DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

TUTORIAL: All Kinds of Restrictions for Windows XP/2003

76 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/tutorial-all-kinds-of-restrictions-for-windows-xp-2003.40864/

Vishal Gupta
Vishal Gupta Original post #1
Nov 10, 2006 at 7:14 PM
Guys!

In this tutorial, I'll tell u some interesting restrictions, which can be made in XP/2003. Like u can restrict Display properties, taskbar properties, folder options, etc.

Though many of u may know all of them or a few of them already, but I think it would be good to share them with u. ;)

All tricks are based on Registry editing. :)
So I'll tell the keyname and the value, that u hv to create for the restriction! If the key is not present, then simply create it. ;)

So here we go:

All Kinds of Restrictions for Windows 2000, XP, 2003 and Vista
s18000rpm
Nov 10, 2006 at 7:26 PM
Cool :D Thanx
Tech Geek
Nov 10, 2006 at 7:31 PM
Really cool buddy
from where do u get all this things from??
Vishal Gupta
Nov 10, 2006 at 7:54 PM
thnx guys!

@Tech Geek
From my mind ;)
I hv learnt so many Registry tricks, that I can tell most of them without opening the registry editor :) So actually there is no source from where I post them, its just my experience & love with registry :D

6 more tricks added in the end of the first post...
Tech Geek
Nov 10, 2006 at 7:56 PM
u really live in the registry buddy
do u keep exploring the registry?
Vishal Gupta
Nov 10, 2006 at 7:58 PM
Yeps ;)

Thats my favorite time-pass :D (Registry Editing & Resource Hacking :) )
Tech Geek
Nov 10, 2006 at 8:03 PM
But how do u know which one is what?
Vishal Gupta
Nov 10, 2006 at 8:49 PM
Actually it comes with experience, I hv given so much time for such stuffs in past few years! :)

Even I can't remember, from where I knew about all such tricks! No1 create those Registry tricks, these r in-built in XP but the thing is how many tricks u can remember ;)
outlaw
outlaw #9
Nov 10, 2006 at 10:57 PM
u are indeed a true registry hacker

keep up the good work buddy
Matrix
Matrix #10
Nov 11, 2006 at 1:30 AM
HI vishal
please tell me this...


1. How to stop other users frm executing types of file u want to and can passwords be given to execute specific file types ?

2. How to prevent access to event logs ?

3. and can it be done that other than commonly used exes like windows media player, winamp, etc. other exe's can be stopped to be executed by specific users ...?

please...Thanks
iMav
iMav #11
Nov 11, 2006 at 3:36 AM
awesome post vishal
aditya.shevade
Nov 11, 2006 at 10:36 AM
I want one. I disabled the browser options of IE using the hack given in the Digit Fast Track. But you can still access the browser options by right clicking the IE icon and going into the properties. Is there any way to completely forbid access to these properties.

If you are going to tell me to disable right clicking altogether then that is not what I want. Please see if you can find this.

Aditya Shevade
Vishal Gupta
Nov 11, 2006 at 2:57 PM
^^
Yes! It only disables Internet Options inside the browser, but u can still access them from other methods :(

But there is a work-around :D
U can disable a particular tab in the Internet Options ;) So if any1 try to access Internet Options from other methods, he'll not be able to access that particular tab :D

So just tell me which tab u want to disable, and I'll post the code ;)

@Matrix
1.) It can't be done using registry :( u'll hv to use 3rd party s/w.

2.) yes! u can restrict event log for accounts other than system accounts. Goto following key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\EventLog

create new DWORD value RestrictGuestAccess and set its value to 1

3.) Yes! just create following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\RestrictRun

and in right-side pane, create new String value with name like 1 and set its value to the program's exe which u want to be allow to run!
piyush gupta
Nov 11, 2006 at 4:21 PM
@Vishal:
if i restrict registry editor then how can i reopen reg. editor
Vishal Gupta
Nov 11, 2006 at 4:53 PM
I noticed that after restricting registry editor, 3rd party Registry editors work :D

Tuneup Utilities registry editor works even after disabling Windows default registry editor!

or u can again enable registry editor from gpedit.msc ;)
sridatta
sridatta #16
Nov 11, 2006 at 4:56 PM
@Piyush..
u can always change registry keys without opening Regedit.. :) Since you know the key u disabled, its just a matter of enabling it.. You can change the registry keys through Command prompt, Run command etc..

Type the key below in Start -> Run

REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableRegistryTools /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Matrix
Matrix #18
Nov 12, 2006 at 2:10 AM
HI vishal...Thanks for the help..
bhai tell me ..for ..

1. Any such 3rd party Software which can do this ....?

and

3.I want to restrict all the other apps to be run by others, except a few ones of course, so can something be done by regedit or any third party app that i can restrict executing or installing all the other apps other than just a few ones which i want to allow

Pleasee.
aditya.shevade
Nov 12, 2006 at 11:27 AM
Hi

I want to disable the general and security tab.

Aditya Shevade
Vishal Gupta
Nov 12, 2006 at 12:12 PM
^^
To disable General & Security tab:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel

and create following DWORD values:

Wallet
GeneralTab
SecurityTab


and set their values to 1 :)

Matrix said:
3.I want to restrict all the other apps to be run by others, except a few ones of course, so can something be done by regedit or any third party app that i can restrict executing or installing all the other apps other than just a few ones which i want to allow

Pleasee.
Regarding to ur 3rd point, I told na ;)

3.) Yes! just create following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\RestrictRun

and in right-side pane, create new String value with name like 1 and set its value to the program's exe which u want to be allow to run!

e.g., u want to allow only winamp.exe, wmp.exe, iexplore.exe, etc. then just create String values, like 1, 2, 3, and so on and give each application name as the value ;)
gary4gar
gary4gar #21
Nov 12, 2006 at 3:55 PM
great work buddy!
can u create a automactic setup of it?
Third Eye
Third Eye #22
Nov 12, 2006 at 5:38 PM
Thanks for telling us Vishal........
Vishal Gupta
Nov 12, 2006 at 6:28 PM
thnx ;)

@gary4gar
I can create a single .REG file for automating the whole task but it'll not be useful to all, e.g., some members would like to restrict Desktop properties but some would not, so it'll not work for all :)
aditya.shevade
Nov 13, 2006 at 12:15 PM
Thanks for the info.

Aditya
vikasg03
vikasg03 #25
Nov 16, 2006 at 2:47 PM
Thanks ,but u left one important. How to "Disable Network Control Panel" in windows 2000/xp. I know how to disable this one in win 98 by using this key
"[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\
Network]"
Value Name: NoNetSetup
Data Type: REG_DWORD (DWORD Value)
Value Data: (0 = disabled, 1 = enabled)

This tweak works in 98 but not work in 2000 or xp. if u know then plz provide.
Vishal Gupta
Nov 16, 2006 at 3:02 PM
I posted only frequently used Restrictions :)

There are many other restrictions, which I can post on demand ;)

Regarding to ur query, u can restrict any Control Panel Applet in 2000/XP using any of following 2 tricks:

1.) If u know the exact filename of the applet, u want to restrict, (like desk.cpl for desktop properties), then simply create following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\don't load

and in right-side pane, create a new String value with the same name of the file (like desk.cpl, if u want to restrict this applet in control panel) and set its value to 1 to restirct it.

2.) OR just create following key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowCpl

and in right-side pane create a new String value and in its name give any number, (like 1, and so on) and set its value to exact name of the applet (like "Network Connections" to restrict this applet)! :)
GNUrag
GNUrag #27
Nov 17, 2006 at 2:10 PM
There used to be a project called RedEdit.com - now known as WinGuides.com ( *winguides.com/registry/ )
almost all of these tricks are neatly mentioned there. They also have a utility which will do these registry edits for the user.
Vishal Gupta
Nov 17, 2006 at 2:22 PM
^^
There r lots of sites along with the site u mentioned, where we can get such tricks and many more without any problem, but it doesnt mean that we should not share our information with others :)

I know these tricks and thats why I posted them......
B
bhavik #29
Nov 17, 2006 at 10:35 PM
any way handfull of new info...

thankz
Matrix
Matrix #30
Nov 18, 2006 at 12:44 AM
Matrix said:
1. How to stop other users frm executing types of file u want to and can passwords be given to execute specific file types ?

Vishal Gupta said:
1.) It can't be done using registry u'll hv to use 3rd party s/w.

Matrix said:
1. Any such 3rd party Software which can do this ....?

So Vishal can you plz suggest some free/paid apps to do this ? Thanks for the help in advance.
Vishal Gupta
Nov 18, 2006 at 1:51 AM
Sorry! But I never used any such software :(

May be some other member knows about it? :)

I'll let u know if I get any info about such software ;)
F
fannedman #32
Nov 27, 2006 at 7:31 PM
Nice ones,but you are doing this the long way.All these registry hacks can be done without going into the nitty-gritty of the registry i.e through GROUP POLICY.

Go to run,then type gpedit.msc.This will open the group policy editor. I think you'll find almost all of your hacks here and even more advanced options. As you can see microsoft had already implemented most of these hacks,but left them disabled here.

Again like with the registry,you should do this with caution.
wizrulz
wizrulz #33
Nov 30, 2006 at 7:58 PM
no words to explain how much ur SPECIAL TUTS help man......how do u keep so much in UR BRAIN.....;)
Vishal Gupta
Nov 30, 2006 at 9:34 PM
thnx buddy for ur appreciations *www.cobusnet.nl/images/emoticons/hulde.gif
Ron
Ron #35
Jan 2, 2007 at 10:19 AM
hey thanks...........
how can i block traffic of specific web browser......
casanova
casanova #36
Jan 2, 2007 at 5:30 PM
Another quality tut by Vishal. Keep it up and thx for sharing the info
K
keves2002 #37
Jan 4, 2007 at 12:53 PM
@vishal

Sukran :) [ Thats vat here ppl say 4 thanx in "Arabic" ], hey man now u r popular amoung my friends here in United Arab Emirates :grin:
Pathik
Pathik #38
Jan 4, 2007 at 2:25 PM
hey thanx vishal..
Vishal Gupta
Jan 5, 2007 at 8:48 PM
^^
Buddy u forgot to ask my permission before posting them :)
And also u hvnt given credits to me in any tut?
I checked one tut about "enable hibernate button" and it shows "By Siddharth Maheshwari(site owner) Contact:-siddharth_bhoot@yahoo.co.in" :confused:

U should post a link to actual tut in each tutorial at ur site, like this:

*tusharhindlekar3.googlepages.com/tutorials
Ron
Ron #42
Jan 9, 2007 at 8:29 PM
hey,
How can i block traffic of specific web browser like Morzilla, Opera in our PC??
ECE0105
ECE0105 #43
Jan 10, 2007 at 5:17 PM
Awesome Tut dude.. Do u work for Micro$oft ????
Vishal Gupta
Jan 10, 2007 at 6:21 PM
^^ Not yet but may be in future :cool:

@Ron
Buddy! can u pls be more specific about ur query? ;)
Ron
Ron #45
Jan 10, 2007 at 8:29 PM
Vishal Gupta said:
^^ Not yet but may be in future :cool:

@Ron
Buddy! can u pls be more specific about ur query? ;)

Hey vishal,
Whenever i connect my pc to the net....All three browsers gets connected to the net............Now.........
how can i block a particular browser from accesing the internet...........
Vishal Gupta
Jan 10, 2007 at 10:43 PM
Afaik, there is no registry trick to do it. But it can be done, if the browser provide such feature ;)
But I think if u set File -> Work Offline, then no browser can connect to net until u uncheck the offline option :)
R
rup #47
Jan 16, 2007 at 11:30 PM
hi vishal...
how r u?....
u really became a reg_hacker...
...........keeep it up........... nice posting once again.......
Vishal Gupta
Jan 17, 2007 at 1:42 AM
thnx buddy for ur nice comments :)
I'm enjoying my holidays after MCA exams :D
saurav_nolakha
Feb 9, 2007 at 12:44 PM
how to open regedit again to change its restriction when once it has been restricted??????
howz dat!!!!
Vishal Gupta
Feb 9, 2007 at 1:37 PM
^^
Look in following topic, how to enable regedit again:

*www.thinkdigit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=43523
saurabh kakkar
Feb 13, 2007 at 1:32 AM
hi
i am facing unusual prob. while appling rectrictions

1. my windows registry editor is not showing CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Curre ntVersion\Policies\System

2. my windows registry editor is not showing
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun

3.i have two user accounts both administrator thougt i am able to restrict some changes in one account . restrictions are not working on other

can someone sortout whats the prob.
Vishal Gupta
Feb 13, 2007 at 2:26 PM
^^
1.) & 2.) U'll hv to create the required key manually. Just right-click on the existing key (like "Policies") and then select "Create new key" and then give the name to the key (like "System").

2.) Changes made for one account will not affect to the other account. U'll hv to set for all manually.
saurabh kakkar
Feb 13, 2007 at 3:28 PM
thansk vishal 4r ur valuable comments BUT my 3 prob. remains as it is

i have tried to restrict my other adminis account manully but nothing happened . can u sort out ?
Vishal Gupta
Feb 13, 2007 at 3:52 PM
If u want to restrict anything in an account, then login using that account and then follow the steps given in the tut. :)
saurabh kakkar
Feb 13, 2007 at 10:26 PM
Vishal Gupta said:
If u want to restrict anything in an account, then login using that account and then follow the steps given in the tut. :)

first of all thanks 4r ur valuable reply.

I had imposed restriction into another account by loging into it though it had not worked earlier but is imposing restrictions now .CAN U TELL THE REASON BEHIND THIS ?
V
vivek_oz #56
Feb 19, 2007 at 2:22 PM
hey vishal nice tute man
can u tell me how to disable the windows administrator password
please reply soon
other guys plz help me out i have forgotten my password
and i cant prefer to format my computer
ravi_9793
ravi_9793 #57
Apr 13, 2007 at 11:42 PM
vivek_oz said:
hey vishal nice tute man
can u tell me how to disable the windows administrator password
please reply soon
other guys plz help me out i have forgotten my password
and i cant prefer to format my computer
U can find your answer here
*www.techiehome.org/viewtopic.php?t=486
samspade
samspade #58
Jul 9, 2007 at 7:26 PM
thx nice :)
R
Jul 9, 2007 at 7:51 PM
plz help me to enable the use of a usb drive which doesn't show up
V
vrnoormd #60
Jul 15, 2007 at 7:54 PM
How to Shutdown Windows 2003 without giving a comment ?

Plz tell me.....
Official Techie
Jul 20, 2007 at 6:33 AM
Please help me guys. Some crap came from yahoo messenger though norton deleted it My computer has got infected. First i saw that i cannot get the task manager to run then i thought to enable it again from gpedit then there was no run in start menu so i couldn't run gpedit or registry editor . Then i made registries for solving this just to know that registry editor has been disabled. So what do i do now i don't want to format.
ravi_9793
ravi_9793 #62
Jul 20, 2007 at 8:58 AM
^^^^^^^^^^
to open run box press
windows key+R

To enable registry:
After opening run box..type gpedit.msc
Than navigate to:
User Configuration-->> Administrative Templates-->> System

In the right pane, disable Prevent access to Registry editing tools .

Or type this command in run box and press enter:
REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableRegistryTools /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
Official Techie
Jul 20, 2007 at 5:19 PM
ravi_9793 said:
^^^^^^^^^^
to open run box press
windows key+R

To enable registry:
After opening run box..type gpedit.msc
Than navigate to:
User Configuration-->> Administrative Templates-->> System

In the right pane, disable Prevent access to Registry editing tools .

Or type this command in run box and press enter:
REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableRegistryTools /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

windows key + r not working its also disabled dont u think i might have tried as simple a thing
A
Jul 20, 2007 at 7:43 PM
thanks i needed it.
ravi_9793
ravi_9793 #65
Jul 20, 2007 at 8:00 PM
Official Techie said:
windows key + r not working its also disabled dont u think i might have tried as simple a thing
can you open task manager using alt+ctrl+del
Vishal Gupta
Jul 20, 2007 at 9:33 PM
@Official Techie
U can open "gpedit.msc" and regedit by direct running them from "%windir%\System32\" folder.

And the command to enable regedit can also be given from Command Prompt.
Official Techie
Jul 23, 2007 at 4:30 PM
Thanks buddy i thought about opening regedit from system 32 folder but regedit.exe was disabled so i thought that gpedit.msc might be disabled too so i didn't not check it but thanks to u i just gave it a atry and saw that the virus hadn't blocked it Thanks Once again
a_k_s_h_a_y
Jul 26, 2007 at 11:00 PM
Mr Vista where is the link to your blog ??
Also is there an archive for all the tuts by you ??
Vishal Gupta
Jul 26, 2007 at 11:15 PM
^^ I don't hv any blog. ;)
uzair
uzair #70
Jul 27, 2007 at 4:58 PM
An excellent compilation.....
NIGHTMARE
NIGHTMARE #71
Jan 4, 2008 at 11:08 PM
i install the fedora transformation pack then i want change a text file to reg file by rename the with .reg extension but its not convert into the registry file
R
Jan 11, 2008 at 11:01 PM
any way to show blocked usb drives VG?
A
Mar 16, 2008 at 8:40 AM
hey, vishal da. I've tried ur tips. But I cant disable msconfig !!!! Can u tell me why it's happening?
S
Mar 17, 2008 at 4:16 PM
wow Really U are a Reg Master

could u plz tell me is there twek to stop any new installations..

bcoz my friends installed harmfull things many times..

i want to stop new installations of any file...
M
Mar 17, 2008 at 4:26 PM
Very very Thanx.How can we rename Start button?