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Windows 11 update has removed Office XML Handler 'Open' command functionality

Anonymous
2024-12-12T21:33:05+00:00

Version 10.0.22631 Build 22631

I have recently updated to Windows 11 and rely upon the Office XML Handler to open .xml files via file explorer and internal document links. The .xml files could be Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, or PowerPoints. When I right click a file in the file explorer -> click 'Open With' -> click Office XML Handler -> the file is opened in the appropriate app. However, double-clicking the file in the file explorer fails with no message. After looking into the Windows Registry Editor, I discovered that only the 'edit' command existed, while the 'open' command did not. I manually added the 'Open' command in the editor and was able to resolve the failure as I am now able to open the file via double click.

My changes to the registry editor fixed the issue, but making manual changes to the registry editor is tedious and risky. The rest of my teammates are restricted to update to the same version of Windows soon, and I would like it if there was an easier solution to this Office XML handler problem.

I appreciate any insights/suggestions!

** moved from Microsoft 365 and Office / Word / Unknown / Windows**

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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2025-01-16T14:58:21+00:00

    What about using an XML editor that opens the file as an excel sheet, but you are allowed to save the xml and keep its formatting??

    My issue: if I open the xml file in excel, and then save (keeping as xml), somehow the file loses its formatting, and then when I try to load it into an xml reader it says the xml file format is corrupted. So the solution I've working is to export the file from excel which gives me a lot of work.

    What I really want to do is open the xml file in a program that will allow me to work on it as a excel file, but when I save it keeps the xml logic.

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  2. Anonymous
    2024-12-13T13:19:16+00:00

    Hello，Jaden Puckett

    Welcome to posting in the Microsoft Community.

    Thank you for your feedback, after testing I have also reproduced the problem you found, current Windows 11 does remove this feature, probably because Microsoft wants to move the default opening of XML files to the Office suite. I've come up with a few ideas of what you can try at this time, which you can see below.

    1. use Excel in the Microsofr 365 and Office suite and then open the XML file through the 365 component.
    2. Another way is to redefine how XML files are opened by running a custom batch script. This script will add the necessary open commands to the registry, after which you will be able to quickly open the XML file. @echo off reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.xml" /ve /d "xmlfile" /f reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\shell\open" /ve /d "Open" /f reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\xmlfile\shell\open\command" /ve /d ""C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\MSOXMLED.EXE" "%1"" /f reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.docx" /ve /d "Word.Document" /f reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Word.Document\shell\open" /ve /d "Open" /f reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Word.Document\shell\open\command" /ve /d ""C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\WINWORD.EXE" "%1"" /f reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.xlsx" /ve /d "Excel.Sheet" /f reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet\shell\open" /ve /d "Open" /f reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Excel.Sheet\shell\open\command" /ve /d ""C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\EXCEL.EXE" "%1"" /f reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT.pptx" /ve /d "PowerPoint.Show" /f reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PowerPoint.Show\shell\open" /ve /d "Open" /f reg add "HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\PowerPoint.Show\shell\open\command" /ve /d ""C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\root\Office16\POWERPNT.EXE" "%1"" /f echo Operation complete. Press any key to exit. pause
    • First, copy the above code into Notepad.
    • Save the file as “fix_office.bat” (make sure the file extension is .bat)
    • Right click on the file and select “Run as administrator”.

    After you refer to the above steps, you can share some information in this thread and I will answer your questions further. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!

    Best Regards，

    Rota|Microsoft Community Support Specialist

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