When you say "open a song", are you meaning opening an audio file (such as an mp3, wav, etc.) or do you mean opening a BIAB file (i.e. those that have .SGU or .MGU at the end of their names)?
In the meantime, I find myself wondering if what you are experiencing is the "auto open" of the lyric window.
To double check if this is the issue, have a look at the images below. These show how to disable the 'Big Lyrics Window' auto-open.
In my attempts to solve my problem, I did come across the settings that you so kindly included in 5-step graphics and I had already set the exact scenario that you have pictured. But no, my question has nothing to do with lyrics or the lyrics window.
By "opening a song" I'm talking about the basic BIAB .MGU songs with MIDI melodies and program-generated Real Instrument accompaniments.
Every time I open one of those and there's a video file with the same name in the folder, the program also opens a "Video Window" of that same song with a replica of the main program's Chord Window, and then, I have to manually close the Video Window in order to get rid of it.
I'd like to disable the Video Window from opening automatically because, if I need it, I do know how to manually open it in the Video Player via the Video button on one of the icon ribbons.
I'm pretty sure there is someway to turn off the auto-opening function of that window but I just don't remember how I got this done in my previous BB2018 version.
Maybe it's a sign that Alzheimer's is sneaking up on me!
Thanks for the extra information. That really helps.
If there is an audio file format in a BIAB song's folder that has the same name as the song file (with the audio file extension -- e.g. .wav, .mp3, etc) it will automatically open when the song file is loaded. This is how BIAB works. I haven't yet tried it but I'm guessing that this is also set for audio-visual files now.
Try this and see if it helps...
1. Open "Options | Preferences".
2. De-select "When opening BIAB song, open mp3/wma with same name"
Thanks again for the reply but that didn't do the trick for me.
I've attached a picture of the Video Window which auto-opens and sits itself right on top of the main programs chord sheet. This "Video Window" is completely superfluous in this setting since it displays the exact same data that's presented on the main chord sheet.
I remember that my 2018 and 2017 versions did the same thing but after having grown tired and annoyed at having to manually close it after dozens of times, I'd found a way to toggle or disable the "auto open" nature of this window. I just can't remember how I did it. Was there a toggle switch in "17-18" that's been located in "19"?
Now I don't want any admins or anyone to read me wrong because I DO appreciate having all of the video capabilities on-board and I do use them to post videos (100s) on my website for my students.
However, when all I need and want is just the chord sheet of the main program (which is most of the time), this auto-opening of the Video Window has become a nuisance to me because, not only am I forced to manually closed the window over and over and over again, the info it displays is totally redundant in this setting!
So, in lieu of someone telling me of a way to suppress this auto pop-up window that's already present in the program, some type of toggle switch to disable this function would be great in future update!
Art, I can see what it's doing, but I don't know of a way to stop it. I believe that if there is a video file of the same name then it will load.
Is there a corresponding video file of the same name in the same folder? If so, move it to a different folder and see if the issue resolves.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Also, presumably the \Practice\ folder is one you have created?
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Thanks for the additional graphic. It helps paint a much clearer picture.
An alternative to Trevor's solution would be to slightly change the name of the video file...
for example, if the songfile is SONGFILE.MGU, rename the rendered video to SONGFILE_V.AVI -- it won't load then.
Also, the naming system above means that the two files are close enough in name so that when using File Explorer, they should sit beside one another and be easy to locate.
Thanks for chiming in. Yes, I have hundreds of BIAB files with corresponding video files with the same name. It's not like I have only one or two folders! The "Practice" folder is just one of dozens of music/teaching folders I've created and they're spread out over the landscape of several hard drives in my system--and each of those folders have tons of BB files and video files with the same name.
In addition to the "general" music student exercise video accompaniments I've made (like the series I did and posted on the three "Hanon Complete" finger exercises book), I've created many non-posted/private exercise videos that are tailored for each of my students and over the years, since this video capability was added to BB, my collection has grown into hundreds of files that are located in many folders on my hard drives.
Yes, I can see and understand that your suggestion to slightly rename all of my video files would definitely keep that Video Window from auto-opening, and what you said about the files remaining next to each other is true. However, as I said in my reply to Video Track, I've made hundreds of files! It would be so much easier for me and a more efficient use of my time to have a toggle switch to disable/enable the auto-open function.
So for now, I'm going to regard the "slightly rename file method" as my "nuclear" last-resort solution and keep it on the shelf for the moment while I contact the support team before I finally submit the toggle switch idea as a wish list item and then wait for an update or two to go by before going "nuclear" (Smile)! Otherwise, your suggestion may be my only way to stop the inconvenience that the automatic pop-up window is causing me.
So with everything that's been said, it looks like it's time to consider this thread at an end, unless someone has another solution that doesn't involve the process of having to rename over 1,000 files.
... unless someone has another solution that doesn't involve the process of having to rename over 1,000 files.
Why not create a folder named 'video accompaniments' or similar and move all the videos to that folder? This would save renaming them all and they wouldn't open with the song. They'd all be in the one place and easy to find if required. You could optionally have multiple video folders if that was more convenient.
BIAB & RB2026 Win.(Audiophile), Windows 10 Pro & Windows 11, Cakewalk Bandlab, Izotope Prod.Bundle, Roland RD-1000, Synthogy Ivory, Session Keys Grand S & Electric R, Kontakt, Focusrite 18i20, KetronSD2, NS40M, Pioneer Active Monitors.
Last Chance! The Band-in-a-Box® 2026 for Mac® Special Ends Today (May 31, 2026) at 11:59pm PDT!
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202 New RealTracks Released with Band-in-a-Box 2026!
With Band-in-a-Box® 2026, we've released 202 incredible new RealTracks (in sets 468-488) in a variety of genres—featuring your most requested styles!
Jazz, Funk & World (Sets 468-475):
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Rock & Pop (Sets 476–482):
Our new rock & pop RealTracks bring a powerful mix of requested favorites, fresh genres, and modern chart-inspired styles! We have more of our popular “Producer Layered Acoustic Guitars (15)” featuring Band-in-a-Box favorite Brent Mason. We’ve continued our much-requested disco styles (10), and added new Celtic guitar (5) with a more basic, accessible approach than our previous Drop-D or DADGAD offerings. There are also highly requested yacht rock styles (17), inspired by the smooth, polished soft-rock sound of the late ’70s and early ’80s — laid-back grooves, silky electric pianos, warm textures, elegant harmonic movement, and pristine production aesthetics. Fans of heavier styles will love our new glam metal (13), capturing the flashy, high-energy sound of ’80s arena-ready guitar rock. We also have a set of rootsy modern-folk rock (18), with a warm, organic sound combining contemporary folk textures and driving acoustic strumming. And we’ve added lots of new modern pop styles (16) — the kinds of sounds you’re hearing on the radio today, featuring exciting new drums, synths, and cutting-edge RealTracks arrangements.
Country, & Americana (Sets 483–488):
Our new country & Americana RealTracks deliver a rich collection of acoustic, electric, and roots-inspired styles! We have new country pop (9) with legendary guitarist Brent Mason. There is also a potpourri (14) of bouzouki, guitars, banjo, and more, perfect for adding texture and character to contemporary acoustic arrangements. We’ve added funky country guitar (5) with PG favorite Brent Mason, along with classic pedal steel styles (5) featuring steel great Doug Jernigan. There are more country songwriter styles (8) that provide intimate, rootsy foundations for storytelling and modern Americana writing. Finally, we have “background soloing” acoustic guitar (12) with Brent Mason — simpler, but still very tasty acoustic lines designed to sit beautifully behind vocals or act as a subtle standalone solo part.
And, if you are looking for more, the 2026 49-PAK (for $49) includes an impressive collection of 20 bonus RealTracks, featuring exciting and inspiring additions to add to your RealTracks library. You'll get new country-rhythm guitar styles from PG Music favorites Johnny Hiland and Brent Mason, along with modern-pop grooves that capture today’s radio-ready sound! There are also new indie-folk styles with guitar, bass, 6-string bass used as a high-chording instrument, acoustic guitar, and banjo. Plus, dedicated "cymbal fills" RealDrums provide an added layer that work very well with low-key folky styles with other percussion.
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MIDI Styles Set 92: Look Ma! More MIDI 15: Latin Jazz
MIDI SuperTracks Set 46: Piano & Organ
Instrumental Studies Set 24: Groovin' Blues Soloing
Artist Performance Set 19: Songs with Vocals 9
Playable RealTracks Set 5
RealDrums Stems Set 9: Cool Brushes
SynthMaster Sounds Set 1 (with audio demos)
iOS Android Band-in-a-Box® App
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20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums with 20 RealStyle.
FLAC Files (lossless audio files) for the 20 Bonus Unreleased RealTracks and RealDrums
MIDI Styles Set 93: Look Ma! More MIDI 16: SynthMaster
MIDI SuperTracks Set 47: More SynthMaster
Instrumental Studies 25 - Soul Jazz Guitar Soloing
Artist Performance Set 20: Songs with Vocals 10
RealDrums Stems Set 10: Groovin' Sticks
SynthMaster Sounds & Styles Set 2 (sounds & styles with audio demos)
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