Windows 10: Association File GPO Not Working

Good day,


I would like to apply Microsoft Edge and Outlook to be the default apps to all the computers in the organisation. All the computers are running Windows 10 1809/1909. I have used the DISM command dism.exe /online /export-defaultappassociations:c:\temp\customassoc.xml to export the association file and removed everything out but the Edge and Outlook settings. I have set the GPO Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > File Explorer


<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>

<DefaultAssociations>

<Association Identifier="http" ProgId="MSEdgeHTM" ApplicationName="Microsoft Edge" />

<Association Identifier="https" ProgId="MSEdgeHTM" ApplicationName="Microsoft Edge" />

<Association Identifier="htm" ProgId="MSEdgeHTM" ApplicationName="Microsoft Edge" />

<Association Identifier="html" ProgId="MSEdgeHTM" ApplicationName="Microsoft Edge" />

<Association Identifier="mailto" ProgId="Outlook.URL.mailto.15" ApplicationName="Outlook" />

</DefaultAssociations>


On the network at the office the settings apply perfectly I can reset the defaults apps and sign out and in again and it's changed back to Edge and Outlook. I can set Outlook to Edge and the browser to Chrome and sign out and in again and they are changed back correctly. When trying to apply the settings to a computer that is remote and connected to our VPN the settings do not apply. When running a gpresult I can see that the GPO is applying but it does not change/update the default apps for email and web browser. There are no error or warning logs in event viewer. I can run a gpupdate /force restart and nothing is changed. i have tested it on multiple users working from home and defaults are not set. Also note once you are logged into the computer then only do we connect the VPN.


Is there anything I am missing or something else i can try?


Regards

Giovanni

:)

 

Links/associations not working


So, does no-one have suggestions or a solution to my problem?
The problem occurs when I double-click on a folder or link: 'This file does not have a program associated with it for performing this action. Please install a program or, if one is already installed, create an association in the Default Programs control panel'.
I can only open them by right-clicking on the item and select 'Open' which is third in the list. Above that is 'Search' and on the top is 'cmd' (where 'Open would normally appear).
I've scoured the Net and tried several ways to cure this (including 'Default File Type Associations - Restore in Windows 10') but to no avail.
Any suggestions most welcome.

 

File Association Helper in Startup

from another forum on May 6, 2018:
You can uninstall File Association Helper in less than 5 minutes. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1 — Uninstall File Association Helper via Control Panel

Simply go to Start > type Control Panel > double click the first result to launch Control Panel.
Then go to Uninstall a program > locate File Association Helper in the list and select it
Select Uninstall > wait until Windows completely removes FAH from your PC.
Restart your PC.
Step 2 — Clean the Registry Editor

Now that you removed the program, you also need to remove any traces or file changes associated with it. To do that, you need to open the Registry Editor.

Go to Start > type “regedit” > launch the Registry Editor
Locate the following keys and delete them:
KEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareFile Association Helper
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESoftwareFile Association Helper

Step 3 — Check all the hidden files and folders

File Association Helper may have left behind various hidden files and folders. In order to completely remove the software, you can also need to delete these files. Here’s how to do that:

Simply go to Start > type Control Panel > double click the first result to launch Control Panel. On Windows 10, you can also type “Show hidden files and folder” in the search box. Then simply check Show hidden files, folders and drives and jump straight to step number 3.
RECOMMENDED: Click here to fix common PC issues and speed up your system
Go to Folder > select Show Hidden Files and Folders
Locate the following folders:
Crogram FilesFile Association Helper
C*Biggrinocument and SettingsAll UsersApplication DataFile Association Helper
C*Biggrinocuments and Settings%USER%Application DataFile Association Helper

4. Delete them and then restart your PC.

Step 4 — Empty Temp Folder

The final step is to clean the Temp folder where all the temporary files are stored. To empty the folder, go to Start and type the %temp% command.

This will open the Temp folders. You can now empty them. If the system displays an error message when deleting some files, leave them. The files might be in use by Windows services or some running software.

Step 5 — Use a dedicated tool to remove software leftovers

After you performed all the steps listed above, you have removed 99.9% of all the files and folders left behind by File Association Helper. However, there may be a few file that escaped your scrutiny. In order to make sure that you have removed all of them, you can also use a dedicated software uninstaller.

These applications are specially designed to remove the selected application along with all of its files and registry entries. As a result, the application will be completely removed from your PC.

There are many great uninstaller tools available on the market, but the best are IOBit Uninstaller and Revo Uninstaller so feel free to try any of these tools.

 

File association

I have read scores of discussions regarding adding a program to a default program list and none have worked. Before I go to what many have suggested, is it true if a program is not listed in default list a third party program is needed?

I am using Office 2010 on Windows 7. There is no default listed for opening XML-I want the default to be excel.

I went to file associations and can set wordpad to open xml but if I go to browse and select excel, nothing is saved and nothing changes.

Thanks for any help.