Quicktime Player won't launch from applications folder but will when opening an mp4 file

Hi there,

I've got a curious case of Quicktime Player misbehaving.

When trying to launch from launch pad, the applications folder or spotlight, the utilities folder opens and that's that (no QT player to be seen in utilities, no player opens).

When I open an mp4 file straight, QT opens with no issues.

I tried uninstalling QT from the applications folder without success.

QT Player 10.5, Mac Monterey

What can I do when I need the file path to the player for a different app to run?

Cheers,

rosert