If you are the administrator of a Windows 11 PC, you may want to block users from the app Setting. There is a lot of change (and frustration) that can be caused by a user with that level of access.
For example, someone could mess up your network settings, personalization, privacy, language settings, etc. To prevent this, you will need to configure your PC to block access to settings for certain users. You can do this by editing the Registry or setting Group Policy, depending on your version of Windows.
To block users from the Settings app in Windows 11, here’s what you have to do.
How to block user access to Settings in Windows 11
If you use Windows 11 Home, your best option to block access to settings in Windows 11 is to use the Registry. You can configure a registry key that limits user access to settings by your user account.
Note: Editing the Registry can be risky and cause instability or a non-functional PC if you enter an incorrect value. Before making any changes, make a backup copy of the registry, create a restore point or make one full backup of your system.
Use the following steps to block users from Settings in Windows 11:
- open Execute pressing the key Windows + R.
- In Execute, scribe regedit and click To accept.
- Once the open Registry Editornavigate to the following path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer
- Right-click on the key of the Explorer and select New > DWORD (32-bit) Value.
- Now, name the new key as NoControlPanel and press Enter.
- Double click on the DWORD key NoControlPanel you just created and set your data Worth in oneand click To accept.
- Exit Registry Editor and restart windows 11.
- After following the steps correctly, when a user tries to enter the Settings app (or the old Control Panel), a message appears saying that they are restricted.
- If you want to change it back for any reason, go back to Registry Editor and change the DWORD NocontrolPanel from one a 0.
If you’re using Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can also use this method, or use the Group Policy method described below.
How to turn off access to Windows 11 Settings using Group Policy
If you’re running Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can use Group Policy to block user access to Settings and Control Panel.
To block user access to Control Panel or Settings:
- Use the key combination Windows + R to launch the dialog Execute.
- Scribe gpedit.msc and click To accept.
- When the open Local Group Policy Editornavigate to the following path:
Configuración de usuario > Plantillas Administrativas > Panel de Control
- Now double click on the policy Prohibit access to PC Settings and Control Panellocated on the right.
- When the following window appears, select Enabled.
- Click on Apply and in To accept to save your choice.
- If a user tries to access Settings, nothing will happen, and the Settings app won’t even open; there will be no alert notification. However, it is possible for Settings to enter a loop of attempting to start. Then, restart the pcwhich will fix the loop problem.
- If a user tries to open the Control Panelyou will get a message saying that it is not available due to restrictions.
If you need to change the setting again, open Group Policy and set the policy Prohibit access to PC Settings and Control Panel to Not Configured. Reboot the PC and the user will again have access to Settings and Control Panel.
Configuring Windows 11 Settings
If you’ve followed the steps above correctly, you should have blocked users from accessing the Settings app in Windows 11. Of course, don’t forget the most obvious method of limiting user access: create a local user account no admin access.
Settings aren’t the only thing you can lock down in Windows 11. For example, you can make users install apps only from the Microsoft Store. You can too create a guest account instead.
