Unknown program listed as "\" in Open Image With, I don't know how to unlist/remove it

[d_a_renoir]

I've had Win 11 for a year-ish, but it only very recently pushed the 22H2 update for me. After updating the system to 22H2, in the "Open With" programs list there's this program that only displays as "\" and trying to click on it just pops up the "choose app to open image with" menu again.
I'm assuming it's a program that I already uninstalled or something? Or a weird directory muck-up.

I've already cleared the registry and this unknown program is still listed. And this mystery program only appears in the recommended list if I try to open JPG, PNG, and TIF images. It does not show up for GIF or WebP images.

So far it has not caused any issues for me, it just looks weird and I don't want this to be there.

 

[Ralston18]

At the Command Prompt (as Admin) run "assoc" and "ftype" as separate commands.

Each command will probably result in a long listing.

Start with "assoc".

Look to the right of the = sign paying attention to application names. Any unexpected names there that you did not install and/or know that you unistalled? Or perhaps simply deleted?

Do the same with "ftype". The results are much more detailed but you might spot something.

Unfortunately because the registry has been edited then discovering the culprit may be more difficult.

I think there may be another option as well but it is not something I have really worked with. TBD.

 

[d_a_renoir]

I did the CMD commands. There's blank entries in the "Quicktime" listing from ftype. I think this is what the issue is, since the file types that have blank entries seem to be the same image file types that have the weird "\" program listed.

 

[Ralston18]

QuickTime - Apple's media player perhaps.

Did you happen to download it (Windows version) or any other media player?

As I understand it, Apple no longer supports QuickTime for Windows.

What was "cleared" in the registry?

If you search the Registry for "Quicktime" or just "Quick" are there any hits?

Search only.

Registry edits are a last resort and it is safer to be wary of any further edits until more is known.

 

[d_a_renoir]

Looks like Quicktime is the issue. Uninstalling it gets rid of the "\" program.