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Windows Keeps Asking Me To Select An App To Open Files

Anonymous
2024-11-23T20:59:05+00:00

Every few weeks, Windows asks me to select at app to open a file that I've clicked on in Explorer, even though all of my default apps have been set. The pop-up even shows the default app listed at the top, but it still requires me to choose. This goes away after selecting the app and clicking Always, however, weeks later, I have to start all over again.
I don't believe for a second that this is a bug, as I have previously left certain audio/video file formats with the default Windows app and I've never had to confirm the App when it was set to a Microsoft app as default, only after changing those audio/video file format default apps to VLC. This is clearly Microsoft trying to annoy users into switch to Microsoft apps and I would like to know how to turn this off and not continue to have these pop-ups.

This pop-up occurs across all file types, from from video, to audio to PDF's. The only file types that I've never had an issue with are file types that are set to open with Microsoft Apps (Excel, Word, etc.). I have already reset default apps on multiple occasions and reset all of my file types manually, but the same issue keeps occurring, which is why I don't believe this is a bug and is done intentionally by Microsoft.

I have the latest build of Windows 11 and the latest updates.

Windows for home | Windows 11 | Files, folders, and storage

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  1. Anonymous
    2024-12-08T15:08:33+00:00

    I believe the correct approach is to add a registry key:

    [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer]
    "NoNewAppAlert"=dword:00000001

    For example by running a Admin Command Prompt (right-click the icon and select "Run as Administrator") and then running:

    REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Explorer /v NoNewAppAlert /t REG_DWORD /d 1

    Might need a reboot.

    Regards

    Jon

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-11-28T09:51:00+00:00

    I've had the same problem crop up in the past week or two.

    It asks each time for xml files, suggesting a rogue app is trying to snaffle it and Windows Defender isn't doing its job.

    This fixed it for me.

    https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/4171-disable-you-have-new-apps-can-open-type-file.html#option2

    You will need to open an admin command prompt and type gpedit.msc if running as a normal user.

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  3. Anonymous
    2024-12-16T15:51:02+00:00

    My issue has nothing to do with new applications being installed or alerts to use new apps. Without installing any new apps, every 1 to 2 weeks, Windows will ask to confirm using the current default app to open files if the current default is not a Microsoft app. This is clearly intended to push people to use Microsoft apps and I want to know if there is a way to disable it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2024-12-03T15:02:34+00:00

    Your issue is unrelated to my issue.

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  5. Anonymous
    2024-11-24T10:42:15+00:00

    Hi Oyesiku,

    Thanks for your post in Microsoft Community.

    In your description, you often encountered problems when opening some files that asked you to choose the way to open them.

    I noticed that you checked the default open method for these files and appreciate your efforts and attempts to resolve this issue.

    I do understand the current inconvenience and chagrin of often having to manually select the opening method.

    Did this issue first appear with the manual?

    Did it come after an update?

    We have determined that it may be an error in the configuration file for some current systems, or an error in the account configuration file.

    To determine if this is related to an account profile error, please refer to the following link to create a new local administrator account

    Manage user accounts in Windows - Microsoft Support

    Check if the same issue is present in the new local account.

    If the problem still exists, then please refer to the following steps to perform a system file check

    1. Search for CMD, find Command Prompt, right click on it and select Run as administrator mode.
    2. Enter the following commands one by one, please make sure to execute the next command after the previous one is completed. DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth SFC /Scannow
    3. After the scan is complete, you can check the scanning information to see if the problem has been detected and fixed.

    If the problem still exists, please refer to the following link for in-place upgrade.

    Disclaimer: Let’s try performing an in-place install or in-place upgrade which will refresh your Windows files and operating system without removing files or applications. That being said, we always recommend that if you have important data, you should back it up before making large system changes. If you want to back up your data first, please do so. Once you are done backing up, you can follow the steps in the following guides:

    How to run In-place upgrade in Windows 11 - Microsoft Community

    Please try the above scenarios and let me know the results and I will provide you further assistance based on your results.

    Thank you for your understanding and support.

    Best regards,

    Zev - MSFT | Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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