Application Launcher for Drive not working

Google Workspace Developers Q&A
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1

Application Launcher for Drive not working: I have reinstalled the add in, reset and updated Chrome. I have installed the latest version of Google drive for desktop and it is running. I am on windows 25h2 but this affects others on earlier images. Basically unable to see Excel as an app available to open with.

2

Here’s how to fix the “Application Launcher for Drive” issue when Excel won’t show up or open properly on Windows 25H2:

  1. Uninstall and reinstall the Application Launcher:

    • In Chrome, go to chrome://extensions and remove Application Launcher for Drive (by Google).

    • Restart your computer.

    • Reinstall the extension from the Chrome Web Store.

    • Sign back into Chrome and Google Drive.

  2. Repair or reset the Excel link:

    • In Windows, open Settings → Apps → Default Apps → Choose defaults by file type.

    • Make sure .xlsx and .xls are both set to open with Microsoft Excel.

    • If Excel still doesn’t open, run Quick Repair on Microsoft Office (Control Panel → Programs → Office → Change → Quick Repair).

  3. Re-establish Google Drive desktop integration:

    • Quit Google Drive for Desktop (from the taskbar icon).

    • Re-launch it and confirm your account is signed in.

    • Make sure Drive File Stream is mounted and visible in File Explorer.

  4. Test the link:

    • Open drive.google.com, right-click an Excel file → Open with > Application Launcher for Drive.

    • If Excel still isn’t listed, open the same file directly from the synced Drive folder in File Explorer.

  5. If it still fails:
    This is a known bug affecting recent Chrome builds on Windows 25H2. Google has acknowledged it in the Workspace support forum. Until they release a patch, the only reliable workaround is to open Excel files through Google Drive for Desktop (locally in File Explorer) instead of using the launcher in the browser.

This restores normal Excel functionality while Google works on the fix.

3

Hey,

Hope you’re keeping well.

The Application Launcher for Drive relies on the local file associations set by Google Drive for desktop and the Windows default apps settings. First, confirm that Drive for desktop is signed in and that the “Open in” option is enabled in Drive for desktop settings > General. Then in Windows, check Settings > Apps > Default apps to ensure .xlsx files are associated with Excel. If Excel still does not appear in the launcher, try clearing the Drive for desktop cache by signing out and back in, as this forces the app list to refresh.

Thanks and regards,
Taz