DEM 9.10: Default Applications FTA (troubleshooting)

[JohnTwilley]

I've been trying to get DEM 9.10's new Default File Association working in our environment and cannot get it to work....

Horizon 7.6

Windows 10 1809

DEM 9.10  (DEM runs as via Group Policy)

One thing I've noticed, is that I have never seen the new FlexEngine-DefaultApplications.log generated.

I normally use the FlexDebug.txt file to turn on logging per user.  I've tried turning up the logging to Debug levels in GPO...

I see that the policy is being processed:

(Export)

2020-01-10 12:04:09.198 [INFO ] Exporting profile using config file 'Save User File Type Associations.INI' (\\SERVER\VDI_UEMConfig\General\Windows Settings\Save User File Type Associations.INI)

2020-01-10 12:04:09.198 [INFO ] Binary Settings: Applied Common Setting 'Default applications - File type associations and protocols'

2020-01-10 12:04:09.204 [INFO ] Exporting Registry information

2020-01-10 12:04:09.301 [INFO ] Exported Registry information successfully

2020-01-10 12:04:09.314 [INFO ] Exported default applications configuration

2020-01-10 12:04:09.324 [DEBUG] Stored 2 entries in profile archive (size: 642013; compressed: 36119)

(Import)

2020-01-10 12:06:19.678 [INFO ] Importing profile archive 'Save User File Type Associations.zip' (\\server\VDI_UEMProfiles\USERID\Archives\Windows Settings\Save User File Type Associations.zip)

2020-01-10 12:06:19.688 [DEBUG] ImportRegistry::Import: Calling '"C:\WINDOWS\REGEDIT.EXE" /S "C:\Users\USERID\AppData\Local\Temp\FLX10D5.tmp"' (RPAL: l=0 (F/E), r=0)

2020-01-10 12:06:20.163 [INFO ] Processed configuration for default applications

2020-01-10 12:06:20.164 [DEBUG] Read 2 entries from profile archive (size: 642013; compressed: 36119; took 484 ms; largest file: 639918 bytes; slowest import took 3 ms; registry took 483 ms)

File associations are not altered in any way.   And no log file is created.

The only logs generated are the FlexEngine.log & FlexEngine-async.log  & FlexEngine-ADMX.log

I have no File Type Associations created in the User Environment, that could interfere.

Any ideas on troubleshooting this?

[DEMdev · Accepted solution]

Hi JohnTwilley,

2020-01-10 12:06:20.163 [INFO ] Processed configuration for default applications

Default application settings are "processed" during logon, but they are not applied yet (because Windows might/would overwrite them later.) We need to wait until File Explorer has loaded before making our changes.

So, near the end of DEM's logon run, we schedule a separate run of FlexEngine.exe to apply the collected settings, by registering it to run via File Explorer's RunOnce functionality. Is there anything near the end of the normal FlexEngine log file that might point at an issue with this?

[JohnTwilley]

OK.  That makes sense.

I've looked in both HKCU & HKLM Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce\  and both are blank.

At the end on the FlexEngine.log I see the following:

2020-01-10 12:33:48.507 [ERROR] Policy setting 'Do not process the run once list' is enabled -- cannot schedule DEM actions

2020-01-10 12:33:48.508 [INFO ] Triggering scheduled DEM actions

Maybe that has something to do with it.  I'll track down that policy.

[JohnTwilley]

Bingo.

DEM 9.10 Default File Associations will NOT work if you have a policy to "Do Not Process the run once list"

We had added that to prevent OneDrive and other apps from installing post login.

I now see the FlexEngine-DefaultApplications.log, which is created a few seconds after getting a desktop.  Thanks for clarifying the process.

Per User file type associations are now working as expected. 

[DEMdev]

Hi JohnTwilley,

Happy to hear that you got it to work; thank you reporting back!