Group Policy SearchGroup Policy Search
English

Set how links are opened in Internet Explorer

Policy ID
DefaultLinksView
Scope
Computer Configuration, User Configuration
Supported on
At least Internet Explorer 10.0 on Windows 8
Source
Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category
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.

Options

  • Default browser launch behavior for links
    • Let Internet Explorer decide
    • Always in Internet Explorer
    • Always in Internet Explorer on the desktop

Registry

ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MainView registry values
  • AssociationActivationModeREG_DWORD
UserHKEY_CURRENT_USER
HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MainView registry values
  • AssociationActivationModeREG_DWORD

Other policies in the same category

View all policies in this category (2)