Buzz
Although the Windows 10 Settings app contains device configurations and personalization, the Control Panel still hosts numerous settings - many of which you may prefer other users not to modify.
If you share your computer with multiple users or if you serve as an IT Admin for an organization or company and wish to prevent other users from accessing Control Panel, as it often leads to unintended configurations.
You can also restrict access to specific pages within the Settings app. In this guide, Mytour will show you how to hide and set restrictions on accessing Control Panel and Settings.
Utilize Group Policy to hide and set restrictions on accessing Control Panel and Settings
On Windows 10 Pro (or Enterprise), the simplest way to hide specific settings in Control Panel is to use the Local Group Policy Editor. Alternatively, refer to how to access Control Panel Win 10 here.
To restrict user access to Control Panel settings using Group Policy, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run window.
Step 2: Type gpedit.msc then press Enter or click OK to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
Step 3: In the Local Group Policy Editor window, navigate to the key:
User Configuration => Administrative Templates => Control Panel
Step 4: Locate and double-click on the policy named Hide specified Control Panel items in the right pane.
Step 5: Select the Enabled option.
Step 6: Under the Options section, click on the Show button.
Step 7: Input the names of the items, settings that you prefer not to display on the Control Panel. For example, Windows Firewall.
Important Note: Enter one item per line for specific settings.
Step 8: Click on OK.
Step 9: Click on Apply.
Step 10: Click on OK.
After completing all the steps, close the Local Group Policy Editor window and open Control Panel. If you have configured the policy correctly as in the above steps, on the Control Panel window, you will only see the specified items, the items you set to hide will not be displayed.
The most important note in the process of hiding items on the Control Panel is that you must know the exact names of the items, the settings you want to hide before performing the steps.
If you wish, you can still set the items to be displayed again on the Control Panel by performing similar steps, but in step 5, select the Not Configured option.
Another way is to use Group Policy
Additionally, you can configure other policies to display specific items and to hide the remaining ones. Group Policy is the 'quicker' option if you want to hide many settings.
To hide items, specify settings on the Control Panel using Group Policy, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run command window.
Step 2: Type gpedit.msc in there and then press Enter or click OK to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
Step 3: On the Local Group Policy Editor window, navigate to the following path:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel
Step 4: In the right pane, find and double-click on the policy named Show specified Control Panel items.
Step 5: Select the Enabled option.
Step 6: In the Options
Step 7: Enter the names of the items you want to display on the Control Panel. For example, Windows Firewall.
Important note: Enter one item per line, with specific settings.
Step 8: Click OK.
Step 9: Click Apply.
Step 10: Click OK.
Using Registry to hide Control Panel and Settings settings
If you are using Windows 10 Home, you cannot access the Local Group Policy Editor, however, you can still hide specific settings on the Control Panel by editing the Registry.
Warning:
Registry is a crucial component in Windows, therefore, incorrect Registry editing can cause numerous system errors. It's best to back up your computer before proceeding.
To restrict user access to Control Panel settings using Registry, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run command window.
Step 2: Type regedit in there and then click OK or press Enter to open Registry.
Step 3: On the Registry window, navigate to the key below:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Step 4: Right-click on the right pane, select New =>DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Step 5: Name this key DisallowCPL and then press Enter.
Step 6: Double-click on the newly created DWORD value, then on the Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value window, set the value in the Value data box from 0 to 1.
Step 7: On the left pane, right-click on the Explorer key (folder), select New =>Key.
Step 8: Name this new key DisallowCPL and then press Enter.
Step 9: Inside the DisallowCPL key (folder), right-click in the right pane, select New =>String Value.
Step 10: Name the key with the name of the setting you want to hide, then press Enter.
Step 11: Double-click on the newly created String, enter the exact name of the item, setting you want to hide on the Control Panel (such as Network and Sharing Center), then click OK.
After completing the above steps, repeat steps 9, 10, and 11 to list all the items you do not want other users to see on the Control Panel.
The most important note during the process of hiding items on the Control Panel is that you must know the exact names of the items, settings you want to hide before proceeding with the steps.
Another approach using Registry
Additionally, you can configure another policy by using Registry to specify the items, settings you want to display, while hiding the rest. This is a quicker option if you want to hide multiple configurations.
To display specific settings on the Control Panel using Registry, follow the steps below:
Step 1: Press the Windows + R key combination to open the Run command window.
Step 2: Type regedit in there and then click OK or press Enter to open Registry.
Step 3: On the Registry window, navigate to the key below:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
Step 4: Right-click in the right pane, select New =>DWORD (32-bit) Value.
Step 5: Name the new key RestrictCPL then press Enter.
Step 6: Double-click on the newly created DWORD value, then on the Edit DWORD (32-bit) Value window, set the value in the Value data box from 0 to 1.
Step 7: On the left pane, right-click on the Explorer key (folder), select New =>Key.
Step 8: Name the key RestrictCPL then press Enter.
Step 9: Inside the RestrictCPL key, right-click in the right pane, select New =>String Value.
Step 10: Name the key with the name of the setting you want to hide, then press Enter.
Step 11: Double-click on the newly created String, enter the exact name of the item, setting you want to hide on the Control Panel (such as Network and Sharing Center), then click OK.
After completing the above steps, repeat steps 9, 10, and 11 to list all the items you want other users to see on the Control Panel.
If you want to restore the default settings on the Control Panel, you perform similar steps, find the key Explorer as in step 3 above, right-click on the DisallowCPL or RestrictCPL key, then select Delete. Then inside the Explorer key, ensure that you have right-clicked on DisallowCPL or RestrictCPL DWORD, select Delete to restore to the previous configuration.
List of available settings on Control Panel
Below is the list of names of all settings on Control Panel in Windows 10 Creators Update. Note that depending on the version of Windows 10 you are using, this list may vary, as Microsoft moves Control Panel settings to the Settings app.
Quick Tip: Easily find the names of items, settings you can hide by opening Control Panel, setting the View by to Large icons.
- Administrative Tools
- Backup and Restore (Windows 7)
- BitLocker Drive Encryption
- Color Management
- Credential Manager
- Date and Time
- Default Programs
- Device Manager
- Devices and Printers
- Ease of Access Center
- Folder Options
- File Backup
- Typography
- Local Network Sharing
- Search Options
- Infrared Connectivity
- Internet Settings
- Keyboard Settings
- Language Preferences
- Pointing Device
- Network Settings
- Digital Pen and Touch
- Phone and Modem Settings
- Power Settings
- Installed Programs
- System Recovery
- Regional Settings
- Remote Applications and Desktop Connections
- System Security and Maintenance
- Audio Settings
- Voice Recognition
- Disk Management
- Synchronization Center
- System Settings
- Tablet Settings
- Taskbar and Start Menu
- Troubleshooting Tools
- User Account Management
- Windows Defender Firewall
- Portable Windows
- Personal Folders
Here are some methods to restrict access to Control Panel on Windows 10 for a safer working environment, preventing others from customizing your computer through Control Panel.
