#9 - Windows 11: How to Set SecureCRT as the Default App for TELNET Links

In Windows 11, you may notice that SecureCRT does not appear as an available option when trying to set the default application for telnet:// links.

For example, when going to:

Settings > Apps > Default apps

and searching for:

TELNET

Windows may only show another registered client.

If SecureCRT is installed but does not appear in the list, it needs to be registered as an application that supports the telnet URL protocol.

Environment

In this example, SecureCRT is installed at:

C:\Program Files\VanDyke Software\Clients\SecureCRT.exe

If your installation path is different, adjust the path in the registry file before importing it.

Solution

Create a file named:

securecrt_register_app.reg

Add the following content:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\SecureCRT.telnet]
@="SecureCRT Telnet Protocol"
"URL Protocol"=""

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\SecureCRT.telnet\DefaultIcon]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\VanDyke Software\\Clients\\SecureCRT.exe\",0"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\SecureCRT.telnet\shell\open\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\VanDyke Software\\Clients\\SecureCRT.exe\" \"%1\""

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SecureCRT\Capabilities]
"ApplicationName"="SecureCRT"
"ApplicationDescription"="SecureCRT Telnet Protocol Handler"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SecureCRT\Capabilities\URLAssociations]
"telnet"="SecureCRT.telnet"

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\RegisteredApplications]
"SecureCRT"="Software\\SecureCRT\\Capabilities"

Save the file and double-click it to import the settings into the Windows Registry.

Set SecureCRT as the Default TELNET App

After importing the .reg file, open:

Settings > Apps > Default apps

Search for:

TELNET

Click the current default app for the TELNET protocol.

SecureCRT should now appear as:

SecureCRT Application

Select it and click:

Set default

Test

Press Win + R and run:

telnet://192.168.0.1

Replace 192.168.0.1 with the IP address of the device you want to access.

If everything is configured correctly, Windows will open the TELNET link using SecureCRT.

How It Works

The registry file creates a custom protocol handler named:

SecureCRT.telnet

This handler points to the SecureCRT executable:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Classes\SecureCRT.telnet\shell\open\command]
@="\"C:\\Program Files\\VanDyke Software\\Clients\\SecureCRT.exe\" \"%1\""

It also registers SecureCRT as an application that supports URL associations:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\SecureCRT\Capabilities\URLAssociations]
"telnet"="SecureCRT.telnet"

And finally, it makes SecureCRT visible in the Windows 11 Default apps interface:

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\RegisteredApplications]
"SecureCRT"="Software\\SecureCRT\\Capabilities"

Conclusion

On Windows 11, SecureCRT may not appear as an option for TELNET links until it is registered with RegisteredApplications, Capabilities, and URLAssociations.

Once registered, SecureCRT can be selected normally in Default apps and used as the default application for telnet:// links.

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