Set IE 6 as default browser through GPO

Costa · External Since: Jul 27, 2007 Posts: 3

Hi

I need to ensure that IE is the default browser for all users. We work in a
Citrix environment and some applications like Lotus Notes will change the
default browser for users and mess up the opening of url links.

How can I force IE to be set as the default browser via GPO every time they
log in?

I know in "Group Policy ==>User Configuration==>Windows Settings==>Internet
Explorer Maintenance ==> Programs" default programs can be set but this does
not set the default browser but rather email client, HTML Editor etc. I'm not
sure if this will force IE to be the default browser.

Any input is appreciated. Thanks
CL

Jon Kennedy · External Since: Feb 16, 2005 Posts: 2183

I don't see where IE can be set as the default browser in GP. See this
instead:

How to use the Set Program Access and Defaults feature in Windows XP Service
Pack 1
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328326/en-us

Working with Set Program Access and Computer Defaults
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa969379.aspx

For better management of IE for all your users, may I suggest using the
IEAK:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/bb219517.aspx
--

Jon R. Kennedy MS MVP/IE
Charlotte, NC USA
jkennedy2 DeleteThis @carolina.rr.com

"Costa" wrote in message

> Hi
>
> I need to ensure that IE is the default browser for all users. We work in
> a
> Citrix environment and some applications like Lotus Notes will change the
> default browser for users and mess up the opening of url links.
>
> How can I force IE to be set as the default browser via GPO every time
> they
> log in?
>
> I know in "Group Policy ==>User Configuration==>Windows
> Settings==>Internet
> Explorer Maintenance ==> Programs" default programs can be set but this
> does
> not set the default browser but rather email client, HTML Editor etc. I'm
> not
> sure if this will force IE to be the default browser.
>
> Any input is appreciated. Thanks
> CL

Costa · External Since: Jul 27, 2007 Posts: 3

Thank you for taking the time to respond Jon but I already knew there wasnt a
GPO out of the box to do this and access setting the default application
settings isnt what I was looking for.

Changing the default browser actually makes extensive registry modifications
by changing the association of every possible web extension you can think of
in at least 2 places if not more, this leaves a lot of room for error.

Is there an ADM file someone might have created or script that might change
the default browser on log in?

I want to try to avaoid using the IEAK as well.

Thanks

"Jon Kennedy" wrote:

> I don't see where IE can be set as the default browser in GP. See this
> instead:
>
> How to use the Set Program Access and Defaults feature in Windows XP Service
> Pack 1
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328326/en-us
>
> Working with Set Program Access and Computer Defaults
> http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa969379.aspx
>
> For better management of IE for all your users, may I suggest using the
> IEAK:
> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/ie/bb219517.aspx
> --
>
> Jon R. Kennedy MS MVP/IE
> Charlotte, NC USA
> jkennedy2.RemoveThis@carolina.rr.com
>
>
> "Costa" wrote in message
>
> > Hi
> >
> > I need to ensure that IE is the default browser for all users. We work in
> > a
> > Citrix environment and some applications like Lotus Notes will change the
> > default browser for users and mess up the opening of url links.
> >
> > How can I force IE to be set as the default browser via GPO every time
> > they
> > log in?
> >
> > I know in "Group Policy ==>User Configuration==>Windows
> > Settings==>Internet
> > Explorer Maintenance ==> Programs" default programs can be set but this
> > does
> > not set the default browser but rather email client, HTML Editor etc. I'm
> > not
> > sure if this will force IE to be the default browser.
> >
> > Any input is appreciated. Thanks
> > CL
>
>
>

Jon Kennedy · External Since: Feb 16, 2005 Posts: 2183

Use the .reg file here on start-up:
http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFAQ.htm#IE_Default

You could use this to deploy:
http://www.desktopstandard.com/PolicyMakerRegistryExtension.aspx
Or use RegToAdm here:
http://yizhar.mvps.org/

--

Jon R. Kennedy MS MVP/IE
Charlotte, NC USA
jkennedy2.TakeThisOut@carolina.rr.com

"Costa" wrote in message

> Thank you for taking the time to respond Jon but I already knew there
> wasnt a
> GPO out of the box to do this and access setting the default application
> settings isnt what I was looking for.
>
>
> Changing the default browser actually makes extensive registry
> modifications
> by changing the association of every possible web extension you can think
> of
> in at least 2 places if not more, this leaves a lot of room for error.
>
>
> Is there an ADM file someone might have created or script that might
> change
> the default browser on log in?
>
> I want to try to avaoid using the IEAK as well.
>
> Thanks
>

Costa · External Since: Jul 27, 2007 Posts: 3

Thats the bomb! great stuff Jon.

That NUTS is amazing!!!

Thanks a million.

CL

"Jon Kennedy" wrote:

> Use the .reg file here on start-up:
> http://windowsxp.mvps.org/IEFAQ.htm#IE_Default
>
> You could use this to deploy:
> http://www.desktopstandard.com/PolicyMakerRegistryExtension.aspx
> Or use RegToAdm here:
> http://yizhar.mvps.org/
>
> --
>
> Jon R. Kennedy MS MVP/IE
> Charlotte, NC USA
> jkennedy2.RemoveThis@carolina.rr.com
>
>
> "Costa" wrote in message
>
> > Thank you for taking the time to respond Jon but I already knew there
> > wasnt a
> > GPO out of the box to do this and access setting the default application
> > settings isnt what I was looking for.
> >
> >
> > Changing the default browser actually makes extensive registry
> > modifications
> > by changing the association of every possible web extension you can think
> > of
> > in at least 2 places if not more, this leaves a lot of room for error.
> >
> >
> > Is there an ADM file someone might have created or script that might
> > change
> > the default browser on log in?
> >
> > I want to try to avaoid using the IEAK as well.
> >
> > Thanks
> >
>
>
>