Set how links are opened in Internet Explorer
Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 23, 2026
Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 10.0 on Windows 8
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Internet Settings User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Internet Settings Description
This policy setting allows you to choose how links are opened in Internet Explorer: Let Internet Explorer decide, always in Internet Explorer, or always in Internet Explorer on the desktop. If you enable this policy setting, Internet Explorer enforces your choice. Users cannot change the setting. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, users can choose how links are opened in Internet Explorer.
Registry
HKLM
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main HKCU
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main Export Builder
BETAConfigure 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. ⓘ
Applying both scopes creates an ambiguous configuration (computer takes precedence over user). Only do this intentionally.
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Set how links are opened in Internet Explorer
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 10.0 on Windows 8
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
"AssociationActivationMode"=dword:00000000More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set how links are opened in Internet Explorer
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 10.0 on Windows 8
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'AssociationActivationMode' -Value 0 -Type DWordIntune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune.Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set how links are opened in Internet Explorer
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 10.0 on Windows 8
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main' -Name 'AssociationActivationMode' -Expected 0 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set how links are opened in Internet Explorer
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 10.0 on Windows 8
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'AssociationActivationMode' -Value 0 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set how links are opened in Internet Explorer
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 10.0 on Windows 8
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set how links are opened in Internet Explorer
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 10.0 on Windows 8
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main' -Name 'AssociationActivationMode' -Expected 0 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Set how links are opened in Internet Explorer
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 10.0 on Windows 8
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'AssociationActivationMode' -Value 0 -Type DWordBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.