Tweaking Windows settings that are not readily available in standard menus will ordinarily require modifications to be made from the OS' Registry Editor or Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc). The registry is a database with settings stored for the system, drivers, services, user interface and so on, while the Group Policy Editor provides more of a GUI for understanding and adjusting some of the settings in the registry (Group Policy changes are also kept in the registry).

Group Policy features were introduced in Windows 2000 and are withal bundled with the operating system today as long equally yous aren't on a Abode or Starter build, which accept less features than Pro or Enterprise.

We regularly reference Group Policy settings throughout our tips, such equally this guide to disabling Windows ads and more on Windows 10, and we idea those of you on Habitation would probably capeesh being able to use Gpedit like everyone else.

You tin can bank check what version of Windows you are on with the tool that opens by entering msinfo32.exe into Start or Run. You tin besides check if the Group Policy Editor is installed by trying to launch the utility with gpedit.msc.

Afterward testing various suggestions from effectually the web, we found one that works for adding the Group Policy Editor to Windows 7, 8 and 10.

Install the Group Policy Editor on Windows Home Edition

Aside from working with many generations of Windows, the highlight of this first method is that no downloads are required. Instead, files that already be inside your operating system are used to install Group Policy Editor. While Windows Habitation doesn't have gpedit.msc installed, all of the data necessary for the utility are stored in the arrangement files.

Nosotros'll use Windows DISM commands to install the Grouping Policy Editor (credit to Solomon at SQL Quantum Leap for this).

Re-create the entire body of text and paste/enter it into an admin-level Command Prompt.

FOR %F IN ("%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientTools-Package~*.mum") Do (

DISM /Online /NoRestart /Add-Packet:"%F"

)

FOR %F IN ("%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientExtensions-Package~*.mum") DO (

DISM /Online /NoRestart /Add-Package:"%F"

)

Using those commands installed the Group Policy Editor within a few minutes on our virtual machines running Dwelling house editions of Windows 7, 8 and x. In each case, a reboot was needed for gpedit.msc to be listed via Start.

Policy Plus: An alternative to the Grouping Policy Editor

If that didn't work and you aren't opposed to third-party software, Policy Plus is gratuitous, portable, open up source, can be installed on whatever edition of Windows and provides an interface for making Group Policy changes that is similar to Microsoft's Group Policy Editor, although the Policy Plus developer notes that applying certain tweaks will require you to apply File > Salve.

Group Policy settings that may be worth configuring

As mentioned earlier, we have dedicated article to disabling Windows 10'southward various annoyances and that's likely a good starting location if y'all're looking for some things to tweak in the Group Policy Editor. However, here are some examples of what can be modified, including a couple of the suggestions from that article.

Quick beginning guide: Search Kickoff or Run for gpedit.msc to open up the Group Policy Editor, then navigate to the desired setting, double-click on it and choose Enable or Disable and Employ/Ok.

A slew of Start carte du jour/Taskbar tweaks
User Configuration > Authoritative Templates > Start Carte and Taskbar

Prevent or filibuster Windows Update
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Defer Upgrades and Updates

Disable forced restarts
Computer Configuration > Administrator Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > No auto-restart with logged on users for scheduled automated update installations

Disable removable disks
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System > Removable Storage Admission > Removable Disks: Deny read admission

Other hardware lockouts: Computer Configuration > Policies > Administrative Templates > Organisation > Device Installation > Device Installation Restrictions

Power-related policy settings
Computer Configuration > Authoritative Templates > System > Power Management

Disable OneDrive
Figurer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > OneDrive > Prevent the usage of OneDrive for file storage

Prevent software installations
Computer Configurations > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Installer > Disable Windows Installer

Turn Off Windows Defender
Estimator Configuration > Authoritative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Defender > Turn off Windows Defender

Lock your desktop wallpaper
User Configuration > Authoritative Templates > Command Panel > Personalization > Foreclose Irresolute Desktop Groundwork

Disable Windows ten telemetry Open up up the Group Policy Editor by launching gpedit.msc as an administrator. Go through Computer Configuration > Authoritative Templates > Windows Components > Data Collection and Preview Builds > Allow Telemetry

White/blacklist applications from running
Estimator Configuration > Policies > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Awarding Control Policies > AppLocker

Record Windows logon attempts
Reckoner Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Local Policies > Inspect Policy > Audit logon events (Enable Success & Failure)

Show but sure command console items
Local Computer Policy > User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Command Panel > Hibernate specified Command Panel items or Show only specified Control Panel Particular

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