How to export and import custom default app associations for new users in Windows 11. Want to automatically open files in specific applications? Here's how to export and import custom default app associations for new users in Windows 11. Before we begin, be sure to subscribe to NinjaOne's IT Video Hub and our YouTube channel for more tech content like this. What is a default app? A default app is an application Windows assigns to open a specific file type or link. For example, when you open a PDF file, Windows will open it in Microsoft Edge or Adobe Acrobat Reader. Any individual user can configure their device's default app associations, but applying these changes uniformly across multiple devices requires more advanced methods. Here are three ways administrators can export and import custom default app associations. Three methods to export and import custom default app associations. Method one: DISM. For individual users or administrators managing multiple desktops, using command line tools such as DISM is a recommended approach. First, press the Windows key, type CMD, and then click Run as administrator to open Command Prompt. Then, run one of the following commands. To export custom default app associations, run the following command. Afterwards, you should see a file named mydefaultappassociations.xml on your desktop. To import custom default app associations, use the command. To remove custom default app associations, use the command. Method two: Group Policy. For administrators of enterprise environments, another option is to configure Group Policy. This method allows you to enforce default app associations across multiple devices. Store your exported XML file in a shared network location accessible to all endpoints you wish to configure. Then, open the Group Policy Management Console and navigate to Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, File Explorer. Double-click and enable the Set a default associations configuration file policy and specify the UNC path to the XML file. Apply the policy to the desired endpoints. Method three: PowerShell. Another option is to use PowerShell commands, which can automate the configuration of default app associations. Simply open PowerShell and run the script. Setting default apps across multiple devices ensures efficiency and a consistent experience for new users in an enterprise environment. For more information, check out our official blog post on how to export and import custom default app associations for new users in Windows 11, linked in the description below.