Block launching desktop apps associated with a file.

Policy ID
AppxRuntimeBlockFileElevation
Scope
Computer Configuration, User Configuration
Supported on
At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
Source
Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category
Windows Components › App runtime

Description

This policy setting lets you control whether packaged Microsoft Store apps can open files using the default desktop app for a file type. Because desktop apps run at a higher integrity level than packaged Microsoft Store apps, there is a risk that a packaged Microsoft Store app might compromise the system by opening a file in the default desktop app for a file type.

If you enable this policy setting, packaged Microsoft Store apps cannot open files in the default desktop app for a file type; they can open files only in other packaged Microsoft Store apps.

If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, packaged Microsoft Store apps can open files in the default desktop app for a file type.

Registry

Other policies in the same category

View all policies in this category (5)