Information
This policy setting allows users to use the ClickOnce protocol for opening files via applications inside of Microsoft Edge instead of downloading them to their device. The ClickOnce protocol allows websites to request that the browser open files from a specific URL using the ClickOnce file handler on the user's computer or device.
The recommended state for this setting is: Disabled
Allowing users to configure ClickOnce could potentially allow malicious files to be automatically opened within Microsoft Edge. By not allowing this, the end-user will need to download file allowing it to be scanned before opening.
Solution
To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Disabled :
Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge\Allow users to open files using the ClickOnce protocol
Note: This Group Policy path may not exist by default. It is provided by the Group Policy template MSEdge.admx/adml that can be downloaded from:
Download Microsoft Edge for Business - Microsoft
.
Impact:
Users will have to download files to their system and will be unable to open them directly in Microsoft Edge. Disabling ClickOnce will also prevent ClickOnce applications (.application files) from working properly.