Unable to turn off 'Default file manager'

[luketxr]

If you uninstalled Files before turning off the option to set Files as the default, you can revert the changes using this script. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/files-community/Files/main/src/Files.Launcher/Assets/FilesOpenDialog/UnsetFilesAsDefault.reg

[yaira2]

@luketxr are you using v2.1?

[luketxr]

Yes. Got the update via Windows Store

[gave92]

Did you have that option enabled before the update? Could you upload the app's log files?

[gave92]

To revert to explorer you can use the UnsetFilesAsDefault.reg file in this archive. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/files-community/files-community.github.io/main/data/SetFilesAsDefault.zip.

[luketxr]

The reg file solved the problem for not being able to turn off 'Default file manager'. However the button in experimental is still buggy. I wish I could send you the log so you can fix it, but once I click "Open log location" it opens a new home tab. Can you specify where can I find the log file?

[0x5bfa]

here %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\49306atecsolution.FilesUWP_et10x9a9vyk8t\LocalState debug.log and debug_fulltrust.log

[luketxr]

here %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\49306atecsolution.FilesUWP_et10x9a9vyk8t\LocalState debug.log and debug_fulltrust.log debug.log debug_fulltrust.log

[Dardrai]

To revert to explorer you can use the UnsetFilesAsDefault.reg file in this archive. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/files-community/files-community.github.io/main/data/SetFilesAsDefault.zip.

That one Fixed Win+E for me! Very good now that Win+E opens the "right" File Manager thx!

[gave92]

[Internal note] The two reg files need to be updated to match the ones used in Files v2.1. Currently the unset file only reverts the changes done by Files V2.0.34.

[Rykimaruh]

When I ran the unset registry, now I can't open folders, all it does is open a new file explorer window :(

Any help is appreciated!

[gave92]

@Rykimaruh this is the updated version of the script (make sure to save it as a ".reg" file): https://raw.githubusercontent.com/files-community/Files/main/src/Files.Launcher/Assets/FilesOpenDialog/UnsetFilesAsDefault.reg Please let us know if it solves the issue.

[Rykimaruh]

Excellent! This solved the issue!

Thank you so much for the quick response!

[utkarsh-ut9]

@Rykimaruh this is the updated version of the script (make sure to save it as a ".reg" file): https://raw.githubusercontent.com/files-community/Files/main/src/Files.Launcher/Assets/FilesOpenDialog/UnsetFilesAsDefault.reg Please let us know if it solves the issue.

Thank you so much! It worked as expected and fixed the issue. Cheers! :D

[9raghav9]

I downloaded the new .reg file and ran it... But now i again want to set files as default.

I downloaded the msixbundle and reinstalled it. Now i have 2 instances as below. And both the buttons are stuck.

All I want to do now is MAKE files app as default opener. I have the .reg file as backup so waiting for a quick response...!

[9raghav9]

1 instance of app is launched from taskbar, Other from msixbundle windows's launch button... They are not 2 same windows.

@gave92 @yaichenbaum

[gave92]

You need to run the script, uninstall the Store version, switch the option on from the side loaded version. Gets confused if you have both msix and store versions installed.

[9raghav9]

My MS Store apps don't work already so I don't want to risk uninstalling Files... Can u provide me with a script that makes it default file explorer please @gave92

[gave92]

If you want to keep both, look at Windows Settings > Apps > App execution alias. Make sure the correct Files install has the switch enabled. I don't see why you would keep both versions though.

[ScottRButler]

I came here looking for this exact question. I just reinstalled Files, turned the setting off, and uninstalled it. That fixed it for me. The reason I installed it was I couldn't map a network drive. I will look through here for the answer in a bit but if you happen to know off the top of your head where the answer is can you point me that way.? Thanks much. OH, I was using the store version.

[DOWIT-JoelFrojmowicz]

Why not return Windows Explorer as default when uninstalling Files ??

[9raghav9]

Ye do that @gave92

[gave92]

@DOWIT-JoelFrojmowicz because UWP apps can't have an Uninstaller unless allowed by Microsoft (and they have not approved our request). We're looking for alternatives around that.

[idan054]

To revert to explorer you can use the UnsetFilesAsDefault.reg file in this archive. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/files-community/files-community.github.io/main/data/SetFilesAsDefault.zip.

Thanks! this realy works. ❤️

[LTcorpio]

The reason why I can't Disable "Set Files as default file manager" is that I don't close Defender. The problem occurs because I don't have the permission to edit the reg. So when I close Huorong Security and try again, it works!!!

[lippoliv]

https://github.com/files-community/Files/issues/7626#issuecomment-1012654935

To revert to explorer you can use the UnsetFilesAsDefault.reg file in this archive. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/files-community/files-community.github.io/main/data/SetFilesAsDefault.zip.

This did work partly for me. I could use WIN+E again but in the explorer, I could not open folders.

https://github.com/files-community/Files/issues/7626#issue-1102651539 did the job for me

If you uninstalled Files before turning off the option to set Files as the default, you can revert the changes using this script. https://raw.githubusercontent.com/files-community/Files/main/src/Files.Launcher/Assets/FilesOpenDialog/UnsetFilesAsDefault.reg

Thanks for linking those files.

(I found this issue by #8637, thanks @jeevanthespark for your detailed description)