Remove Edge (Legacy) user associations

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

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):

ProgID	Type	Association	RegistryPath
AppXq0fevzme2pys62n3e0fbqa7peapykr8v	URL	http	HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\http\UserChoice
AppX90nv6nhay5n6a98fnetv7tpk64pp35es	URL	https	HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\https\UserChoice
AppX7rm9drdg8sk7vqndwj3sdjw11x96jc0y	URL	microsoft-edge	HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\microsoft-edge\UserChoice
AppX3xxs313wwkfjhythsb8q46xdsq8d2cvv	URL	microsoft-edge-holographic	HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\Shell\Associations\UrlAssociations\microsoft-edge-holographic\UserChoice
AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9	File	.htm	HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.htm\UserChoice
AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9	File	.html	HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.html\UserChoice
AppXd4nrz8ff68srnhf9t5a8sbjyar1cr723	File	.pdf	HKCU\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

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

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.

Implementation Details

• Language: batch

• Required Privileges: Administrator rights

• Compatibility: Windows only

• Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories

Remove Edge (Legacy) associations

This action belongs to Remove Edge (Legacy) associations category. This category removes file and URL associations from Microsoft Edge Legacy, to enhance privacy and potentially improve system stability and performance. Edge Legacy, though outdated, may still have associations on modern Windows versions. Removing these associations: Reduces potential data... Read more on category page ▶

Remove Edge (Legacy)

This action belongs to Remove Edge (Legacy) category. This category includes scripts to remove Microsoft Edge Legacy. Microsoft introduced the Legacy version based on the EdgeHTML engine in 2015. However, as of March 9, 2021, they stopped supporting this version, implying it no longer gets security updates or patches. Keeping unsupported software... Read more on category page ▶

Remove system apps

This action belongs to Remove system apps category. This category includes scripts for uninstalling default system apps in Windows. System apps are pre-installed applications located in the C:\Windows* directory. These apps are typically found on C:\Windows\SystemApps\{PackageFamilyName} or C:\Windows\{ShortAppName} folders. They are... Read more on category page ▶

Remove Windows apps

This action belongs to Remove Windows apps category. This category covers the uninstallation of Windows apps. Windows apps were introduced with Windows 8 and are typically acquired and installed through the Store app. Many of these apps come pre-installed on Windows by default. Uninstalling unused or unwanted apps contributes to privacy by... Read more on category page ▶

Remove bloatware

This action belongs to Remove bloatware category. This category configures Windows using 215 scripts. These scripts are organized in 35 categories. The category includes 1 subscripts and 9 subcategories that include more scripts and categories. Read more on category page ▶

Apply now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions

1. Open or download the desktop application
2. Search for the script name: Remove Edge (Legacy) user associations.
3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

   Download script

2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.

HELP: Step-by-step guide

1. Click on Start menu

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

2. Type cmd

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

---

Windows 11

Windows 10

2. Copy the following code:

Code to 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 }"

3. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
4. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code

:: Restore user-chosen file association for "AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9" for .htm files
:: Restore the registry value "ProgId" in key "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.htm\UserChoice" to its original value (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)"^""; }; }; }; $data = 'AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9'; $rawType = 'REG_SZ'; $rawPath = 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.htm\UserChoice'; $value = 'ProgId'; $hive = $rawPath.Split('\')[0]; $path = "^""$($hive):$($rawPath.Substring($hive.Length))"^""; Write-Host "^""Restoring value '$value' at '$path' with type '$rawType' and value '$data'."^""; if (-Not $rawType) { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: Data type is not provided for data '$data'."^""; }; if (-Not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $path)) { try { New-Item -Path $path -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Host 'Successfully created registry key.'; } catch { throw "^""Failed to create registry key: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; $currentData = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $value -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Select-Object -ExpandProperty $value; if ($currentData -eq $data) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no changes required, the registry data is already as expected.'; Exit 0; }; Grant-Permissions; try { $type = switch ($rawType) { 'REG_SZ' { 'String' }; 'REG_DWORD' { 'DWord' }; 'REG_QWORD' { 'QWord' }; 'REG_EXPAND_SZ' { 'ExpandString' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: Failed to find data type for: '$rawType'."^""; }; }; Set-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $value -Value $data -Type $type -Force -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host 'Successfully restored the registry value.'; } catch { throw "^""Failed to restore the value: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; } finally { Revoke-Permissions }"
:: Restore user-chosen file association for "AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9" for .html files
:: Restore the registry value "ProgId" in key "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.html\UserChoice" to its original value (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)"^""; }; }; }; $data = 'AppX4hxtad77fbk3jkkeerkrm0ze94wjf3s9'; $rawType = 'REG_SZ'; $rawPath = 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.html\UserChoice'; $value = 'ProgId'; $hive = $rawPath.Split('\')[0]; $path = "^""$($hive):$($rawPath.Substring($hive.Length))"^""; Write-Host "^""Restoring value '$value' at '$path' with type '$rawType' and value '$data'."^""; if (-Not $rawType) { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: Data type is not provided for data '$data'."^""; }; if (-Not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $path)) { try { New-Item -Path $path -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Host 'Successfully created registry key.'; } catch { throw "^""Failed to create registry key: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; $currentData = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $value -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Select-Object -ExpandProperty $value; if ($currentData -eq $data) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no changes required, the registry data is already as expected.'; Exit 0; }; Grant-Permissions; try { $type = switch ($rawType) { 'REG_SZ' { 'String' }; 'REG_DWORD' { 'DWord' }; 'REG_QWORD' { 'QWord' }; 'REG_EXPAND_SZ' { 'ExpandString' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: Failed to find data type for: '$rawType'."^""; }; }; Set-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $value -Value $data -Type $type -Force -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host 'Successfully restored the registry value.'; } catch { throw "^""Failed to restore the value: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; } finally { Revoke-Permissions }"
:: Restore user-chosen file association for "AppXd4nrz8ff68srnhf9t5a8sbjyar1cr723" for .pdf files
:: Restore the registry value "ProgId" in key "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.pdf\UserChoice" to its original value (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)"^""; }; }; }; $data = 'AppXd4nrz8ff68srnhf9t5a8sbjyar1cr723'; $rawType = 'REG_SZ'; $rawPath = 'HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.pdf\UserChoice'; $value = 'ProgId'; $hive = $rawPath.Split('\')[0]; $path = "^""$($hive):$($rawPath.Substring($hive.Length))"^""; Write-Host "^""Restoring value '$value' at '$path' with type '$rawType' and value '$data'."^""; if (-Not $rawType) { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: Data type is not provided for data '$data'."^""; }; if (-Not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $path)) { try { New-Item -Path $path -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Host 'Successfully created registry key.'; } catch { throw "^""Failed to create registry key: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; $currentData = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $value -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue | Select-Object -ExpandProperty $value; if ($currentData -eq $data) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no changes required, the registry data is already as expected.'; Exit 0; }; Grant-Permissions; try { $type = switch ($rawType) { 'REG_SZ' { 'String' }; 'REG_DWORD' { 'DWord' }; 'REG_QWORD' { 'QWord' }; 'REG_EXPAND_SZ' { 'ExpandString' }; default { throw "^""Internal privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy error: Failed to find data type for: '$rawType'."^""; }; }; Set-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $path -Name $value -Value $data -Type $type -Force -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host 'Successfully restored the registry value.'; } catch { throw "^""Failed to restore the value: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; } finally { Revoke-Permissions }"

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