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Remove Edge (Legacy) user associations

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Impact: Medium

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Moderate

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

    This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • 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 user associations for the legacy Microsoft Edge browser. Even though these are user defaults, Windows includes Microsoft Edge (Legacy) as the default browser for some associations on older versions of Windows.

It enhances privacy by preventing the legacy Edge browser from automatically opening specific file types and URLs. This helps reduce data collection and tracking by the legacy Edge browser. If you have removed the legacy Edge browser, this script improves system stability by removing orphaned file and URL associations. It may improve system performance by preventing attempts to load non-existent legacy Edge components when opening associated files or URLs.

The script applies only to Edge (Legacy) and does not affect newer versions of Edge. It is relevant for older Windows versions, especially Windows 10 Pro 19H1 (1903).

Caution

Removing these associations will prompt you to choose a default application the next time you open files or URLs previously associated with legacy Edge. Remember to set up an alternative browser.

Technical Details​

On modern Windows versions (Windows 10 Pro ≥ 19H2 and Windows 11 Pro ≥ 21H2), there are no user-chosen associations for Legacy Edge. These associations were last observed on Windows 10 Pro 19H1 (1903). They are not present in later Windows versions, with testing confirmed up to Windows 10 Pro 22H2 and Windows 11 Pro 23H2.

The script removes the following associations on Windows 19H1 (1903):

ProgIDTypeAssociationRegistryPath
AppXq0fevzme2pys62n3e0fbqa7peapykr8vURLhttpHKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\http\UserChoice
AppX90nv6nhay5n6a98fnetv7tpk64pp35esURLhttpsHKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\https\UserChoice
AppX7rm9drdg8sk7vqndwj3sdjw11x96jc0yURLmicrosoft-edgeHKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\microsoft-edge\UserChoice
AppX3xxs313wwkfjhythsb8q46xdsq8d2cvvURLmicrosoft-edge-holographicHKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\microsoft-edge-holographic\UserChoice
AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9File.htmHKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.htm\UserChoice
AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9File.htmlHKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.html\UserChoice
AppXd4nrz8ff68srnhf9t5a8sbjyar1cr723File.pdfHKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.pdf\UserChoice

To verify these associations, use the following PowerShell script:

$legacyEdgeProgIds = @(
    'AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9',
    'AppXd4nrz8ff68srnhf9t5a8sbjyar1cr723',
    'AppXq0fevzme2pys62n3e0fbqa7peapykr8v',
    'AppX90nv6nhay5n6a98fnetv7tpk64pp35es',
    'AppX7rm9drdg8sk7vqndwj3sdjw11x96jc0y',
    'AppX3xxs313wwkfjhythsb8q46xdsq8d2cvv'
)
$baseRegistryPaths = @(
    'HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations',
    'HKCU:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts'
)
$results = @()
foreach ($baseKey in $baseRegistryPaths) {
    $subKeys = Get-ChildItem -Path $baseKey -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    foreach ($subKey in $subKeys) {
        $userChoicePath = Join-Path $subKey.PSPath 'UserChoice'
        if (-Not (Test-Path $userChoicePath)) {
            continue
        }
        $progId = (Get-ItemProperty -Path $userChoicePath -Name ProgId -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue).ProgId
        if ($progId -and ($legacyEdgeProgIds -contains $progId)) {
            $formattedRegistryPath = $userChoicePath -replace '^Microsoft\.PowerShell\.Core\\Registry::', ''
            $results += [PSCustomObject]@{
                ProgID = $progId
                Association = $subKey.PSChildName
                RegistryPath = $formattedRegistryPath
            }
        }
    }
}
$results | Format-Table -AutoSize
Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.

Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

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Help

How to apply or restore "Remove Edge (Legacy) user associations" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
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    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

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  • ≈ 4 instructions
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    1. Search for the script name: Remove Edge (Legacy) user associations
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Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
:: Remove user-chosen URL association for "AppXq0fevzme2pys62n3e0fbqa7peapykr8v" for http URL protocol
:: Delete the registry value "ProgId" from the key "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\http\UserChoice" 
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions later than Windows10-1903.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows10-1903'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-MostRecent' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1903' { '10.0.18362' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for maximum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $maxVersion=[System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -gt $maxVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is above maximum $maxVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $keyName = 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\http\UserChoice'; $valueName = 'ProgId'; $hive = $keyName.Split('\')[0]; $path = "^""$($hive):$($keyName.Substring($hive.Length))"^""; Write-Host "^""Removing the registry value '$valueName' from '$path'."^""; if (-Not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $path)) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no action needed, registry key does not exist.'; Exit 0; }; $existingValueNames = (Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path).PSObject.Properties.Name; if (-Not ($existingValueNames -Contains $valueName)) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no action needed, registry value does not exist.'; Exit 0; }; $expectedData = 'AppXq0fevzme2pys62n3e0fbqa7peapykr8v'; $currentData = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $valueName | Select-Object -ExpandProperty $valueName; if ($currentData -ne $expectedData) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, current data '$currentData' is not same as '$expectedData'."^""; Exit 0; }; try { if ($valueName -ieq '(default)') { Write-Host 'Removing the default value.'; $(Get-Item -LiteralPath $path).OpenSubKey('', $true).DeleteValue(''); } else { Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $valueName -Force -ErrorAction Stop; }; Write-Host 'Successfully removed the registry value.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to remove the registry value: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }"
:: Remove user-chosen URL association for "AppX90nv6nhay5n6a98fnetv7tpk64pp35es" for https URL protocol
:: Delete the registry value "ProgId" from the key "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\https\UserChoice" 
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions later than Windows10-1903.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows10-1903'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-MostRecent' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1903' { '10.0.18362' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for maximum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $maxVersion=[System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -gt $maxVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is above maximum $maxVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $keyName = 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\https\UserChoice'; $valueName = 'ProgId'; $hive = $keyName.Split('\')[0]; $path = "^""$($hive):$($keyName.Substring($hive.Length))"^""; Write-Host "^""Removing the registry value '$valueName' from '$path'."^""; if (-Not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $path)) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no action needed, registry key does not exist.'; Exit 0; }; $existingValueNames = (Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path).PSObject.Properties.Name; if (-Not ($existingValueNames -Contains $valueName)) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no action needed, registry value does not exist.'; Exit 0; }; $expectedData = 'AppX90nv6nhay5n6a98fnetv7tpk64pp35es'; $currentData = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $valueName | Select-Object -ExpandProperty $valueName; if ($currentData -ne $expectedData) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, current data '$currentData' is not same as '$expectedData'."^""; Exit 0; }; try { if ($valueName -ieq '(default)') { Write-Host 'Removing the default value.'; $(Get-Item -LiteralPath $path).OpenSubKey('', $true).DeleteValue(''); } else { Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $valueName -Force -ErrorAction Stop; }; Write-Host 'Successfully removed the registry value.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to remove the registry value: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }"
:: Remove user-chosen URL association for "AppX7rm9drdg8sk7vqndwj3sdjw11x96jc0y" for microsoft-edge URL protocol
:: Delete the registry value "ProgId" from the key "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\microsoft-edge\UserChoice" 
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions later than Windows10-1903.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows10-1903'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-MostRecent' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1903' { '10.0.18362' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for maximum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $maxVersion=[System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -gt $maxVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is above maximum $maxVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $keyName = 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\microsoft-edge\UserChoice'; $valueName = 'ProgId'; $hive = $keyName.Split('\')[0]; $path = "^""$($hive):$($keyName.Substring($hive.Length))"^""; Write-Host "^""Removing the registry value '$valueName' from '$path'."^""; if (-Not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $path)) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no action needed, registry key does not exist.'; Exit 0; }; $existingValueNames = (Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path).PSObject.Properties.Name; if (-Not ($existingValueNames -Contains $valueName)) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no action needed, registry value does not exist.'; Exit 0; }; $expectedData = 'AppX7rm9drdg8sk7vqndwj3sdjw11x96jc0y'; $currentData = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $valueName | Select-Object -ExpandProperty $valueName; if ($currentData -ne $expectedData) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, current data '$currentData' is not same as '$expectedData'."^""; Exit 0; }; try { if ($valueName -ieq '(default)') { Write-Host 'Removing the default value.'; $(Get-Item -LiteralPath $path).OpenSubKey('', $true).DeleteValue(''); } else { Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $valueName -Force -ErrorAction Stop; }; Write-Host 'Successfully removed the registry value.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to remove the registry value: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }"
:: Remove user-chosen URL association for "AppX3xxs313wwkfjhythsb8q46xdsq8d2cvv" for microsoft-edge-holographic URL protocol
:: Delete the registry value "ProgId" from the key "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\microsoft-edge-holographic\UserChoice" 
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions later than Windows10-1903.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows10-1903'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-MostRecent' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1903' { '10.0.18362' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for maximum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $maxVersion=[System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -gt $maxVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is above maximum $maxVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $keyName = 'HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\microsoft-edge-holographic\UserChoice'; $valueName = 'ProgId'; $hive = $keyName.Split('\')[0]; $path = "^""$($hive):$($keyName.Substring($hive.Length))"^""; Write-Host "^""Removing the registry value '$valueName' from '$path'."^""; if (-Not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $path)) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no action needed, registry key does not exist.'; Exit 0; }; $existingValueNames = (Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path).PSObject.Properties.Name; if (-Not ($existingValueNames -Contains $valueName)) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no action needed, registry value does not exist.'; Exit 0; }; $expectedData = 'AppX3xxs313wwkfjhythsb8q46xdsq8d2cvv'; $currentData = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $valueName | Select-Object -ExpandProperty $valueName; if ($currentData -ne $expectedData) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, current data '$currentData' is not same as '$expectedData'."^""; Exit 0; }; try { if ($valueName -ieq '(default)') { Write-Host 'Removing the default value.'; $(Get-Item -LiteralPath $path).OpenSubKey('', $true).DeleteValue(''); } else { Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $valueName -Force -ErrorAction Stop; }; Write-Host 'Successfully removed the registry value.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to remove the registry value: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }"
:: Remove user-chosen file association for "AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9" for .htm files
:: Delete the registry value "ProgId" from the key "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.htm\UserChoice" (with additional permissions)
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions later than Windows10-1903.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows10-1903'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-MostRecent' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1903' { '10.0.18362' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for maximum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $maxVersion=[System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -gt $maxVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is above maximum $maxVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $RawRegistryPath = 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.htm\UserChoice'; $AclChanges = [PSCustomObject]@{ PreviousOwner = $null; RemovedRules = @(); AddedRules = @(); InheritanceDisabled = $false; }; function Test-AccessModified { return $AclChanges.PreviousOwner -Or $AclChanges.RemovedRules.Count -gt 0 -Or $AclChanges.AddedRules.Count  -gt 0 -Or $AclChanges.InheritanceDisabled; }; function Open-RegistryKey { param ([Parameter(Mandatory=$true)][int]$Rights); <# [OutputType([Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey])] # Not working through cmd.exe #>; $hive = $RawRegistryPath.Split('\')[0]; $pathWithoutHive = $RawRegistryPath.Substring($hive.Length + 1); try { $rootKey = switch ($hive) { 'HKCU' { [Microsoft.Win32.Registry]::CurrentUser }; 'HKLM' { [Microsoft.Win32.Registry]::LocalMachine }; default { Write-Error "^""Internal error: Unknown registry hive ($hive)."^""; Exit 1; }; }; $key = $rootKey.OpenSubKey( $pathWithoutHive, [Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKeyPermissionCheck]::ReadWriteSubTree, $Rights ); } catch { throw "^""Error when opening '$pathWithoutHive' on '$hive' hive: $_"^""; }; if (-Not $key) { throw "^""Unknown error when opening '$pathWithoutHive' on '$hive' hive."^""; }; return $key; }; function Grant-Permissions { Write-Host "^""Granting permissions to '$RawRegistryPath' registry key."^""; $adminSid = New-Object System.Security.Principal.SecurityIdentifier 'S-1-5-32-544'; $adminAccount = $adminSid.Translate([System.Security.Principal.NTAccount]); try { $subkey = Open-RegistryKey -Rights ([System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::TakeOwnership); $acl = $subkey.GetAccessControl(); $owner = $acl.GetOwner([System.Security.Principal.NTAccount]); if ($owner -eq $adminAccount) { $subkey.Close(); } else { $AclChanges.PreviousOwner = $owner; $acl.SetOwner($adminAccount); $subkey.SetAccessControl($acl); $subkey.Close(); Write-Host "^""Successfully took ownership from '$($owner.Value)'."^""; }; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to take ownership. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; try { $subkey = Open-RegistryKey -Rights ([System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::ChangePermissions); $acl = $subkey.GetAccessControl(); $adminFullControlExists = $acl.Access | Where-Object { $_.IdentityReference -eq $adminAccount -and $_.RegistryRights -eq [System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::FullControl -and $_.AccessControlType -eq [System.Security.AccessControl.AccessControlType]::Allow }; if (-Not $adminFullControlExists) { Write-Host 'Granting full control to administrators.'; $fullControlRule = New-Object System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryAccessRule( $adminAccount, [System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::FullControl, [System.Security.AccessControl.AccessControlType]::Allow ); $acl.AddAccessRule($fullControlRule); $AclChanges.AddedRules += $fullControlRule; }; if ($acl.AreAccessRulesProtected) { $acl.SetAccessRuleProtection($false, $false); $AclChanges.InheritanceDisabled = $true; }; $denyRules = @($acl.Access.Where({ $_.AccessControlType -eq 'Deny' })); foreach ($denyRule in $denyRules) { Write-Host "^""Removing a deny rule for '$($denyRule.IdentityReference)'."^""; if ($acl.RemoveAccessRule($denyRule)) { $AclChanges.RemovedRules += $denyRule; } else { Write-Warning 'Failed to remove the rule.'; }; }; if (-Not (Test-AccessModified)) { Write-Host 'No access modifications were necessary.'; $subkey.Close(); } else { $subkey.SetAccessControl($acl); $subkey.Close(); Write-Host 'Successfully applied new access rules.'; }; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to modify access. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; function Revoke-Permissions { Write-Host "^""Restoring permissions: '$RawRegistryPath'."^""; if (-Not (Test-AccessModified)) { Write-Host 'Skipping revoking permissions, they were not granted.'; return; } else { try { $subkey = Open-RegistryKey -Rights ( [System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::TakeOwnership -bor [System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::ChangePermissions ); $acl = $subkey.GetAccessControl(); if ($AclChanges.PreviousOwner) { Write-Host 'Restoring owner.'; $acl.SetOwner($AclChanges.PreviousOwner); }; foreach ($rule in $AclChanges.AddedRules) { Write-Host "^""Removing rule for '$($rule.IdentityReference)'."^""; if (-Not $acl.RemoveAccessRule($rule)) { Write-Warning 'Failed to remove the rule.'; }; }; foreach ($rule in $AclChanges.RemovedRules) { $acl.AddAccessRule($rule); Write-Host "^""Adding a rule for '$($rule.IdentityReference)'."^""; }; if ($AclChanges.InheritanceDisabled) { $acl.SetAccessRuleProtection($true, $true); Write-Host 'Restoring inheritance.'; }; $subkey.SetAccessControl($acl); $subkey.Close(); Write-Host 'Successfully restored permissions.'; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to restore permissions. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; }; $keyName = 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.htm\UserChoice'; $valueName = 'ProgId'; $hive = $keyName.Split('\')[0]; $path = "^""$($hive):$($keyName.Substring($hive.Length))"^""; Write-Host "^""Removing the registry value '$valueName' from '$path'."^""; if (-Not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $path)) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no action needed, registry key does not exist.'; Exit 0; }; $existingValueNames = (Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path).PSObject.Properties.Name; if (-Not ($existingValueNames -Contains $valueName)) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no action needed, registry value does not exist.'; Exit 0; }; $expectedData = 'AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9'; $currentData = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $valueName | Select-Object -ExpandProperty $valueName; if ($currentData -ne $expectedData) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, current data '$currentData' is not same as '$expectedData'."^""; Exit 0; }; Grant-Permissions; try { if ($valueName -ieq '(default)') { Write-Host 'Removing the default value.'; $(Get-Item -LiteralPath $path).OpenSubKey('', $true).DeleteValue(''); } else { Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $valueName -Force -ErrorAction Stop; }; Write-Host 'Successfully removed the registry value.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to remove the registry value: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; } finally { Revoke-Permissions }"
:: Remove user-chosen file association for "AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9" for .html files
:: Delete the registry value "ProgId" from the key "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.html\UserChoice" (with additional permissions)
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions later than Windows10-1903.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows10-1903'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-MostRecent' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1903' { '10.0.18362' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for maximum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $maxVersion=[System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -gt $maxVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is above maximum $maxVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $RawRegistryPath = 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.html\UserChoice'; $AclChanges = [PSCustomObject]@{ PreviousOwner = $null; RemovedRules = @(); AddedRules = @(); InheritanceDisabled = $false; }; function Test-AccessModified { return $AclChanges.PreviousOwner -Or $AclChanges.RemovedRules.Count -gt 0 -Or $AclChanges.AddedRules.Count  -gt 0 -Or $AclChanges.InheritanceDisabled; }; function Open-RegistryKey { param ([Parameter(Mandatory=$true)][int]$Rights); <# [OutputType([Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey])] # Not working through cmd.exe #>; $hive = $RawRegistryPath.Split('\')[0]; $pathWithoutHive = $RawRegistryPath.Substring($hive.Length + 1); try { $rootKey = switch ($hive) { 'HKCU' { [Microsoft.Win32.Registry]::CurrentUser }; 'HKLM' { [Microsoft.Win32.Registry]::LocalMachine }; default { Write-Error "^""Internal error: Unknown registry hive ($hive)."^""; Exit 1; }; }; $key = $rootKey.OpenSubKey( $pathWithoutHive, [Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKeyPermissionCheck]::ReadWriteSubTree, $Rights ); } catch { throw "^""Error when opening '$pathWithoutHive' on '$hive' hive: $_"^""; }; if (-Not $key) { throw "^""Unknown error when opening '$pathWithoutHive' on '$hive' hive."^""; }; return $key; }; function Grant-Permissions { Write-Host "^""Granting permissions to '$RawRegistryPath' registry key."^""; $adminSid = New-Object System.Security.Principal.SecurityIdentifier 'S-1-5-32-544'; $adminAccount = $adminSid.Translate([System.Security.Principal.NTAccount]); try { $subkey = Open-RegistryKey -Rights ([System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::TakeOwnership); $acl = $subkey.GetAccessControl(); $owner = $acl.GetOwner([System.Security.Principal.NTAccount]); if ($owner -eq $adminAccount) { $subkey.Close(); } else { $AclChanges.PreviousOwner = $owner; $acl.SetOwner($adminAccount); $subkey.SetAccessControl($acl); $subkey.Close(); Write-Host "^""Successfully took ownership from '$($owner.Value)'."^""; }; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to take ownership. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; try { $subkey = Open-RegistryKey -Rights ([System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::ChangePermissions); $acl = $subkey.GetAccessControl(); $adminFullControlExists = $acl.Access | Where-Object { $_.IdentityReference -eq $adminAccount -and $_.RegistryRights -eq [System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::FullControl -and $_.AccessControlType -eq [System.Security.AccessControl.AccessControlType]::Allow }; if (-Not $adminFullControlExists) { Write-Host 'Granting full control to administrators.'; $fullControlRule = New-Object System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryAccessRule( $adminAccount, [System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::FullControl, [System.Security.AccessControl.AccessControlType]::Allow ); $acl.AddAccessRule($fullControlRule); $AclChanges.AddedRules += $fullControlRule; }; if ($acl.AreAccessRulesProtected) { $acl.SetAccessRuleProtection($false, $false); $AclChanges.InheritanceDisabled = $true; }; $denyRules = @($acl.Access.Where({ $_.AccessControlType -eq 'Deny' })); foreach ($denyRule in $denyRules) { Write-Host "^""Removing a deny rule for '$($denyRule.IdentityReference)'."^""; if ($acl.RemoveAccessRule($denyRule)) { $AclChanges.RemovedRules += $denyRule; } else { Write-Warning 'Failed to remove the rule.'; }; }; if (-Not (Test-AccessModified)) { Write-Host 'No access modifications were necessary.'; $subkey.Close(); } else { $subkey.SetAccessControl($acl); $subkey.Close(); Write-Host 'Successfully applied new access rules.'; }; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to modify access. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; function Revoke-Permissions { Write-Host "^""Restoring permissions: '$RawRegistryPath'."^""; if (-Not (Test-AccessModified)) { Write-Host 'Skipping revoking permissions, they were not granted.'; return; } else { try { $subkey = Open-RegistryKey -Rights ( [System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::TakeOwnership -bor [System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::ChangePermissions ); $acl = $subkey.GetAccessControl(); if ($AclChanges.PreviousOwner) { Write-Host 'Restoring owner.'; $acl.SetOwner($AclChanges.PreviousOwner); }; foreach ($rule in $AclChanges.AddedRules) { Write-Host "^""Removing rule for '$($rule.IdentityReference)'."^""; if (-Not $acl.RemoveAccessRule($rule)) { Write-Warning 'Failed to remove the rule.'; }; }; foreach ($rule in $AclChanges.RemovedRules) { $acl.AddAccessRule($rule); Write-Host "^""Adding a rule for '$($rule.IdentityReference)'."^""; }; if ($AclChanges.InheritanceDisabled) { $acl.SetAccessRuleProtection($true, $true); Write-Host 'Restoring inheritance.'; }; $subkey.SetAccessControl($acl); $subkey.Close(); Write-Host 'Successfully restored permissions.'; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to restore permissions. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; }; $keyName = 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.html\UserChoice'; $valueName = 'ProgId'; $hive = $keyName.Split('\')[0]; $path = "^""$($hive):$($keyName.Substring($hive.Length))"^""; Write-Host "^""Removing the registry value '$valueName' from '$path'."^""; if (-Not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $path)) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no action needed, registry key does not exist.'; Exit 0; }; $existingValueNames = (Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path).PSObject.Properties.Name; if (-Not ($existingValueNames -Contains $valueName)) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no action needed, registry value does not exist.'; Exit 0; }; $expectedData = 'AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9'; $currentData = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $valueName | Select-Object -ExpandProperty $valueName; if ($currentData -ne $expectedData) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, current data '$currentData' is not same as '$expectedData'."^""; Exit 0; }; Grant-Permissions; try { if ($valueName -ieq '(default)') { Write-Host 'Removing the default value.'; $(Get-Item -LiteralPath $path).OpenSubKey('', $true).DeleteValue(''); } else { Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $valueName -Force -ErrorAction Stop; }; Write-Host 'Successfully removed the registry value.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to remove the registry value: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; } finally { Revoke-Permissions }"
:: Remove user-chosen file association for "AppXd4nrz8ff68srnhf9t5a8sbjyar1cr723" for .pdf files
:: Delete the registry value "ProgId" from the key "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.pdf\UserChoice" (with additional permissions)
:: This operation will not run on Windows versions later than Windows10-1903.
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$versionName = 'Windows10-1903'; $buildNumber = switch ($versionName) { 'Windows11-21H2' { '10.0.22000' }; 'Windows10-MostRecent' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-22H2' { '10.0.19045' }; 'Windows10-1909' { '10.0.18363' }; 'Windows10-1903' { '10.0.18362' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: No build for maximum Windows '$versionName'"^""; }; }; $maxVersion=[System.Version]::Parse($buildNumber); $ver = [Environment]::OSVersion.Version; $verNoPatch = [System.Version]::new($ver.Major, $ver.Minor, $ver.Build); if ($verNoPatch -gt $maxVersion) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: Windows ($verNoPatch) is above maximum $maxVersion ($versionName)"^""; Exit 0; }; $RawRegistryPath = 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.pdf\UserChoice'; $AclChanges = [PSCustomObject]@{ PreviousOwner = $null; RemovedRules = @(); AddedRules = @(); InheritanceDisabled = $false; }; function Test-AccessModified { return $AclChanges.PreviousOwner -Or $AclChanges.RemovedRules.Count -gt 0 -Or $AclChanges.AddedRules.Count  -gt 0 -Or $AclChanges.InheritanceDisabled; }; function Open-RegistryKey { param ([Parameter(Mandatory=$true)][int]$Rights); <# [OutputType([Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKey])] # Not working through cmd.exe #>; $hive = $RawRegistryPath.Split('\')[0]; $pathWithoutHive = $RawRegistryPath.Substring($hive.Length + 1); try { $rootKey = switch ($hive) { 'HKCU' { [Microsoft.Win32.Registry]::CurrentUser }; 'HKLM' { [Microsoft.Win32.Registry]::LocalMachine }; default { Write-Error "^""Internal error: Unknown registry hive ($hive)."^""; Exit 1; }; }; $key = $rootKey.OpenSubKey( $pathWithoutHive, [Microsoft.Win32.RegistryKeyPermissionCheck]::ReadWriteSubTree, $Rights ); } catch { throw "^""Error when opening '$pathWithoutHive' on '$hive' hive: $_"^""; }; if (-Not $key) { throw "^""Unknown error when opening '$pathWithoutHive' on '$hive' hive."^""; }; return $key; }; function Grant-Permissions { Write-Host "^""Granting permissions to '$RawRegistryPath' registry key."^""; $adminSid = New-Object System.Security.Principal.SecurityIdentifier 'S-1-5-32-544'; $adminAccount = $adminSid.Translate([System.Security.Principal.NTAccount]); try { $subkey = Open-RegistryKey -Rights ([System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::TakeOwnership); $acl = $subkey.GetAccessControl(); $owner = $acl.GetOwner([System.Security.Principal.NTAccount]); if ($owner -eq $adminAccount) { $subkey.Close(); } else { $AclChanges.PreviousOwner = $owner; $acl.SetOwner($adminAccount); $subkey.SetAccessControl($acl); $subkey.Close(); Write-Host "^""Successfully took ownership from '$($owner.Value)'."^""; }; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to take ownership. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; try { $subkey = Open-RegistryKey -Rights ([System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::ChangePermissions); $acl = $subkey.GetAccessControl(); $adminFullControlExists = $acl.Access | Where-Object { $_.IdentityReference -eq $adminAccount -and $_.RegistryRights -eq [System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::FullControl -and $_.AccessControlType -eq [System.Security.AccessControl.AccessControlType]::Allow }; if (-Not $adminFullControlExists) { Write-Host 'Granting full control to administrators.'; $fullControlRule = New-Object System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryAccessRule( $adminAccount, [System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::FullControl, [System.Security.AccessControl.AccessControlType]::Allow ); $acl.AddAccessRule($fullControlRule); $AclChanges.AddedRules += $fullControlRule; }; if ($acl.AreAccessRulesProtected) { $acl.SetAccessRuleProtection($false, $false); $AclChanges.InheritanceDisabled = $true; }; $denyRules = @($acl.Access.Where({ $_.AccessControlType -eq 'Deny' })); foreach ($denyRule in $denyRules) { Write-Host "^""Removing a deny rule for '$($denyRule.IdentityReference)'."^""; if ($acl.RemoveAccessRule($denyRule)) { $AclChanges.RemovedRules += $denyRule; } else { Write-Warning 'Failed to remove the rule.'; }; }; if (-Not (Test-AccessModified)) { Write-Host 'No access modifications were necessary.'; $subkey.Close(); } else { $subkey.SetAccessControl($acl); $subkey.Close(); Write-Host 'Successfully applied new access rules.'; }; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to modify access. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; function Revoke-Permissions { Write-Host "^""Restoring permissions: '$RawRegistryPath'."^""; if (-Not (Test-AccessModified)) { Write-Host 'Skipping revoking permissions, they were not granted.'; return; } else { try { $subkey = Open-RegistryKey -Rights ( [System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::TakeOwnership -bor [System.Security.AccessControl.RegistryRights]::ChangePermissions ); $acl = $subkey.GetAccessControl(); if ($AclChanges.PreviousOwner) { Write-Host 'Restoring owner.'; $acl.SetOwner($AclChanges.PreviousOwner); }; foreach ($rule in $AclChanges.AddedRules) { Write-Host "^""Removing rule for '$($rule.IdentityReference)'."^""; if (-Not $acl.RemoveAccessRule($rule)) { Write-Warning 'Failed to remove the rule.'; }; }; foreach ($rule in $AclChanges.RemovedRules) { $acl.AddAccessRule($rule); Write-Host "^""Adding a rule for '$($rule.IdentityReference)'."^""; }; if ($AclChanges.InheritanceDisabled) { $acl.SetAccessRuleProtection($true, $true); Write-Host 'Restoring inheritance.'; }; $subkey.SetAccessControl($acl); $subkey.Close(); Write-Host 'Successfully restored permissions.'; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to restore permissions. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; }; $keyName = 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.pdf\UserChoice'; $valueName = 'ProgId'; $hive = $keyName.Split('\')[0]; $path = "^""$($hive):$($keyName.Substring($hive.Length))"^""; Write-Host "^""Removing the registry value '$valueName' from '$path'."^""; if (-Not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $path)) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no action needed, registry key does not exist.'; Exit 0; }; $existingValueNames = (Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path).PSObject.Properties.Name; if (-Not ($existingValueNames -Contains $valueName)) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no action needed, registry value does not exist.'; Exit 0; }; $expectedData = 'AppXd4nrz8ff68srnhf9t5a8sbjyar1cr723'; $currentData = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $valueName | Select-Object -ExpandProperty $valueName; if ($currentData -ne $expectedData) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, no action needed, current data '$currentData' is not same as '$expectedData'."^""; Exit 0; }; Grant-Permissions; try { if ($valueName -ieq '(default)') { Write-Host 'Removing the default value.'; $(Get-Item -LiteralPath $path).OpenSubKey('', $true).DeleteValue(''); } else { Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $valueName -Force -ErrorAction Stop; }; Write-Host 'Successfully removed the registry value.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to remove the registry value: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; } finally { Revoke-Permissions }"
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove Edge (Legacy) user associations" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

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