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How to configure user file type associations

Anonymous
2023-10-12T23:11:54+00:00

We run a remote desktop environment with RemoteApps available for users
In one of these RemoteApps, users can open .pdf files.
When opening these .pdf files though, we want it to open with a specific app, first time, everytime.

Currently, when I try to open the file, I get the option to use Edge or SumatraPDF

It is a huge security risk that users could open Edge in this environment, as they shouldn't have outgoing internet access
As such, we have tried blocking these users from opening Edge using applocker, however, if a user selects Edge, and uses it to 'always open', they will no longer be able to open PDF files.

  • How can I set the default app for all users such that any .pdf files they open are opened with SumatraPDF / Adobe Explorer, without a 'How do you want to open this file?' prompt
  • How can I remove Microsoft Edge as an option for opening .PDF files
  • How can I do the above in a scripted / group policy way, as the machines that our users connect to and open these pdf files on, are replaced every week

Thanks,

Alex

Windows for business Windows Server User experience Remote desktop services and terminal services

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  1. Anonymous
    2023-10-13T02:03:15+00:00

    Hello Alex,

    Thank you for reaching out to Microsoft Community.

    To set the default application for a specific file type, such as PDFs, you can use the "Default Programs" settings in a GPO that is applied to the RDS session hosts.

    Here are the steps to set the default application for PDF files in your RDS environment:

    1. Open the Group Policy Management Console on a computer with administrative access.
    2. Create a new GPO or edit an existing one that is linked to the OU containing your RDS session hosts.
    3. In the GPO, navigate to the following path: **User Configuration > Preferences > Control Panel Settings > Folder Options**.
    4. Right-click on "Folder Options" and choose "New > File Type."
    5. Configure the file type settings for PDF files. You can specify the action as "open," the file extension as ".pdf," and the program to open it (e.g., SumatraPDF or Adobe Reader).
    6. Apply the GPO to the users or groups of users who access the RemoteApp. This GPO should be linked to the RDS session hosts because the application associations are often determined on the server-side in Remote Desktop environments.

    Make sure to enforce the GPO settings by running gpupdate /force on the RDS session hosts.

    Regards,

    Karlie

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