02: How can I associate .HTM files with a specific browser, like Internet Explorer?

You can use PolicyPak File Associations Manager to associate a .HTM file with IE like this.

However, doing this WILL NOT route URLs.

So if you set PPFAM association HTM -> IE and click to some .HTM file in Windows File Explorer (or open it in some third party program) it will be opened with IE.

But note that if you type a URL into, say, the Firefox or Chrome address bar (or follow some hyperlink) to navigate to file://server/site.htm, it will stay in the same browser and not magically open in IE.