[Windows Tip] Remove “Compatibility” Tab from File Properties

Recently we posted a tutorial to remove “Sharing”, “Security”, “Customize” and “Previous Versions” tabs from files/folders properties in Windows operating system:

[Windows Tip] Remove “Sharing”, “Security”, “Customize” and “Previous Versions” Tabs from Properties

After reading the tutorial, an AskVG reader asked us about removing the “Compatibility” tab from properties window. The “Compatibility” tab is shown on properties window of executable (EXE) files, program shortcuts and a few other file types.

Sometimes you may want to disable or remove the “Compatibility” tab from properties of these files to restrict other users from changing the compatibility settings of any particular software program.

If you want to remove “Compatibility” tab from files properties, this tutorial will definitely help you. The method given in this tutorial will work in almost all Windows versions.

You can disable/remove “Compatibility” tab from properties window with the help of following 2 methods:

• METHOD 1: Using Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
• METHOD 2: Using Registry Editor (regedit)

Let’s start the tutorial:

METHOD 1: Using Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)

1. Press “WIN+R” key combination to launch RUN dialog box then type gpedit.msc and press Enter. It’ll open Group Policy Editor.

2. Now go to:

3. In right-side pane, look for “Remove Program Compatibility Property Page” option.

4. The option would be set to Not Configured. Double-click on it and set it to Enabled.

That’s it. It’ll immediately remove “Compatibility” tab from properties window.

PS: In future, if you want to restore the tab, double-click on “Remove Program Compatibility Property Page” option and set it not Not Configured again.

METHOD 2: Using Registry Editor (regedit.exe)

If you are using Home edition of Windows OS, you’ll not find Group Policy Editor tool as this Windows edition doesn’t contain this program.

If you can’t use or don’t want to use Group Policy Editor, you can take help of Registry Editor for the same task. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Press WIN+R keys together to launch RUN dialog box. Now type regedit and press Enter. It’ll open Registry Editor.

2. Now go to following key:

3. Under Windows key, create a new key and set its name as AppCompat

4. Now select AppCompat key and in right-side pane, create a new DWORD DisablePropPage and set its value to 1

5. That’s it. Now you’ll no longer see “Compatibility” tab in properties window.

PS: If you decide to restore the tab in future, delete the DWORD created in step 4.

Also Check:

[Windows Tip] Remove “Details” Tab from File Properties