This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable automatically open Office files directly in Microsoft Edge instead of downloading for your account or all users in Windows 10 and Windows 11.
The Microsoft Edge web browser is based on Chromium and was released on January 15, 2020. It is compatible with all supported versions of Windows, and macOS. With speed, performance, best in class compatibility for websites and extensions, and built-in privacy and security features.
By default, Office files (presentations, spreadsheets, documents) will directly open automatically in Microsoft Edge instead of downloading to your device.
If wanted, you can turn off "Open Office files in the browser" to have Office files download by default instead of automatically opening in Microsoft Edge.
Contents
- Option One: Turn On or Off Open Office Files in Microsoft Edge Instead of Download for Current User
- Option Two: Enable or Disable Open Office Files in Microsoft Edge Instead of Download for All Users
1 Open Microsoft Edge.
2 Click/tap on the Settings and more (3 dots) button, and click/tap on Settings. (see screenshot below)
3 Click/tap on Downloads in the left pane. (see screenshot below step 4)
If you do not see a left pane, then either click/tap on the 3 bars menu button towards the top left OR widen the horizontal borders of the Microsoft Edge window until you do.
4 Turn On (default) or Off Open Office files in the browser for what you want. (see screenshot below)
5 You can now close the Settings page if you like.
You must be signed in as an administrator to use this option.
This option uses the QuickViewOfficeFilesEnabled policy for Microsoft Edge.
1 Do step 2 (enable), step 3 (disable), or step 4 (default) below for what you want.
2 Always Enable Open Office Files in Microsoft Edge Instead of Download for All Users
This will override and gray out Option One.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 5 below.
Always_enable_open_Office_files_in_Edge_instead_of_download_for_all_users.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"QuickViewOfficeFilesEnabled"=dword:000000013 Always Disable Open Office Files in Microsoft Edge Instead of Download for All Users
This will override and gray out Option One.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 5 below.
Always_disable_open_Office_files_in_Edge_instead_of_download_for_all_users.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"QuickViewOfficeFilesEnabled"=dword:000000004 Default User Choice Open Office Files in Microsoft Edge Instead of Download
This is the default setting to allow using Option One.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the REG file below, and go to step 5 below.
Default_user-choice_open_Office_files_in_Edge_instead_of_download.reg
(Contents of REG file for reference)
Code:
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"QuickViewOfficeFilesEnabled"=-5 Save the .reg file to your desktop.
6 Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.
7 When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.
8 If Microsoft Edge is currently open, then close and reopen Microsoft Edge to apply.
9 You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
That's it,
Shawn Brink
