How to Deploy Office Desktop App Hyperlink Settings with Intune
Question details
Administrators want to know if they can use Microsoft Intune or Endpoint Manager to centrally configure Office to open file links in desktop apps instead of the web browser.
- Product
- Microsoft Office, Microsoft Intune
- Device & OS
- not provided
- Scenario
- Centralized IT deployment for organization-wide Office preferences.
- Observed behavior
- Seeking a supported method to centrally manage hyperlink behavior for Office documents across end-user devices.
Verify that you have administrative access to your organization's Microsoft Intune or Endpoint Manager admin center, and ensure end-users have the Office desktop apps installed.
Instruct Users to Manually Configure Hyperlink Settings
Since Microsoft does not currently support centralized deployment for this preference, each user must adjust the setting manually within their Office application.
Currently, Microsoft does not provide a supported centralized control (via Intune, Endpoint Manager, or Group Policy) to force file links to open in desktop applications. IT administrators must provide instructions to end-users to change this preference themselves.
Launch any Microsoft Office application, such as Word, Excel, or PowerPoint on your computer.
Click on 'File' in the top-left corner of the application window, then select 'Options' from the bottom of the left-hand menu.
In the Options dialog box, click on 'Advanced' in the left-hand navigation pane.
Scroll down to the 'Link Handling' section and check the box labeled 'Open supported hyperlinks to Office files in Office desktop apps'.
Click 'OK' to apply the setting. Links to supported Office files will now open directly in the desktop applications instead of the web browser.
Explore Intune Community Workarounds
While there is no official toggle, administrators can consult the Microsoft Intune community for potential custom script solutions.
Switch to WPS Office for a Streamlined Experience
Managing Office settings across a large organization can be complex, especially when features lack centralized controls. WPS Office provides a free, lightweight, and highly compatible alternative to Microsoft Office. It offers a familiar interface, seamless document handling by default, and is easier to manage across varying devices without heavy administrative overhead.
- 1. Download the installer: Visit the official WPS Office website and download the free enterprise or individual installation package.
- 2. Install WPS Office: Run the setup file and follow the on-screen prompts to deploy WPS Office on your desktop.
- 3. Set as default application: During or after installation, set WPS Office as the default application for all standard document formats to ensure links always open natively on the desktop.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use Group Policy (GPO) to deploy the Office desktop app hyperlink setting?
Like Intune, Microsoft does not currently offer a dedicated administrative template (ADMX) policy to centrally force Office file links to open in desktop apps. Users must configure this setting individually.
Which Office versions support opening links directly in the desktop app?
The setting to open supported hyperlinks in Office desktop apps is available in Microsoft 365 apps for enterprise, as well as recent standalone versions like Office 2019 and Office 2021.
Why do my Office links keep opening in the browser instead of the desktop app?
By default, links to files stored in cloud services like OneDrive or SharePoint open in Office for the Web. To change this behavior, users must manually check the 'Open supported hyperlinks to Office files in Office desktop apps' option under File > Options > Advanced in their Office application settings.
