This tutorial will show you how to add or remove Open with to the context menu of URL files for all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
A .url file is an Internet shortcut that opens with your default web browser.
URL files do not include Open with in their context menu by default in Windows.
If you like, you can add Open with to the context menu of .url files that allows you to choose an app to open the URL file with always or just once.
While you must be signed in as an administrator to add or remove the "Open with" context menu for URL files, all users can use the context menu.
EXAMPLE: "Open with" context menu for URL files
Here's How:
1 Do step 2 (add) or step 3 (remove) below for what you would like to do.
2 Add "Open with" context menu to URL files for All Users
This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Add_Open_with_to_URL_context_menu_for_all_users.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\InternetShortcut\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\Open With]
@="{09799AFB-AD67-11d1-ABCD-00C04FC30936}"3 Remove "Open with" context menu from URL files for All Users
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 4 below.
Remove_Open_with_from_URL_context_menu_for_all_users.reg
Download
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[-HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\InternetShortcut\ShellEx\ContextMenuHandlers\Open With]4 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
5 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
6 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
7 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
Last edited:
