XML files opening in IE as default instead of required Office program

[srblhs]

Can anyone advise on a cause and fix for XML files opening in Internet Explorer 11 on Windows 7?

 

It's a network wide issue which is affecting staff from opening pupil linked documents from SIMS such as reports/progress checks/grades etc...

 

By default they are opening in IE opposed to either Excel or Word (Office 2013).

 

I've instructed staff on how to manually set the file [font= ]association [/font]however I really need a fix that can be pushed out to all workstations used by staff.

Edited September 23, 2016 by srblhs

[clareq]

You can use Group Policy: How to use group policy to change open with file associations

[gillop]

We have recently had a big problem similar to this, but the solution was very simple in the end using Group Policy Preferences, remove all other attempts to associate xml to any programs and add this one to Computer Configuration\Preferences\Control Panel Settings\Folder options and set the Associated Class to XML Document for file extension xml.