How to Enable Client Integration in SharePoint 2013?

Client integration setting in SharePoint enables or disables SharePoint-Client applications integration, such as starting client applications based on the document types. It also provides features such as Open in Explorer view, upload multiple documents, Edit in the datasheet, etc.

Enable client integration in SharePoint 2013 central administration

SharePoint client integration is not enabled in forms authentication by default. To activate client integration in SharePoint, follow these steps:

  • Go to SharePoint 2013 Central Administration >> Application Management >> Click on “Manage Web Applications” under Web Applications.
  • Select your target web application for which you would like to enable or disable client integration.
  • Click on the “Authentication Providers” button from the ribbon.
    sharepoint 2013 client integration setting
  • Click on the Zone name – Default in the “Authentication Providers” popup.
    sharepoint 2013 enable client integration
  • In the edit authentication providers page, under the “Client Integration” section, Set the “Enable Client Integration?” setting to “Yes”.
    sharepoint client integration disable
  • Click Save to commit your changes.

SharePoint permission to use client integration features:

Although the client integration is enabled or disabled at the web application level, the user must be granted “Use Client Integration Features” permission from their permission level to utilize client integration features.

  • From site settings >> Click on Site Permissions >>Click on Permission Levels button from the ribbon
  • Pick the permission level granted to the user, such as “Edit” or some other custom permission level
  • You’ll see a list of base permissions associated with the particular permission level. Under Site Permissions, make sure “Use Client Integration Features” is selected.
    sharepoint permission use client integration features

SharePoint 2016: enable-disable client integration using PowerShell

In some cases, you may have to disable the client integration feature in SharePoint.

Add-PSSnapin Microsoft.SharePoint.PowerShell -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

#Configuration parameters
$WebAppURL="https://intranet.crescent.com/"
$Zone="Default"
$ClientIntegrationOption=$False

#Get the web application and current setting
$WebApp = Get-SPWebApplication $WebAppURL
$webApp.IisSettings[$Zone].EnableClientIntegration

#enable or disable client integration
$webApp.IisSettings[$Zone].EnableClientIntegration = $ClientIntegrationOption
$WebApp.Update()

Based on the option you specified in the $ClientIngrationOption flag, it either enables or disables the client integration feature.

Salaudeen Rajack

Salaudeen Rajack - Information Technology Expert with Two-decades of hands-on experience, specializing in SharePoint, PowerShell, Microsoft 365, and related products. He has held various positions including SharePoint Architect, Administrator, Developer and consultant, has helped many organizations to implement and optimize SharePoint solutions. Known for his deep technical expertise, He's passionate about sharing the knowledge and insights to help others, through the real-world articles!

2 thoughts on “How to Enable Client Integration in SharePoint 2013?

  • Also these features to work, the http header named “MicrosoftSharePointTeamServices:15.0.0.4957” should also be present in response else these clients would not understand that site is SharePoint site and might fail to work properly.

    Reply
  • You saved my day – I accidentally disabled the feature on the CA and couldn’t access it anymore.

    Reply

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