Setting default apps in a RunOnce script

Question

We have MANY clients that are on Peer-to-Peer networks or now work at home. We ship pre-configured computers (mostly laptops) to them and need to setup some defaults for ANY user who logs in. To wit: How can we setup default apps for various functions?

1. Set Adobe Acrobat DC as the default PDF reader
2. Set Google Chrome as the default web browser
3. Set default desktop icons (e.g. Computer, Network, Control Panel).

Although some companies have a DC, many do not so we're looking for a solution that does NOT require a server (so no "group Policy" solutions, please). We found some Registry keys to create the desktop icons. Is there a powershell or batch script to change the default apps like Acrobat as PDF viewer and Chrome as default browser?

Thanks for any help!

Answer 1

Hello BillArtemik,

You will find different Poweshell and WMI command lines to do this, but all in all it requires to "touch" the registry which can be a handicap while working with remote users with limited permissions.

My recommendation would be to use DISM during the deployment, for example if you use MDT or a Task Sequence.

Please check: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/dism-default-application-association-servicing-command-line-options

PS: This settings will apply only to new users created after the change, current profiles will not change, but I think that that is not your goal.

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