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How to Enable or Disable the Control Panel in Vista Information | | This will show you how to Enable or Disable the Control Panel in all user accounts on the computer. |  | NOTE | | This will add or remove the Control Panel shortcut icon from the Start menu and Windows Explorer. If a user tries to open the Control Panel while disabled, they will get a Restrictions message. (See example below) |  | WARNING | | If you did not disable the Control Panel, then it may have been done by some kind of malware or spyware. You should do a complete scan of your computer for a virus and other malware to be safe. |  | RELATED LINKS:EXAMPLE: Control Panel Disabled Restrictions Message 
| METHOD ONE: |
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| Through the Local Group Policy Editor |
NOTE | | This method is only available for the Vista Business, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions. See Method Two below for the Vista Home Basic and Home Premium editions. | | 1. Open the Local Group Policy Editor.
2. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, and Control Panel. (See screenshot below)
3. In the right pane, right click on Prohibit access to the Control Panel and click on Properties. (See screenshot above)
4. To Enable the Control Panel - A) Dot Disabled or Not Configured. (See screenshot below step 6)
B) Go to step 6.
5. To Disable the Control Panel Icon - A) Dot Enabled.
6. Click on OK.
7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window when done.
| METHOD TWO: |
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| Through the Registry |
NOTE | | This will work for all Vista versions. | | Through a Download:
1. To Enable the Control Panel - A) Click on the download button below to download the
Enable_Control_Panel.reg file.
B) Go to step 3.
2. To Disable the Control Panel -A) Click on the download button below to download the
Disable_Control_Panel.reg file.
3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.
4. Right click on the .reg file (on Desktop) and click on Merge.
5. Click on the Run button in the Security Warning pop-up.
6. Click on Continue (UAC), Yes, and then OK when prompted.
7. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply the changes.
8. When done, you can delete the .reg file (on Desktop).
The Manual Way:
1. Open the Start Menu.
2. In the white line (Start Search) area, type regedit and press Enter.
3. Click on Continue in the UAC prompt.
4. In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below step 5C)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
NOTE: If you do not have Explorer, then right click on Polices and click on New and Key. Type Explorer and press Enter.
5. To Disable the Control Panel -A) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value.
B) Type NoControlPanel and press Enter.
C) Right click on NoControlPanel and click on Modify.
D) Type 1 and click on OK. (See screenshot below)
E) Go to step 7.
6. To Enable the Control Panel - A) In the right pane, right click on NoControlPanel and click on Delete. (See screenshot below step 5C)
B) Click on Yes to confirm deletion.
C) In regedit, go to: (See screenshot below)
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
D) In the right pane, repeat steps 6A and 6B if NoControlPanel is there to.
7. Close regedit.
8. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to apply the changes.
That's it,
Shawn |  Published by | | Administrator Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 25,919
Rep Power: 150 | |
Tutorial Tools | | |
Applies to | | All Vista Versions | | 64 Bit & 32 Bit | |
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