has been a couple of years ago) and it would always prompt me to install Media Player whenever I double clicked on an audio file. Now however it just said it couldn't open file. Ill worry about that later. Thanks again.

[Alboguy]

Looks like built-in mp3 codecs somehow got corrupted or even deleted. Codecs are used by WMP thus it's not working. Usually third-party media player like Winamp comes with built-in codecs. That's why you can play music with foobar.

[dredge]

yes, I encountered similar problem long, long time ago, with vista 64bit. Are you using 64bit system? I solved it by install k-lite codec pack and everything, include WMP back to normal and even better.

[NOKNOT]

yes, I encountered similar problem long, long time ago, with vista 64bit. Are you using 64bit system? I solved it by install k-lite codec pack and everything, include WMP back to normal and even better.

No I have XP 32bit. Is there anyway of reinstalling or finding out what codecs are missing? Thanks

[Alboguy]

No I have XP 32bit. Is there anyway of reinstalling or finding out what codecs are missing? Thanks

You don't need to install a whole codecs pack. Try THIS link.

[NOKNOT]

You don't need to install a whole codecs pack. Try THIS link.

Thanks Alboguy, all is well in the audio world now.

[Alboguy]

Thanks Alboguy, all is well in the audio world now.

Since the topic strater found a solution to his problem this thread is now closed.