How to Disable Internet Options in Group Policy

Manage user options with Windows Group Policy Editor.

As a computer administrator, you can control many aspects of the Windows computers in your workgroup so that users cannot change necessary features and settings, inadvertently or otherwise. For example, you can disable specific tabs of the "Internet Options" feature of Internet Explorer. One way to do so is using Group Policy, which is a configuration control available in certain versions of Windows.

Things You'll Need

• Windows Vista Business, Enterprise or Ultimate
• Windows 7 Enterprise, Professional or Ultimate

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" button. Type "gpedit.msc" into the "Search" box at the bottom of the "Start" menu and press "Enter." Click "Yes" if prompted by the "User Account Control." The "Local Group Policy Editor" window opens.

2. Click "User Configuration." Expand "Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Internet Explorer." Click the "Control Panel" folder but do not expand it.

3. Double-click the first tab of the "Internet Options" dialog that you want to disable to open the "Properties" dialog box for that tab.

4. Go to the "Settings" tab of the dialog box. Select the "Disabled" button. Click "OK."

5. Open the "Properties" dialog for each subsequent tab of Internet Options you want to disable and select the "Disabled" button on the "Settings" tab. Close the "Local Group Policy Editor" window when finished.

Tips & Warnings

• To enable any tab once you have disabled it, go back to Group Policy, open "Properties" for that tab and select "Enable" on the "Settings" tab.

References

• Help Desk Geek: How to Disable/Enable Internet Options Tabs in IE
• Windows IT Pro: How Can I Use Group Policy to Restrict Access to the Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE) Configuration Tabs?