XML als Standardt programm am Surface 8 PRo

That should permanently link them for you!

Hello,

You can bypass it and force the change directly in your system settings.

Open your Settings > Apps > Default apps. At the very top of that page you will see a search box where you can look up a specific file type. Type .xml into that search bar. When the .xml extension shows up right below it, click on whatever program is currently assigned to it. A list of programs will appear, so just choose Excel and hit the Set default button at the bottom of that prompt.

That should permanently link them for you.

The behavior difference is caused by how the .xml file type is registered on the Surface. To restore the “always use this app” behavior and open XML directly with Excel, configure the XML file association and Excel registration in the registry as documented for XML/Excel.

Warning: Registry editing can have harmful side effects if done incorrectly. Create a backup or restore point before changing anything.

1. Ensure Excel is registered as handler for .xml Use the registry keys that explicitly add Excel for XML, matching the installed Office edition: For Office 2016/365 Click‑to‑Run (most common on Surface, 64‑bit example):

      [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\.xml\OpenWithList\Excel.exe]
      @=""
      
      [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\Excel.exe]
      "FriendlyAppName"="@C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\root\\VFS\\ProgramFilesCommonX64\\Microsoft Shared\\Office16\\oregres.dll,-206"
      
      [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\Excel.exe\shell]
      
      [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\Excel.exe\shell\edit]
      @="@C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\root\\VFS\\ProgramFilesCommonX64\\Microsoft Shared\\Office16\\oregres.dll,-1"
      
      [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\Excel.exe\shell\edit\command]
      @="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\root\\Office16\\EXCEL.EXE\" /n \"%1\""
      
      [HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Applications\Excel.exe\SupportedTypes]
      ".xml"=""
      
      [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\ClickToRun\REGISTRY\MACHINE\Software\Classes\Applications\excel.exe\shell\edit\command]
      @="\"C:\\Program Files\\Microsoft Office\\Root\\Office16\\EXCEL.EXE\" /n \"%1\""
      
      [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\ClickToRun\REGISTRY\MACHINE\Software\Classes\Applications\excel.exe\SupportedTypes]
      ".xml"=""
      
      [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\ClickToRun\REGISTRY\MACHINE\Software\Classes\.xml\OpenWithList\excel.exe]
      @=""
   

   For 32‑bit Office or MSI‑based Office 2013/2016, use the corresponding paths from the article instead (Office15/Office16 and Program Files (x86) where applicable).
2. Prefer OpenWithProgids for modern Windows In addition to the legacy OpenWithList, ensure .xml has a proper OpenWithProgids entry so Windows 11 can offer Excel as a persistent default:

      HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT
         .xml
            OpenWithProgids
               Excel.Sheet.12    REG_SZ
   

   This aligns with the documented recommendation to use OpenWithProgids instead of only OpenWithList for modern file associations.
3. Reboot and set Excel as default for .xml After importing/creating the keys and restarting Windows:
   • Right‑click any .xml file in File Explorer.
   • Choose Open with → Choose another app.
   • Select Excel.
   • The option to always use this app for .xml should now be available; select it and confirm.

Once these registry entries are in place, XML files opened from the intranet (after download) should consistently offer Excel as a default choice, and the “immer mit dieser App öffnen” option should appear as on the Lenovo device.

References:

• Excel workbooks in XML format don't open from SharePoint
• How to Include an Application in the Open With Dialog Box