How to set default browser in windows 8 using C#?

Question

We all have been easily able to do this prior to Windows 8 (in XP/VISTA/WIN7) with few changes in Registry and it was done.

With Windows 8 it\'s not that easy (I\'m

Answer 1

For all those waiting for answer to this question.

Here you go, looks like that one of the way to do it is through DISM.exe provided by Win 8. Your user should be admin of the machine though.

Using C# code you should be able to run this DISM.exe with specific parameters.

Following blog has the details.

http://blogs.technet.com/b/mrmlcgn/archive/2013/02/26/windows-8-associate-a-file-type-or-protocol-with-a-specific-app-using-a-gpo-e-g-default-mail-client-for-mailto-protocol.aspx

Thanks.

Answer 2

I believe the reason is so that the user, not your software, gets to control this setting.

You ought to be able to trigger the "Your computer has new applications for Web Browsing" popup, however, so that the user can easily choose your program if they want.

Answer 3

I asked about this too and managed to find a solution, this might be of a help to you since I tested this on Windows 8.1 and it worked: How to set the default browser on Windows 7 using c#?

This actually fits to a case where you want to make any program as the default of it's protocols and file extensions.