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45 lines
2.6 KiB
45 lines
2.6 KiB
# Set-FileAssoc.ps1 - a script to change Windows 10 file associations
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## What?
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This script allows a user or an IT administrator to change user file associations in Windows 10.
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## Why?
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User file associations in newer versions of Windows are normally protected from an unauthorized change, and therefore can only be set interactively through Settings app, or using a XML file pushed through GPO.
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The XML method has several drawbacks:
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- IT administrator has to keep track of any new associations when a Windows Feature Update gets released;
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- if the computer is not in a domain, associations can only be set in a reference image, and as a result:
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- apps also have to be pre-built in your image;
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- once an user changes one of their file associations, it cannot be set back using the XML method.
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A [SetUserFTA tool](https://kolbi.cz/blog/2017/10/25/setuserfta-userchoice-hash-defeated-set-file-type-associations-per-user) has been made in 2017 to combat this limitation. However, it is also not a perfect solution:
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- it only changes associations for the user that launched the tool;
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- this is problematic if computers are managed by means of a remote configuration administration tool, like Ansible;
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- workarounds to run SetUserFTA in different user contexts exist, but they are also not ideal;
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- closed-source model.
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For my personal use case (domainless network of Ansible-managed Windows 10 nodes with a "bleeding-edge" update policy), a different approach was needed, therefore, this script was made.
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# How?
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1. Download the script;
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2. Specify mandatory parameters - file extension and a ProgID (extension handler):
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- `-Extension .pdf -ProgID SumatraPDF`
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- `-Extension .html -ProgID ChromeHTML`
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3. Set the user context in which this script should run:
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- current user only: `-CurrentUser`
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- all users: `-AllUsers`
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- specific users: `-Users user1, user2`
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4. Run the script:
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- `.\Set-FileAssoc.ps1 -Extension .pdf -ProgID SumatraPDF -CurrentUser`
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- (shorthand version) `.\Set-FileAssoc.ps1 .pdf SumatraPDF`
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## Is that... legal?
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This script is a product of reverse-engineering Windows binaries. Therefore, if your organization has to strictly adhere to Microsoft EULA, it may be problematic, legal-wise, to use this script, because:
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- it circumvents the measures set in place by Microsoft to prevent tampering with file associations and user experience;
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- it uses features that were implemented by reverse-engineering binaries that are "legally protected" from being reverse-engineered.
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Consult your legal department for guidance.
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## Credits
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Christoph Kolbicz for SetUserFTA: https://kolbi.cz
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