How to Disable the Internet Options Registry

The Internet Options window controls several browser settings.

In Windows, the Internet Options window is used for several of the basic settings that the computer uses when browsing the Internet, such as enabling or disabling certain kinds of website scripts and using a proxy server. If you administer a computer used by several people, you might have cause to disable the Internet Options window to prevent others from making a change that can prevent the computer from browsing. Additionally, disabling the Internet Options window may prevent some types of malicious software from hijacking your web browser. Make a change in the Windows registry to prevent the Internet Options window from being opened.

Instructions

1. Press the Windows logo and "R" keys together, or click the "Start" button, then click "Run." The "Run" dialog box opens. Type "regedit" without quotation marks in the dialog box and press "Enter."

2. Click the plus- or triangle-shaped icons to the left of a folder to open that folder. Open the "HKEY_CURRENT_USER," "Software," "Policies," "Microsoft" and "Internet Explorer" folders.

3. Right-click the "Internet Explorer" folder, then click "New" and "Key." A new folder is created. Name the folder "Restrictions" and press "Enter."

4. Right-click the "Restrictions" folder, then click "New" and "DWORD Value." A new entry appears on the right side of the screen. Name it "NoBrowserOptions."

5. Double-click "NoBrowserOptions" to open the new registry value in a new window.

6. Change the number displayed under "Value Data" from "0" to "1." Click "OK." The Internet Options window can no longer be opened from Internet Explorer. However, it can still be opened from the Control Panel.

7. Right-click the "Internet Explorer" folder, then click "New" and "Key." Name the new key "Restrictions."

8. Right-click the "Restrictions" folder, then click "New" and "DWORD Value." Name the new value "ProgramsTab." Double-click it and change the number under "Value Data" from "0" to "1."

9. Create the DWORD values "ContentTab," "GeneralTab," "ConnectionsTab," "AdvancedTab," "PrivacyTab" and "SecurityTab" under "Restrictions." Change the value for each one from "0" to "1."

10. Close the registry editor. The Internet Options window can no longer be accessed from Internet Explorer or the Control Panel.

References

• RegXPlor: Restrict Access to Internet Explorer Options
• PCTools: Internet Explorer Restrictions