Web Analytics


Disabling the run dialogue is very useful when protecting your computer from unwanted changes — especially by those who know what they’re doing! In this guide you’ll learn how to disable the run dialogue.

This guide is included as part of the Windows Guides security and administration series. Please visit the main page if you would like to learn why this guide may be useful.

Please Note: This guide involves the use of the Group Policy Editor, which is not included with Vista Home Premium/Basic or Windows XP Home. If this is the first time you are using the Group Policy Editor, read this guide.

Unfortunately I do not know how to do this tweak using only the registry. If you know how, please contact me.

Disabling the Run Dialogue

  1. Start Group Policy Editor (Start > Run > “gpedit.msc”)
  2. In the left panel, go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar
  3. In the right panel, enable Remove run from Start Menu

Disabling the Run Dialogue Disables the following actions:

  • Clicking Run on Start menu.
  • Pressing WINKEY+R for the run dialogue
  • Running a New Task command in Task Manager.
  • Entering A UNC path (\\\) in the IE address bar
  • Accessing ALL local drives and folders

About Rich

Rich is the owner and creator of Windows Guides; he spends his time breaking things on his PC so he can write how-to guides to fix them.

Free PC tips by email

Search Windows Guides




Comments

3 thoughts on “Disable Run Dialogue in Windows Vista/XP”

  1. Windows Guides Security and Ad says:

    […] Disable Run Dialogue […]

  2. Disable Shutdown in Windows Vi says:

    […] screen, and task manager. Users can still shutdown in the run dialogue #8212 learn how to disable the run dialogue, or keep […]

Comments are closed.


Computer tips in your inbox
Sign up for the Windows Guides newsletter to get PC tips and access to free Windows books (More details)

Subscribe now
Popular Guides

See which sites have been visited on your PC (even if private browsing mode is used)

Create a Windows 7 System Repair Disc

Best Free Anti-malware

Hibernate vs. Sleep vs. Shut-Down

i3, i5, and i7; Dual, Quad, Hexa Core Processors. How to they Differ?

Intel's Ivy Bridge Processor: new Features

Windows Guides on Facebook