Don't use "search the Microsoft Store" to find apps for specific file extensions
If you don't want to use WhatsApp for viewing Mp4 video files or Doc Opener for Sell to open Microsoft Word documents, then you should disregard the Microsoft Store recommendations for these file types.
Windows supports many popular file formats by default. Common image, video, document file formats are supported by default. While the programs that open them are basic, e.g., the Photos Viewer for image types, they allow users to view these without installation of programs.
It is recommended to install dedicated programs to view certain files on Windows. Media Player may work for some users, but others may prefer the advanced capabilities that programs such as VLC Media Player, MPlayer, or PotPlayer offer.
Windows does not support all file types by default. Windows displays a list of suggested applications when you try to open an unsupported file type. There is also an option to search the Microsoft Store. A similar option is provided when you right-click on a file type, supported or not. If "open with" options are displayed, there is also a "search the Microsoft Store" option.
This search option runs a search for the file extension in the Microsoft Store. The good news is that most apps that are suggested do indeed support the file type. A search for "doc" returns the free apps Neat Office and Doc Opener, and the paid app Doc Opener for Sell, as the top three results. LibreOffice, the open source Office suite, is not listed, even though it is available in the Store. Microsoft Office, the standalone or subscription-based version, is not listed as well, and neither is WordPad.
Another example: a search for MP4 returns WhatsApp as the top result, followed by Microsoft Photos, Movies & TV, Windows Media Player, and Clipchamp. Four of the five are Microsoft apps, but these are all installed already. Popular apps such as VLC, which support MP4, are nowhere to be found.
The search feature is problematic for a number of reasons. Besides the very obvious fact that it is ignoring the majority of programs that are available for Windows, its is suggesting programs that are not the best choice or even suitable at all for opening the specified file extension.
A search on the Internet may or may not be a better option, which is probably not the answer that you have been looking for. A search for "best program for mp4", or "how to open doc files" returns a mixture of top lists and articles.
Still, one would expect that the built-in search feature on Windows works better than most searches on Google, Bing and other search engines.
Now You: how do you find the best suitable program for opening specific file types?
I don’t know how reliable ‘Windows Defender Firewall’, because here on Windows 7 with the OS’s firewall, some applications phone home although I’ve added an inbound and an outbound rule to block them. For instance, ‘EditPad’ Lite which attempts to connect to connect to news.jgsoft.com and which fails to do so only because I block that connection with a DNSCrypt-proxy blacklist rule, and here what shows DNSCrypt-proxy query log :
127.0.0.1 news.jgsoft.com A REJECT 0ms quad9-dnscrypt-ip4-filter-pri
quad9 is the DNS used with DNSCrypt-proxy. This means that Windows Firewall does not prevent an application added to its filters to connect to the Web, not always anyway.
So I do hope Windows Defender Firewall does a better job.
Hi Tom,
You write:”I don’t know how reliable ‘Windows Defender Firewall….”.
Let me tell you, based on my own experience, that firewall is really a POS (Piece Of Shit). It is really unreliable
Every software is able to write a firewall condition under windows i think, Windows Firewall is a trash
The first software that i always install (when i need internet in vboxed windows) is Simple Wall.
https://github.com/henrypp/simplewall
I also really like his version of Chromium https://github.com/henrypp/chromium
https://github.com/henrypp/simplewall
I also, “Simple Wall” is a favorite. That’s enough.
henrypp/chromium: Chromium builds with codecs | GitHub
https://github.com/henrypp/chromium
Chromium builds with codecs https://chromium.woolyss.com/
Download latest stable Chromium binaries (64-bit and 32-bit) |
https://chromium.woolyss.com/
It is very interesting.
And, “Notes” There are must-see value.
https://chromium.woolyss.com/#notes
There’s an easy page for blocking/allowing programs to go out in the main firewall window, click on:
Allow and App or feature through Windows Firewall.
Otherwise, good overview of rules creation. I’ve never had a program sneak out if its rule is set up right.
Yes, Windows defaults to letting most anything through as do other firewalls I’ve used. Probably preferrable to blocking everything except in critical security situations.
To quickly achieve the same end result as the steps above, I always install “OneClickFirewall” – less complex than anything like WFC, it just gives you a right click context menu on any exe for “Block internet access” and “Restore internet access”. Very handy!
https://winaero.com/download.php?view.1886
@ B
I downloaded the OCF program but I did not install it.
Virus Total found one two red engines:
Antiy-AVL – Trojan/Win32.Fuerboos
and
MaxSecure – Trojan.Malware.7164915.susgen
Nice article Ashwin.
Sometimes I like to quit (disable the Internet connection temporarily) all internet connection than I use the free software program for windows Net disabler v.1. 0 ( Latest release ’17-02-21).
https://www.sordum.org/9660/net-disabler-v1-0/
Here is the easiest methode to block Windows programs from accessing the internet ; Application name is FAB (Firewall Application blocker) it is a Portable freeware , usage is just drag and drop the Application icon
https://www.sordum.org/8125/firewall-app-blocker-fab-v1-6/
Thanks Ashwin. I always forget about the internals of Windows Firewall.
Just set up some outbound rules to block some apps that shouldn’t have internet access. Thanks again!
Ashwin, it doesn’t work.
Try this. Install steam and login. Rules wil be automatically created to allow steam.
Now log out and close steam. Change the firewall rules to block.
Open steam again and login in.
Go back to the firewall to find new allow rules created for it.
Basically, anyone willing to pay microsoft to be added to a “trusted list” gets a free ticket past the windows firewall wether you want them to or not.
Now go get Windows Firewall Control (I reccomend finding a pre MWB version) and install it and setup it up. Then turn on secure rules. Now repaet the steps with Steam and it will stay blocked.
Fast, free and simple solution for the beginners and non-professional: Firewall App Blocker https://www.sordum.org/8125/firewall-app-blocker-fab-v1-6/
Sordum’s Firewall App Blocker is great. Just right-click any exe file and it gets blocked in Windows Firewall, without going through all those steps. Also note, this feature is also in Sordum’s Easy Context Menu. All free.
https://www.tweakhound.com/2018/11/30/blocking-a-programs-internet-access-via-the-windows-firewall/
The heck with all of that. Just use a superior and much easier to use front end for the built in firewall. Malwarebytes Windows Firewall Control is excellent.
I’ll just put this here: TinyWall
What gets me most is that large number of windows processes is trying to get access to internet. Why? Windows DOES not need access to internet even to install it and can run without internet. The only possible exception being network management.
Just another case of spyware?
MS should be legislated to provide full description and reasons for those services demand for access as it is potentially abusing privacy.
@Jafp
Your logic is sketchy and lacks reasonable facts. Perhaps you need to be legislated.