Fix SharePoint Links Opening in Browser Instead of Office Desktop Apps
Question details
Users need to configure SharePoint and Outlook sharing links to open directly in Office desktop applications rather than defaulting to the Microsoft Edge web browser.
- Product
- Microsoft SharePoint and Outlook
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Clicking a shared SharePoint document link or an inline preview from an Outlook email invitation.
- Observed behavior
- The shared document link redirects and opens in Microsoft Edge instead of the default Word or Excel desktop applications.
Verify that Microsoft Word and Excel are correctly installed and configured as the default applications for their respective file types in your system settings.
Configure Outlook File and Browser Preferences
Adjust Outlook's internal settings to ensure it prefers opening supported hyperlinks in desktop applications rather than routing them through a web browser.
Launch Microsoft Outlook, click on the 'File' tab in the top left corner, and select 'Options' from the bottom of the menu.
In the Outlook Options dialog box, select 'Advanced' from the left-hand navigation pane.
Scroll down to the 'File and browser preferences' section. Change the setting for opening hyperlinks from 'Browser' to 'Desktop' and click 'OK' to save.
Update SharePoint Library Advanced Settings
Force documents to open in client applications when users click them directly within the SharePoint library interface.
Use Direct Attachments or the Browser Transition Feature
If sharing links persistently bypass desktop settings, use direct attachments or manually switch to the desktop app from the browser.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do SharePoint sharing links default to opening in the browser?
Microsoft often defaults sharing invitations to open in a web browser to ensure the recipient can view the file immediately, regardless of whether they have the corresponding desktop application installed on their device.
Does the SharePoint 'Open in client application' setting apply to Outlook email links?
Generally, no. The 'Open in client application' setting in SharePoint primarily dictates the behavior of documents clicked directly within the SharePoint web interface. Links generated for sharing invitations often retain their own routing rules.
How can I force a browser-opened SharePoint document into my desktop app?
Once the document loads in Microsoft Edge or another browser, locate the ribbon menu at the top of the screen. Click on the 'Viewing' or 'Editing' button and select 'Open in Desktop App' to transfer the session to your local software.
