How to Remove the Connection Tab in Windows Internet Explorer

Use the Registry Editor to excise the connection tab from Internet Explorer.

The connection tab of Internet Explorer allows you to change how the Windows web browser connects to the Internet. It also allows you to change the network settings and dialing settings of the modem. You can remove the tab completely from Internet Explorer to prevent changes to these settings, which is useful for maintaining public computers or computers on a network, such as in a computer lab.

Instructions

1. Click on the "Start" button in the lower left corner of your screen, then "Run." If you are running Windows Vista or 7, you will instead see a "Search" text box. In either instance, type in "regedit" (without quotes) and click "Enter." Select the "regedit" program from the search results or wait for it to load after typing it into the "Run" text box.

2. Locate: "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\" from the list of folders in the top left of the "regedit" program. Right-click on the folder and select "New" followed by "Key."

3. Label the new key "Internet Explorer" and click "Enter." A new folder will appear labeled "Internet Explorer." Right-click on this folder and select "New" followed by "Key."

4. Label the new key "Control Panel" and click "Enter." This will create a new subkey under the primary "Internet Explorer" key.

5. Right-click on the "Control Panel" folder under "Internet Explorer". Select "New" followed by "DWORD." Label this as "Connections Tab."

6. Right-click on "Connections Tab" in the menu on the right of the "regedit" window and select "Modify."

7. Enter "1" into the text box under "Value Data" in the pop-up window that appears and click "OK." Exit out of the "regedit" program by clicking the "X" in the top right of the program window. Restart the computer if prompted.

Tips & Warnings

• Accessing the Windows Registry via "regedit" is only recommended for advanced users. If you make a change to or delete a file or folder without knowing what you are doing, you can cause system errors on the computer.

References

• Liutilities: How to remove Internet Explorer connection tab controls