How do you stop pop up window

Question

How do you stop pop up window stating "Confirm how you want to open files" everytime I open a file (any kind of file). I've changed the settings to "open in desktop" more than once in the settings file but it does not stop the popup despite restarts. No one else in my workplace has this issue. Help please, it's super annoying

Answer 1

Hello @Nichola G

Welcome to the Microsoft Q&A Community! 

Thank you for contacting support. I understand that you keep getting the “Confirm how you want to open files” prompt when opening files from Microsoft Teams. Before we proceed, please let me know: 

1. Which steps you have already tried that did not resolve the issue?  
2. Whether you have reviewed Microsoft’s guidance Open file links directly in Microsoft 365 desktop apps from Teams and classic Outlook - Microsoft S… and confirmed that your scenario meets the documented conditions. Specifically, the preference to open in Desktop app applies to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files stored in OneDrive or SharePoint and opened from the Teams desktop application, and certain link sources may still open in the browser by design.  

If you have already checked all items in the Microsoft guidance and the prompt continues, please try the following additional steps and advise me of the outcome.  

1/ Identify the process that triggers the prompt: When the dialog appears, open Task Manager, display the Command line column in the Details tab, and note any process that starts at the exact time of the prompt. Investigate that process by opening its file location. This helps locate a scheduled task, helper process, or cache component invoking a link without a valid handler. 

2/ Perform a clean boot to isolate third‑party conflicts: If the prompt disappears under a clean boot, re‑enable startup items and services in small groups to find the offending component.  

3/ Inspect Startup items and Task Scheduler for shortcuts or scripts that launch files without proper associations. Disable or correct any suspicious entries.  

4/ Repair system files and the component store: From an elevated Command Prompt, run the following and then restart:

• DISM /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
• sfc /scannow

5/ Reset Windows file‑type associations: In Settings, open Apps, then Default apps, and select Reset. Test opening from Teams again. You can restore specific defaults afterward. This resolves association map issues that commonly produce the repeated prompt.  

6/ Clear the Microsoft Teams cache: kindly refer to this article Clear the Teams client cache - Microsoft Teams | Microsoft Learn 

For your reference, the additional steps above are summarized from the Windows Forum analysis of persistent “Pick an app” prompts. You can review the full guidance here: How to Permanently Fix the | Windows Forum. (Please note that this article is provided for your convenience. For your security, kindly review all information thoroughly before following any of the recommended steps.) 

Once you have confirmed what you have already tried and completed the steps above, please share the results. Based on your findings, I will provide the next targeted action or arrange a remote session to complete the remediation. 

I look forward to helping you resolve the issue.

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