[How To] Disable Registry Editor In Windows 10/8/7

This article will show you that how to disable Registry Editor in Windows 10/8/7 using Local Group Policy Editor.

Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin
2 min read
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No doubt, there is no best alternative to customize Windows other than Registry Editor. Registry Editor allows us to tweak settings in Windows instantly. We’ve covered a considerable number of registry modification tricks in our past. In this article, we’re giving you the tip to disable Registry Editor.

This tip will be beneficial for the administrators, whose users do messing of registry keys without their permissions. If you’re issued that your Windows users performs dummy experiments comprising registry tweaking which are making your Windows broken, then disabling Registry Editor is the only fix. But how to do that? Don’t worry! The solution is here:

How To Disable Registry Editor In Windows 10/8/7

FYI: GPO snap-in is not available in Windows 10 Home editions. If you’re on Windows 10 Home and want to use Group Policy, go here and upgrade to Pro edition.

1. Press Windows Key + R and put gpedit.msc in Run dialog box to open Local Group Policy Editor. Click OK.

2. Navigate here:

User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System

3. In the right pane of this location, look for setting named Prevent access to registry editing tools and click on it. It should show Not Configured status by default. Double click on the setting to modify it. You’ll got this:

4. Finally, in order to disable Registry Editor, select Enabled in the above shown window. Click Apply followed by OK. That’s it!

Thus you have successfully disabled Registry Editor. Now whenever users on your computer trying to access it, they will get an error message that Registry editing has been disabled by your administrator. If you like to allow access again, click on Not Configured or Disabled in the window shown in step 3.

That’s it!

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Article by

Kapil Arya
11x Microsoft MVP · Admin

Kapil holds Microsoft MVP title in Windows IT Pro expertise, 11-times in a row (2014-2025). He is 8-times Windows Insider MVP as well, and author of 'Windows Group Policy Troubleshooting' book. In 2015, Microsoft India accomplished him as 'Windows 10 Champion'. Being passionate Windows blogger, he loves to help others on fixing their system issues. Kapil has worked with official Microsoft Community Engagement Team (CET) on several community projects. You can subscribe him for news/updates and fixes for Windows.

2 Comments
Alex Boyd

When I open my laptop goes straight in to sign in it says type in A1 B2 C3 for ages my 4 number Pin was not working what’s going on I haven’t had any hassles before.

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