This article shows you how to prevent access to Control Panel and Windows Settings in Windows 10

If necessary, you can prevent users from accessing the Control Panel and the Windows Settings application using the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) or using the System Registry Editor.

How to prevent access to Control Panel and the Windows Settings application in the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)

This method is suitable for users of Windows professional or enterprise editions.

In the Local Group Policy Editor window that opens, expand the following list items:

User Configuration ➯ Administrative Templates ➯ Control Panel

Next, in the right part of the window, double-click with the left mouse button on the policy setting called

In the window Deny access to Control Panel and PC settings, set the switch from the Not configured position to the Enabled position and press the button OK

For the changes to take effect, restart your computer. To avoid rebooting the computer, run the command as administrator:

Now, when you try to launch the classic Control Panel, you will see a message box:

When you try to open the Windows Settings application, it simply will not launch and you will not see any messages.

The method described above restricts access to Control Panel and the Windows Settings application only for the current account. If you want to deny access to the Control Panel and Windows Settings application to other users, leaving access enabled for your account and not logging out of it, then by reading this article you will learn how to do this.

How to prevent access to Control Panel and Windows Settings in Registry Editor (regedit.exe)

This method is suitable for all editions of the Windows operating system. Before making any changes to the registry, it is recommended that you either export the registry section directly in which the changes will be made.

Open the registry editor by pressing the key combination + R, in the window that opens, enter the regedit command and press the key Enter↵

To deny access to Control Panel and the Windows Settings application for the user you are logged in as, in the Registry Editor, go to the following path:

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

If you want to block access to Control Panel and the Windows Settings application for all users on this computer, then go to the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Right click on the partition Explorer and in the context menu that appears, select

New > DWORD Value (32 bits). Name the created parameter NoControlPanel

The changes take effect immediately, and now when you try to launch the classic Control Panel, you will also see a message box:

The operation was canceled due to restrictions on this computer. Contact your system administrator.

Also, when you try to open the Windows Settings application, it simply will not start and you will not see any messages.

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If, when you try to open a program, go into the registry, or even access the control panel, the computer’s response always sounds the same: “The operation was canceled due to restrictions in force for the computer. Contact your network administrator,” then you should immediately start cleaning your computer from viruses and their traces.

We treat your computer for infection using the following methods:

We get rid of viruses and malware;

First step

We check the computer for viruses using, for example. We neutralize malware: remove, disinfect, rename, etc.

Second step

After eliminating the cause, the problem will not be solved overnight: disks and programs will still be unavailable.

Therefore, open it and do the following:

At the end of the analysis, a list of problems will appear in which we are interested in the following points:

Blocked Registry Editor, which indicates the registry is blocked;

Blocked Task Manager – the task manager is blocked;

Windows Explorer - closing windows is blocked – Windows Explorer is blocked;

My Computer - Administration menu item is blocked – “My Computer” is blocked;

Command line interface (cmd.exe) is blocked – the command line does not work.

From the name of the problems, it becomes immediately clear that the state of the computer is due to the pathogenic work of viruses that were removed by Dr Web. To restore the working state of the computer and its programs, you need to check the boxes next to the above items and click the “Fix selected issues” button.

Once the problems are resolved, information about the action will appear on the screen. Click "OK".

Third step

Now that the Registry Editor is working again, launch it. To do this, go to “Start” and click “Run”. For versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7, 8, press the key combination “Windows” + R.

In the program dialog box, enter “regedit” and click “OK”.

Along the system tree we head to “Explorer”:

A window should appear on the screen with such a list on the right side.

Today, in almost all operating systems of the Windows family, when attempting to access, say, the system registry or the Group Policy reactor, or even the ordinary “Control Panel,” you often encounter a message like “The operation was canceled due to restrictions in force for the computer.”

It is necessary to consider in more detail why such a situation arises, and what are the methods to combat it.

When is this warning common?

When considering the problem in detail, the two most common scenarios should be noted:

The operation was interrupted due to restrictions imposed on the computer by the administrator;
Problems arise due to the influence of viruses and malware.

Although there are other causes of errors, it is worth dwelling on the most common points and considering a method for correcting such a situation.

Possible explanation for the error

As a rule, both options, as can be noted, take place. In the first case, you won't have to do anything complicated. If access to certain functions or elements of the operating system is actually blocked specifically by the terminal administrator or network system administrator, everything is clear. You will need to contact them to remove the restrictions. In this case there is nothing wrong. However, when the user on his terminal is the administrator himself, and also if no one except him is registered in the system, the occurrence of a message about a canceled access attempt due to restrictions existing for the computer causes at least bewilderment. What to do in this case?

Why did this happen? This happened due to viruses interfering with the system. As you know, today they have become quite selective than before. Thus, viruses do not attack the entire system, but only some of its elements. As a result, the user faces a partial loss of administrative rights. Although, you can fight this too. It is worth noting that this is quite difficult to accomplish. It is necessary to consider ways to bring your own computer to normal condition.

Correction method: checking for malicious files

For example, consider the following situation: an operation to access specific services or system elements is canceled as a result of existing restrictions on the computer. This often refers to starting the system registry or other services. First you should use some powerful antivirus. Although, you can use the standard software that is installed on the system. However, if it has already missed a malicious file, it is difficult to guarantee that even with a detailed scan with the latest versions of the signature databases it will give a positive result. It is advisable to use independent programs. Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool and Dr. effectively cope with such tasks. Web Cure It! Although, other utilities will also work.

Using AVZ

It is worth noting that if the system displays a message that the operation was canceled due to restrictions existing on the computer, it is worthwhile to restore access to the required components. A rather interesting program called AVZ is designed for this. In it you need to select the troubleshooting wizard, which is called Troubleshooting Wizard. You should call “File” from the main menu and start scanning. Typically, at the end of the process, the results will indicate that five major services are blocked. These include the following:

System registry;
"Conductor";
“My Computer” section with the administrator menu;
"Task Manager";
command line.

Thus, depending on the degree of influence of the virus, the list may include other services, for example, “Control Panel”. Next, you should highlight all the items that have arisen and click on the problem fix button.

Removing system registry items

To prevent the notification “The operation was canceled due to restrictions in force for the computer...” from being displayed again, you should not prematurely stop “treating” the computer system. After all the actions done previously, you will need to perform one more operation. You need to go to the editor using the regedit command, which is entered into the Run menu or into the command line. Next, you need to go to the HOTKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE section, and in the Software subsection, gradually go down the tree until the Explorer line appears.

On the right side of the window you can see the entry NoViewOnDrive. It should be removed immediately. To perform such an operation, you should highlight the inscription and click on the Del button. As a result, the system will issue a security warning, which will be marked with a yellow triangle with an exclamation point. In this case there is nothing wrong. You will need to click on the “OK” button, close the editor and reboot the system. Then you can be sure that the restrictions have been lifted. After this, it is possible to use the Group Policy Editor, but it only duplicates entries in the system registry, which is much easier to work with.

In the end, it is worth noting that although the method of correcting such unpleasant situations may seem too abstruse to some people, of all the known methods this is the most effective. True, there are also users who try to download registration files (.reg) intended for automatic correction from “left” sites. Also, some people try to use automated programs. It is worth noting that this, as a rule, does not bring a serious result, since in the machine these utilities have a selective effect. In addition, they are susceptible to virus attack when downloaded to a computer terminal.

Today, in almost all “operating systems” of the Windows family, when you try to access, say, the system registry, the Group Policy reactor, or even the usual Control Panel, you can often encounter a message like “The operation was canceled due to restrictions in force for the computer.” Let's look at why this situation occurs and how to deal with it.

When is the most common warning “The operation was canceled due to computer restrictions”?

When considering the problem that has arisen, there are two most common options: perhaps the operation was interrupted due to restrictions imposed on this computer by the administrator, or perhaps it is the result of viruses and malware.

However, other versions of errors cannot be ruled out, but we will dwell on the most basic points and propose a method for correcting this situation.

Possible explanation for the error

Indeed, both options, as they say, have a place to be. The first case is quite simple. If access to some functions or components of the operating system is indeed blocked by the terminal administrator or network system administrator, then everything is clear. We will have to contact them so that the restrictions are lifted. There's nothing wrong with that.

But if the user on his own terminal is his own administrator, and no one else is registered or working in the system, a message appears stating that an attempt to access such and such was canceled due to restrictions in force for the computer, to put it mildly , is puzzling. How did this happen?

And this happened due to the interference of viruses in the work of the system, which today have become much more selective, so to speak, than before. By and large, they do not attack the entire system, but only its individual components, and as a result, we are faced with a partial loss of administrative rights. However, you can fight this. This, of course, is not easy to do, but now we will look at how to bring your computer back to normal.

Correction method: checking for viruses

So, we have a situation where any operation to access certain services or system components is canceled due to restrictions in force on the computer. Most often this concerns, as already mentioned, the launch of the system registry or other services.

The first thing you need to do is use some powerful antivirus. Of course, you can use the standard software installed on the system, but if it has already missed the virus, there is no guarantee that even with an in-depth scan with the latest signature databases it will produce results. It is best to use independent utilities (even portable versions are possible). Kaspersky Virus Removal Tool and Dr. cope best with such tasks. Web Cure It! However, any others will do.

Step two: using the AVZ utility

Now, if the system again issues a warning that the operation was canceled due to restrictions in force for the computer, we will begin to restore access to the necessary components.

To do this we need a very interesting AVZ utility. In it you need to select the troubleshooting wizard, the so-called Troubleshooting Wizard. Call “File” from the main menu and start scanning.

In theory, at the end of the process, the results will show that, as a rule, five main services are blocked. These are the system registry, Explorer, the “My Computer” section with the administrator menu, Task Manager and the command line. Naturally, depending on the degree of impact of the virus, the list may include other services, for example, the same Control Panel.

Now you need to select all the items that appear and click on the Fix selected issues button.

Removing system registry components

To prevent the message “The operation was canceled due to restrictions in force for the computer...” from appearing again, the “treatment” of the computer system cannot be completed at this point. One more operation remains to be done.

At the moment, access to previously blocked services has been restored. Of these, we are interested in the system registry. We go into the editor using the regedit command, entered in the “Run” menu or in the command line, after which we turn to the HOTKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE section and in the Software subsection we gradually go down the tree until the Explorer line appears.

In the window on the right there will be an incomprehensible entry NoViewOnDrive. It must be deleted immediately (select it and press the Del key). The system will issue a security warning, indicated by a yellow triangle with an exclamation point. It's OK. Click the “OK” button, close the editor and reboot the system. Only now can you be sure that all restrictions have been lifted. “Operation cancelled...” or messages like this will no longer bother you.

You can also use the Group Policy Editor, but it only duplicates entries in the system registry, which in this particular case is much easier to work with.

Bottom line

In conclusion, I would like to say that although the method of correcting such unpleasant situations may seem too abstruse to some users, nevertheless, of all the existing methods, this is the most effective.

Some, however, try to download registration files (.reg) from “left” sites for automatic correction or use some automated utilities. However, in most known cases, this does not bring a particularly noticeable result, since in the machine such programs act, to put it mildly, selectively and very carefully, excluding gross interference in the operation of the system (in our case, the system registry).

By the way, registration file templates downloaded from the Internet are also not suitable for every specific situation. In addition, they may be exposed to the virus when they are loaded onto a computer terminal.

The operation was canceled due to restrictions in force on this Win 10 computer - what does the error mean, what are the solutions? A similar message can be displayed in different situations - launching the control panel, command line console, regedit utility.

Let's start by considering the factors leading to such negative consequences in the Windows 7 8 10 operating system.

By the way, the text in the window may have a different wording - the administrator has prohibited editing the registry, the operation was canceled due to restrictions in force for the PC. But the essence is the same.

In almost every such case, it is recommended to contact the administrator, who is responsible for all troubles. In fact, the error occurs even with intervention from the installed software. It is capable of making adjustments to critical system parameters.

Think about it, maybe the defect began to appear after installing certain software or optimizers? Removing them may correct the error. But if it is not possible to find the reason, you should read the following instructions.

“The operation was canceled due to restrictions on the computer” - how to fix it?

The very first and most important action, without which the implementation of further steps is impossible, you need to log in to the system under the “Administrator” account. You can get the maximum level of access using the following Here methods.

Method No. 1 - use the Local Group Policy Editor

Works in all versions of Microsoft OS, except Home and Starter. If this is the OS you have, we recommend moving to the second solution.

• Call up the “Run” console window by pressing the key combination Win + R;
• Enter the command in the line:

• After 5-10 seconds, the built-in Windows utility will load. Pay attention to the left side with a list of folders. Open “User Configuration”, then “Admin Templates”, and inside we find “All parameters” and click on the item with the left mouse button:

• Let's look at the right side, where a large list of elements is displayed. The names are displayed in alphabetical order. But you will have to spend some time searching for the necessary objects - “Deny access to the control panel...”, etc. (see screenshot below):

• If the status is “Enabled”, you need to double-click to open the parameters window, select the “Disabled” option and save the changes:

We do the same with other detected prohibitions in Win 7 | Win 10.

• The operation was canceled due to restrictions in force for the computer - eliminating an error in the registry
• What if the previous approach is no longer relevant for your version of Windows, which means you have to take a more confusing path.

• Call the “Run” window using the combination Win + R;
• Enter the command:

• On the left you will see a list of directories; follow the path:

• On the right we find the NoControlPanel key, replace the key value from “1” (enabled) to “0” (disabled):

If you have nested subfolders in the Explorer folder, for example, DisallowRun, then you should look at the available keys on the right. They may contain links to exe files of applications, the opening of which triggers the error “The operation was canceled due to restrictions on this computer.” Just delete unnecessary entries and restart your PC.

If doubts arise, it’s better to ask a question in the comments, ask Google/Yandex.