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

When you right-click on a file, folder or drive in Windows and select “Properties” option, it opens the selected item’s properties window which contains several tabs based on the selected item type.

For example, when you open a folder’s properties in Windows, you get following tabs:

  • General
  • Sharing
  • Security
  • Previous Versions
  • Customize

All_Tabs_File_Folder_Drive_Properties_Windows.png

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Today in this tutorial, we’ll tell you how to remove these tabs from folder properties window. Sometimes you may not want to show some tabs in folder properties, for example you may want to restrict users from accessing sharing or security tab or you may want to hide customize tab from folder properties so that no one can customize the look or type of any folder.

This tutorial will help you in removing any desired tab from folder’s properties window. The method given in this tutorial will work in all Windows versions.

So if you want to hide/remove any desired tab from folder properties window, following steps will help you:

1. Remove “Sharing” Tab from Folder Properties

The “Sharing” tab is shown in all files, folders and drives properties. If you want to remove “Sharing” tab from properties window, check out following tutorial:

Sharing_Tab_Properties_Window.png

[Windows Tip] Remove “Share With” Option from Context Menu

Above mentioned tutorial contains step-by-step guide to remove the “Sharing” tab from properties window.

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2. Remove “Security” Tab from Folder Properties

The “Security” tab is also shown in properties of all files, folders and drives. If you want to remove “Security” tab from properties, check out following steps:

Security_Tab_File_Folder_Drive_Properties_Windows.png

You can remove “Security” tab from properties using following 2 methods:

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:

User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> File Explorer (or Windows Explorer)

3. In right-side pane, look for “Remove Security tab” option.

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

Remove_Security_Tab_Properties_Group_Policy_Editor.png

That’s it. It’ll immediately remove “Security” tab from file/folder/drive properties window.

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

METHOD 2: Using Registry Editor (regedit)

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:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

3. In right-side pane create a new DWORD NoSecurityTab and set its value to 1

Remove_Security_Tab_Properties_Registry_Editor.png

4. Close Registry Editor and restart your system or restart Explorer as mentioned here. After restart, you’ll no longer see “Security” tab in properties window.

PS: If you decide to restore the tab in future, delete the DWORD created in step 3.

3. Remove “Previous Versions” Tab from Folder Properties

The “Previous Versions” tab is shown in files, folders and drives properties. If you want to remove “Previous Versions” tab from properties window, check out following tutorial:

Previous_Versions_Tab_Properties_Window.png

[Windows Tip] Remove “Restore Previous Versions” Option from Context Menu

4. Remove “Customize” Tab from Folder Properties

The “Customize” tab is shown in folders and drives properties. If you want to remove “Customize” tab from properties window, check out following tutorial:

Customize_Tab_Folder_Drive_Properties_Windows.png

[Windows Tip] Remove “Customize This Folder” Option from Context Menu

That’s all for now. If you want to get rid of any other tab from properties window, ask about it in your comment and we’ll do our best to provide a solution if possible.

Also Check:

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

Published in: Windows 10, Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista

About the author: Vishal Gupta (also known as VG) has been awarded with Microsoft MVP (Most Valuable Professional) award. He holds Masters degree in Computer Applications (MCA). He has written several tech articles for popular newspapers and magazines and has also appeared in tech shows on various TV channels.

Comments

NOTE: Older comments have been removed to reduce database overhead.

  1. My friends (both Windows 10 and AppleMac users) send me .mp4 video files attached to their email. When I click the attached file it fails to run, telling me to try later. A dumb message ! It never plays !
    It’s not just the odd failure. it happens to all .mp4 files I receive and also my Windows 10 user friends suffer the same problem. If I transfer the file to my Desktop it plays AOK, but that’s a messy solution.
    Is there a better solution, so the file will play when I click the video file attached in my email inbox. ?
    …thanks… Keith

  2. There are no Sharing, Security, & Customize Tabs/options in right click and properties. I was searching for this problem and ended up here…How to restore them! Anyone?

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