The goal is to have XML files open in MS Excel. The clients are running Windows 10 ver 2004. Excel is 2019
I have created a file called AppDefaults.xml by editing the file created by the dism tool.
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<DefaultAssociations>
<Association Identifier=".xml" ProgId="Applications\EXCEL.EXE" ApplicationName="Excel" />
</DefaultAssociations>
At first the policy was referencing this file from a network share but I have moved it local to the computer while troubleshooting issues.
I created a policy object with just one setting.
Location: Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components ->File Explorer
Setting: "Set a default associations configuration file"
Value: Enabled Default Associations Configuration File: "C:\Drivers\AppDefaults.xml"
While troubleshooting I gave everyone full access to this folder and file. The GPO is applied to an OU and the test computer is in the correct OU.
On the test PC I do see a registry entry was created at: \HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\System\
Name: DefaultAssociationsConfiguration
Value: C:\Drivers\AppDefaults.xml
Multiple reboots and gpudate /force commands latter and XML file associations have not changed. I tested with admin and non-admin accounts. I also tested with users who had pre-existing profiles as well as users brand new to the PC. As the above referenced registry entry is being written it appears that the policy is being applied but the default app for XML remains the same. Maybe there is an issue in the AppDefaults.xml file? Any thoughts? Thanks!