How to Remove the Internet Explorer Content Advisor Password

The key, a commonly used symbol with Content Advisor.

As a parent, or an IT administrator, you may have concerns as to what websites your children or employees are allowed or not allowed to see. Today, the Internet is full of many websites and images that anyone at any age can view, intentionally or not. In order to protect or limit the websites people can view, Microsoft added a feature known as Content Advisor that works with Internet Explorer, the most commonly used web browser on the Internet.

Things You'll Need

• Computer running Windows (any version will do)
• Administrative Access/log in (XP or Higher)
• Internet Explorer version 5 or newer (with the Content Advisor password enabled)

Instructions

1. Save and Close any running programs you are operating, such as Internet Explorer, Pictures, Word Documents. Essentially you want your computer to be the way it was when you first turned it on.

2. Click on Start, then click on Run.

   Type in regedit and press OK.

   In Windows XP or later depending upon your system settings, you may have to click Start, go to the Accessories folder and click Command Prompt. You will get a black screen, type regedit here and press enter.

3. Click on the plus sign to the left of the caption HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.
   In some versions of windows a triangle substitutes the plus sign.

4. Continue to open the registries, by clicking on the plus sign at the left of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE, click, Software, then Microsoft, then Windows, then Current Version, then Policies, and finally Ratings.

5. Click on the Ratings folder.

6. Look to the right side of the Registry Editor window, you would see an item named "Key", right-click it and click Delete.

7. Close the Registry Editor by clicking the X in the upper right hand corner of the window.

   If you have the command prompt window open, you may close it following the same procedure.

8. Restart the computer and run Internet Explorer again. Choose View and then Internet Options. Click on Tools, Internet Options, for Internet Explorer Five or greater.

9. Click on the Content tab and click on Disable. When Internet Explorer asks for the password, leave it blank, and click on OK. This will disable the Content Advisor Password in Internet Explorer.

10. Open Windows Explorer and delete the file named RATINGS.POL
    Windows Explorer can be used by simply clicking start, selecting computer (or double-click the My Computer icon from the desktop) and double-clicking on the C drive. From there double-click on the System folder and delete the file RATINGS.POL

    If you do not find the file, you can disregard this step as some systems create the file while others do not.

Tips & Warnings

• It is recommended by some in the industry to back up your registry properly although not necessary it is recommended for those who have data that cannot be recovered. If you are unsure how to do this consult your computer manufacture, Microsoft, or any local computer repair technician.

• These instructions will not work unless the Content Advisor is turned on.

• Read all information on the registry editor window carefully before clicking or deleting. Many keys can look alike, deleting the wrong key cannot be undone. This is real time editing.

• The Registry is the backbone of your system, deleting the wrong key could also result in loss of data, programs, or even render the computer inaccessible.

• Microsoft will not help you if you are stuck or unsure, even though this is the only solution as content advisor doesn't offer a password reset tool for content advisor, they will not assist in password recovery or registry editing.

References

• PC Today
• PC Nine One One Expert Help

Resources

• Microsoft's Password Policy