How to Restrict Users from Changing Settings in Internet Explorer Options Window?
If you use Internet Explorer and want to restrict other users from changing IE settings using Internet Options dialog box, this tutorial will definitely help you.
In this tutorial, we’ll learn how to restrict users from enabling/disabling options in a particular tab, accessing a particular tab or completely hiding a tab from the user.
As you can see in the following screenshot, we have disabled the “Advanced” tab completely and “Connections”, “Content”, “Privacy”, “Programs” and “Security” tabs are hidden from user:
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So without wasting time, here are the steps to restrict users from changing Internet Explorer settings using Internet Options dialog box:
1. Type regedit in RUN or start menu search box and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.
2. Now go to following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\
Create a new key “Control Panel” under “Internet Explorer” key.
3. Now to restrict an option, disable a tab or hide a tab, you’ll need to create a new DWORD value in right-side pane and set its value to 1
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We are providing the DWORD value names and their description so that you can choose the desired one and create it in right-side pane and set its value to 1 to make it working:
Accessibility – Disables options in “Accessibility” window in “General” tab
Advanced – Disables options in “Advanced” tab
AdvancedTab – Completely hides “Advanced” tab
Autoconfig – Disables “Automatic Configuration” section in “LAN Settings” window under “Connections” tab
Cache – Restricts changes to Temporary Internet Files settings
CalendarContact – Restricts changes to Calender and Contact List options
Certificates – Restricts changes to Security Certificates in “Content” tab
CertifPers – Restricts changes to Personal Certificates in “Content” tab
CertifPub – Restricts changes to Publisher Certificates in “Content” tab
CertifSite – Restricts changes to Site Certificates in “Content” tab
Check_If_Default – Restricts checking IE as default browser in “Programs” tab
Colors – Restricts changes to “Colors” window in “General” tab
Connection Settings – Disables options in “Connections” tab
Connection Wizard – Disables Internet Connection Wizard
ConnectionsTab – Completely hides “Connections” tab
Connwiz Admin Lock – Disables “Setup Internet Connection” button in “Connections” tab
ContentTab – Completely hides “Content” tab
Fonts – Disables options in “Fonts” window in “General” tab
FormSuggest – Disables AutoComplete Settings for Forms in “Content” tab
FormSuggest Passwords – Disables AutoComplete Settings for Passwords in “Content” tab
GeneralTab – Completely hides “General” tab
History – Restricts changes to History settings in “General” tab
HomePage – Restricts changes to Home page settings in “General” tab
Languages – Restricts changes to “Languages” window in “General” tab
Links – Restricts changes to Links settings in “General” tab
Messaging – Restricts changes to E-mail, Newsgroups, Internet call options in “Programs” tab
Privacy Settings – Restricts changs to Cookies settings in “Privacy” tab
PrivacyTab – Completely hides “Privacy” tab
Profiles – Restricts changes to Profiles in “Content” tab
ProgramsTab – Completely hides “Programs” tab
Proxy – Disables “Proxy server” section in “LAN Settings” window under “Connections” tab
Ratings – Restricts changes to “Content Advisor” settings in “Content” tab
ResetWebSettings – Disables “Reset Web Settings” button in “Programs” tab
SecAddSites – Disables “Sites” button in “Security” tab
SecChangeSettings – Restricts changes to Security Level in “Security” tab
SecurityTab – Completely hides “Security” tab
Settings – Restricts changes to Temporary Internet Files options
For example, if you want to hide “Advanced” tab, create new DWORD value AdvancedTab and set its value to 1
4. If you want to disable the whole “Internet Options” window from Tools menu, go to following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\
Create a new key “Restrictions” under “Internet Explorer” key. In right-side pane, create a new DWORD value NoBrowserOptions and set its value to 1
NOTE: To remove the restriction, either change DWORD value to 0 or delete the DWORD value.
PS: If you want a ready-made registry script to do the task automatically, download following ZIP file, extract it and run the extracted REG file:
Also Check:
How to Restrict Users from Deleting Browsing History Data in Internet Explorer?
How to Restrict Users from Changing Internet Explorer Homepage Settings?
I disabled delete search history through my registry for when someone accesses my internet explorer options – no problem. The PROBLEM now is, you can still delete search history manually through internet explorer’s star menu (where you locate favorites)in the upper right hand side. If I right click on a site in the history, and hit delete, it’s gone. So why is this possible when it should be disabled through the registry?
^^ Thats by design and programing of IE. You cant change that.
Thanks for the information.
On my current machine, under Internet Options and Connections, when I select LAN Settings the entire resulting options are grayed out and locked. Is there a key for this? I tried setting Proxy and Autoconfig to 0, restarted IE7 but that did not unlock the LAN Settings options.
^^ What keys and string, dword values do you see in following key:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\
Export the above key and paste the content here.
i applied this setting its working but when i login with different user id then its showing same ,plz tell me if i want change explorer setting for all users then from where i have to change…..
^^ To restrict all user accounts, create the keys under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE instead of HKEY_CURRENT_USER.
I am searching for a way to disable, so I can enable, the Remove button in Internet Options – Content – Other People. Using user or admin permissions to IE will not enable the button. I can remove the certificates listed in the Other People folder using the Certificate Manage snap-in but have yet to find out why the button is disabled in IE. I do not see anything in HKLM or HKCU that would have disabled it and have yet to see a GPO, system is on a domain, that would have done it. Nothing in local policy either. Any ideas?
REG ADD “HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\” /v “Advanced” /t REG_DWORD /d 1 f/
My question is if this is a valid command line to add the value for disableing the advanced tab so users can’t edit it. Also if this command line would force the same advanced tab settings on all users.
I hate expanding-contracting tabs in IE10. Is there a way to disable that “feature”?
I have disabled tabs in Explorer. For some reason it enables them again on its own. If I disable them and restart the computer again they are enabled when I restart Explorer.
How can I disable them so they don’t come back again?
For some reason my history by date will not drop down and show me anything. Someone changed something on my computer and I can’t figure out how to fix it. The only thing it will show in history is the frequently visited sites but any of the other options to view foe history the box will not drop down and show me the info. Please help
Is there a way to remove the star button(view favorites, feeds and history) and the gear button (tools) up at the right to corner of IE 11? I have tried with group policy but cant’s seem to find a way. Can it be done through the registry?
Or use Restricted full screen mode but be able to have a back, forward and home buttons?
^^ I dont think its possible as those buttons are hard coded into IE shell just like back/forward buttons and address bar.
I applied the registry script, but that only hides the the options and doesn’t disables it.
i.e. Using any Proxy Switcher program will change the Connection>LAN settings.
Is there is a way to prevent anyone form using such program from doing that?
Thanks,
this is not working in windows 8 system .
hi
i want hide local area connection icon in networking connection
so please solve this issue
please send my email id
Thanks for providing the individual DWORDs as I was able to test and successfully implement using the local registry to all WORKGROUP computers for a small co. Due to no AD, I was not able to apply the Proxy Settings via GPO. This article helped me to achieve this and a BIG THANK YOU AGAIN.
Cheers
Ken
Hi VG,
thank you for these tweaks. Very useful !
I would like to set up the Internet options with cmd/PS/reg, and not only to restrict the access. Is there a way to change the options without using the UI ?
Thanks !
not working in group policy
Hi,
I want to set some specific setting for all user in one desktop like conman favorites, Pop block enable in all user etc.. how to set this for all user using batch file or Registry?
^^ You should try following key path to apply settings for all users:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\
Cheers!! Very Helpful
But how do I apply this for all Users on the computer?
^^ Try following key path to apply settings for all users:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\
Good day AskVG – Would you know how to restrict the button on IE under the browsing History – “Settings”? or under that sub page the “View Objects” or “View Files” buttons? Thank you
Hi Vishal, I want to configure proxy settings for users permanently so that no one can change them. When i use prevent changing Proxy (GPO) setting or via Registry key it disables Advanced button under proxy settings also which is for mentioning exceptional websites. Can you please share some insights if it is possible using registry.