Remove associations of default apps
- Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
- Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
- Impact: MinimumSystem Functionality Loss Risk: Low
This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script. - Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
- Fully reversible
You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.
The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.
Overview
This script removes Windows settings that automatically open files with specific apps.
App associations are Windows settings that determine which application opens different types of files and links 1. For example, these settings make PDFs open in Edge by default.
Removing these associations prevents Windows from enforcing default apps, giving you more control over which applications handle your files. This may improve privacy by stopping Windows from redirecting your files to Microsoft apps without your consent. It also makes it harder for forensic analysis to study which apps you commonly use to open specific file types.
After running this script, you may need to manually choose which app opens each file type the first time you open it. which app opens each file type the first time you open it.
Technical Details
This script uses the DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool with the
Remove-DefaultAppAssociations command to remove preset app associations 1.
Sources
- DISM Default Application Association Servicing Command-Line Options. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/dism-default-application-association-servicing-command-line-options
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240919080453/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-hardware/manufacture/desktop/dism-default-application-association-servicing-command-line-options?view=windows-11
Apply Now
Choose one of three ways to apply:
Download script
Download and run the script directly- No app needed
- Offline usage
- Easy-to-apply
- Free
- Open-source
Help
How to apply or restore "Remove associations of default apps" using script
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Web Browser
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 5 instructions
- 1
Download
Download the script file by clicking on the button above.
Use button above to restore changes. - 2
Keep the file
If warned by your browser, keep the file. - 3
Open
Open the downloaded file. - 4
Exit
Once it's done, press any key to exit the window. - 5
Restart
Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.
Apply with privacy.sexy
Guided, automated application with safety checks- Recommended for most users
- Includes safety checks
- Free
- Open-source
- Popular
- Offline/Online usage
Help
How to apply or restore "Remove associations of default apps" using privacy.sexy
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: privacy.sexy
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 4 instructions
- 2
Choose script
- Search for the script name: Remove associations of default apps
- Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- 3
Run
Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.
- Apply
- Revert
dism /online /Remove-DefaultAppAssociations
bnVsbA==
Help
How to apply or restore "Remove associations of default apps" using commands
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Command Prompt
- Difficulty: Medium
- ≈ 3 instructions
- 1
Open Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt as Administrator. - 2
Copy code
Copy the code: - 3
Paste & run
Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.Some changes require a system restart to take effect
Similar Guides
Wider Goal
The guide below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.
Same Goal
Other guides in Privacy cleanup See settings that are in the same category as this guide.Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.
See all 13 guides
About the Creators
These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:
undergroundwires- Certified security professional
- 7+ years experience securing banks
- Open-source developer since 2005
- EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
- Open-Source Contributors
- Hundreds across the globe
- Testers, reviewers, developers
- Companies, military agencies
- Community since 2017
Reviewed By
This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:Expert review by undergroundwires
- Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
- Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
- Audited and verified using automated security tests
Public review by large community
- Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
- Millions of end-users tested across different environments
- Audited and verified using third-party security software
History
We continually monitor our guides, their impact and other potential privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.