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Default risk level for file attachments

Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 30, 2026

Windows 11 25H2

Supported on: At least Windows XP Professional with SP2

Path in the GPO console

User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Attachment Manager

Description

This policy setting allows you to manage the default risk level for file types. To fully customize the risk level for file attachments, you may also need to configure the trust logic for file attachments. High Risk: If the attachment is in the list of high-risk file types and is from the restricted zone, Windows blocks the user from accessing the file. If the file is from the Internet zone, Windows prompts the user before accessing the file. Moderate Risk: If the attachment is in the list of moderate-risk file types and is from the restricted or Internet zone, Windows prompts the user before accessing the file. Low Risk: If the attachment is in the list of low-risk file types, Windows will not prompt the user before accessing the file, regardless of the file's zone information. If you enable this policy setting, you can specify the default risk level for file types. If you disable this policy setting, Windows sets the default risk level to moderate. If you do not configure this policy setting, Windows sets the default risk level to moderate.

Registry

HKCU Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Associations

More options available

Options

Set the default risk level
DefaultFileTypeRisk enum
  • High Risk -> 6150
  • Moderate Risk -> 6151 (default)
  • Low Risk -> 6152

MDM / Intune (CSP)

./User/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_AttachmentManager/AM_SetFileRiskLevel
User Since Windows 10, version 2004 with KB5005101 [10.0.19041.1202] and later | Windows 10, version 20H2 with KB5005101 [10.0.19042.1202] and later | Windows 10, version 21H1 with KB5005101 [10.0.19043.1202] and later | Windows 11, version 21H2 [10.0.22000] and later Official mapping (Microsoft Learn)

Microsoft Learn documentation Mapping data: Microsoft Learn (CC BY 4.0)

Export Builder

BETA

Configure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.

These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO.

.reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Default risk level for file attachments
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: At least Windows XP Professional with SP2

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Associations]
"DefaultFileTypeRisk"=dword:00001807
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Default risk level for file attachments
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows XP Professional with SP2
# Warning: In SYSTEM context (the Intune default), HKCU targets the SYSTEM profile. Run this script using the logged-on credentials.

$path = 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Associations'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'DefaultFileTypeRisk' -Value 6151 -Type DWord

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