5/20/2020 Hide "Windows Features"

Computer step by step Custom Search

Computerstepbystep Computer Maintenance Infected Pc Installations Download Donate

Computerstepbystep
Computer Maintenance
Infected Pc
Malware Definition
Retake Control
DeleteTemp Files Hide "Windows Features"
Msconfig Startup List
Internet Browser
Redirect
User Account Control
Back Description Gpedit Regedit CMD
Msconfig VBScript PowerShell Script Result
Command Prompt
Like 0 Tweet Share
Registry Editor
Windows Task Manager
Group Policy
Description:
Windows Xp
Windows Vista This setting prevents users from accessing the "Turn Windows features on or off" task from the Programs
Windows 7 Control Panel in Category View, Programs and Features in Classic View, and Get Programs. As a result, users
Computer Configuration cannot view, enable, or disable various Windows features and services.
Administrative Templates
User Configuration Administrative
If this setting is disabled or is not configured, the "Turn Windows features on or off" task will be available to
Templates all users.
Specify default category for Add
This setting does not prevent users from using other tools and methods to configure services or enable or
New Programs disable program components.
Hide the "Add a program from
CD-ROM or floppy disk" option
Supported on: At least Windows Vista.
Hide the "Add programs from
Microsoft" option
Hide the "Add programs from
your network" option
Gpedit:
Hide Add New Programs page
Remove Add or Remove Please perform the following steps:
Programs
Please go to Pearl button (Start) and click on the Search programs and files
For more information about the change from Start to Pearl button click here

Type gpedit.msc and press Enter

In the Group Policy window please navigate to User Configuration -> Administrative Templates ->
Control Panel -> Programs and open Hide "Windows Features".

Not Configured -> is the Default state

https://computerstepbystep.com/hide-windows-features.html 1/5
5/20/2020 Hide "Windows Features"
Enabled -> apply this GPO
Disabled -> this GPO will not be applied

To finish press ok button and close Group Policy window.

Regedit:

Please perform the following steps:

Please go to Pearl button (Start) and click on the Search programs and files
For more information about the change from Start to Pearl button click here

Type regedit and press ok

Please confirm User Account Control pop-up

Microsoft official disclaimer

https://computerstepbystep.com/hide-windows-features.html 2/5
5/20/2020 Hide "Windows Features"

Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by
using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft
cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.

Note: This registry key is created by Group Policy when this GPO is Enable. The GPO Default state is Not
Configured -> this registry entry is not present. For Disable this registry entry is not present.

Please navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies

Double click on NoWindowsFeatures and edit the value:

To Enable:
Change the data value with:
NoProgramsAndFeatures = 1

To finish press ok button and close Registry Editor window

Note: Manual editing of this registry key will not be reflected in Group Policy. If you modify this GPO from
Group Policy this registry key will be rewritten.

CMD:

Please perform the following steps:

Please go to Pearl button (Start) and click on the Search programs and files
For more information about the change from Start to Pearl button click here

Type cmd, right click on cmd icon under the Programs and click on Run as administrator

https://computerstepbystep.com/hide-windows-features.html 3/5
5/20/2020 Hide "Windows Features"

Please confirm User Account Control pop-up

Please select, right and copy a registry key from below, then right click on command prompt window
, select Paste and press Enter

Enabled:
REG add "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Programs" /v NoWindowsFeatures /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

Not Configured:
REG DELETE "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Programs" /v NoWindowsFeatures /f

Note: Manual editing of this registry key will not be reflected in Group Policy. If you modify this GPO from
Group Policy this registry key will be rewritten.

VBScript:

Const HKEY_CURRENT_USER = &H80000001

strKeyPath = "Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Programs"
oReg.CreateKey HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath
strValueName = "NoWindowsFeatures"
'Enabled
dwValue = 1
oReg.SetDWORDValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName,dwValue
'Not Configured
'oReg.DeleteValue HKEY_CURRENT_USER,strKeyPath,strValueName

https://computerstepbystep.com/hide-windows-features.html 4/5
5/20/2020 Hide "Windows Features"

PowerShell Script :

Enabled

$RegKey = "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies"
If(Test-Path ($RegKey + "\Programs"))
{
$RegKey = "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Programs"
##Enabled
New-ItemProperty -path $RegKey -name NoWindowsFeatures -value 1 -PropertyType DWord -Force
}
else
{
New-Item -path $RegKey -name Programs
$RegKey = "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Programs"
##Enabled
New-ItemProperty -path $RegKey -name NoWindowsFeatures -value 1 -PropertyType DWord
}

Not Configured\Disabled

$RegKey = "HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies"
Remove-ItemProperty -Path($RegKey + "\Programs") -name NoWindowsFeatures
If( (Get-Item -Path($RegKey + "\Programs")).ValueCount -eq 0 -and (Get-Item -Path($RegKey + "\Programs")).SubKeyCount -eq 0)
{
Remove-Item -Path($RegKey + "\Programs")
}

By Default you have access to "Turn Windows features on or off" under Start -> Control Panel ->
Programs.

You can prevent access to "Turn Windows features on or off" from Programs and Features using Group
Policy or modify the specific registry key.

Note: If you want to prevent access to "Turn Windows features on or off" from Programs and Features to
a specific user you need to modify or add the registry key under his SID.

Back Up

Like 0 Tweet Share

https://computerstepbystep.com/hide-windows-features.html 5/5