Regedit - Enable or Disable

How to Enable or Disable Regedit in Vista and Windows 7​

   Information

This will allow you to enable or disable Registry Editor (aka: regedit) for all users in Windows 7 and Vista.

By default, regedit.exe is enabled.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

   Note

Even if you disable access to registry editor, you can still use registry editor in silent mode by using the /s switch. For example, if you type regedit /s filename.reg at the command prompt, you can import the filename.reg registry file into the registry, even though the Prevent access to registry editing tools policy is enabled. In order to prevent this, make sure you select Yes for Disable regedit from running silently? (See step below).

   Tip

The Registry Editor EXE file is located at: C:\Windows\regedit.exe

   Warning

If you did not disable regedit.exe, then it may have been done by some kind of malware or spyware. You should do a complete scan of your computer for a virus and other malware to be safe.

EXAMPLE: Error Message
NOTE: You get this when you try to run Regedit.exe or a REG file when set to disabled.

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OPTION ONE

Enable or Disable Regedit Using a VBS File Download

NOTE: This VBS script will toggle Registry Editor to be enabled or disabled when runned. If regedit was disabled before running the VBS script, then it will be enabled automatically. If regedit was enabled before running the VBS script, then it will be disabled automatically

1. Click on the Download button below to download the .vbs file below.​

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Enable-Disable_regedit.vbs​

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2. Click on Save, and save the .vbs file to your desktop.​

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3. Open an elevated command prompt.​

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4. In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below and press Enter. (see screenshot below)​

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cd /d %userprofile%\desktop​

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5. In the elevated command prompt, copy and paste the command below and press Enter. (see screenshot above)​

wscript.exe Enable-Disable_regedit.vbs​

6. Click on OK. (see screenshots below)​

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7. Close the elevated command prompt window.​

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OPTION TWO

To Disable Regedit Using a REG File Download

WARNING: Once you disable regedit, you will not be able to enable regedit again through the registry or from a REG file. See OPTION ONE or OPTION FOUR to be able to enable regedit again.

Disable regedit from running silently?​

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1. To Disable Regedit and Allow Silent Mode ​

NOTE: See NOTE at the top about Silent Mode.​

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A) Click the download button below to download the file below.​

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Disable_Registry_No_Silently.reg​

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B) Go to step 3.​

2. To Disable Regedit and Prevent Silent Mode​

NOTE: See NOTE at the top about Silent Mode.​

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A) Click the download button below to download the file below.​

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Disable_Registry_Yes_Silently.reg​

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3. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the Desktop.​

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4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.​

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5. Click on Run, Continue (UAC-Vista) or Yes (UAC-Windows 7), Yes, and then OK when prompted.​

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6. When done, you can delete the .reg file (on Desktop).​

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OPTION THREE

To Manually Disable Regedit Using Registry Editor

WARNING: Once you disable regedit and close the registry, you will not be able to enable regedit again through the registry or from a REG file. See OPTION ONE or OPTION FOUR to be able to enable regedit again.

1. Open the Start Menu, then type regedit and press Enter.​

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2. If prompted by UAC, click on Continue (Vista)or Yes (Windows 7).​

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3. In regedit, navigate to the location below. (See screenshot below step 5)​

NOTE: If you do not have System, right click on Polices, click on New and Key, then type System and press Enter.​

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HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System​

4. To Disable Regedit ​

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A) In the right pane, right click on a empty area and click on New and DWORD (32-bit) Value. Type DisableRegistryTools and press Enter. (See screenshot below step 4)​

5. Right click on DisableRegistryTools and click on Modify. (See screenshot below)​

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Disable regedit from running silently?​

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6. To Disable Regedit and Allow Silent Mode ​

NOTE: See NOTE at the top about Silent Mode.​

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A) Type 1 and click on OK. (See screenshot below step 7A)​

7. To Disable Regedit and Prevent Silent Mode ​

NOTE: See NOTE at the top about Silent Mode.​

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A) Type 2 and click on OK.​

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8. Close regedit.​

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OPTION FOUR

Enable or Disable Regedit Using Local Group Policy Editor

1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.​

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2. In the left pane, click on User Configuration, Administrative Templates, and System. (See screenshot below)​

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3. In the right pane, right click on Prevent access to registry editing tools and click on Properties. (See screenshot above)​

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4. To Enable Registry Editor​

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A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured and click on OK. (See screenshot below 5D)​

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B) Go to step 6.​

5. To Disable Regestry Editor​

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A) Select (dot) Enabled. (See screenshot below 5D)​

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Disable regedit from running silently?​

NOTE: See NOTE at the top about Silent Mode.​

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B) To Allow Silent Mode - Select No. (See screenshot below 5D)​

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C) To Prevent Silent Mode - Select Yes. (See screenshot below 5D)​

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D) Click on OK. (See screenshot below)​

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6. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window. Your done​

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That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Fix a Slow Scan in a Registry Cleaner Program in 64 bit Vista
• How to Add or Remove Registry Editor from the Vista Control Panel
• How to Use the Registry Editor in Vista and other Techniques
• How to Find Text in the Vista Registry Editor - Regedit
• How to Backup and Restore the Registry in Windows 7 and Vista
• How to Enable or Disable the Command Prompt in Vista and Windows 7

 

[treaclewader]

I cannot open system restore normally as it opens in noepad ofcourse, and system restore from boot shows no restore points available. i dont know why that is.

I had previously tried the exefix from another website but could not gain access to the regedit, and running the file returns you do not have permission to edit which then lead me to this forum.

I will try exefix_cu.reg and Merge later on at home but i am doubtfull. is it as simple as save to desktop right click and merge?

Anyway many thanks for the help so far

 

[Brink]

Treaclewader,

Are you logged into a administrator's account while doing this tutorial?

When you right click on the C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe file, do you see the Run as administrator option from there?

If you do, then click on it and just follow the rest of the instructions in the tutorial.


It sounds as though you may have been infected with some form of malware. I would recommend that you also run a very thorough antivirus and spyware scane to help make sure that your computer is clean.

 

[treaclewader]

I know the exe fixes would work, but it just wont let me run them because it says editing the registy has been disabled

I am in my only user account which is the admin, but still there is no option to run cmd as admin.

In C:\Windows\System32\COMMAND.COM on properties / security there is a user called trustedInstaller which had all the access rights which the other users didnt. is that normal??

I really dont know what else to do exept wipe the system i did a full scan of C drive which removed a trojan however, but i cannot get back on nortons to see what it was called as it is in notepad.....

Anymore ideas :|

 

[treaclewader]

I think the reason iam not seeing run as admin option is because ive messed up my .exe file type maybe?? even if i could see the option then i still would not be able to do anything as it would open with notepad

 

[Brink]

Trealcewader,

TrustedInstaller is the normal default owner of the C:\Windows\System32\cmd.exe file if that is what you meant.

I would say that you were pretty much stuck with both the command prompt and regedit disabled, not having any restore points. The only option I see left is to format the hard drive and install a fresh clean copy of Vista.

That was one nasty trojan you picked up.

 

[treaclewader]

The thing is everything was working absolutely fine until i changed all my exe files while using powerISO so could it of been that nasty? Issit a virus' fault that my regedit is disabled? and i know i have restore points, there just not showing on boot option. :@ , oh well iam annoyed, many thanks for the help

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Treaclewader. I cannot guarantee that it was a virus, but it sure seems like one with the amount of damage done. I'm sorry it ended in having to reinstall to fix your computer.

Shawn

 

[alexs05]

Hi, ran into this problem today after trying to open Task Manager...after letting my g/f's little brothers on here, d'oh.


I tried opening TM, gives me 'Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator'
Ok, Googled some things, brings me to the registry problem

Tried Method #2, preventing silent mode
Saved to desktop -> merged -> run -> 'Registry editing ...' prompt -> OK

Opened Start menu -> regedit -> enter -> 'Registry editing ...' prompt -> OK

I can get into the CMD prompt via running as administrator, but I'm still missing that whole 'Manual Way' section, yes?

 

[mansrm81]

Scan your computer for viruses cause some can disable things.

 

[Brink]

Hi, ran into this problem today after trying to open Task Manager...after letting my g/f's little brothers on here, d'oh.


I tried opening TM, gives me 'Task Manager has been disabled by your administrator'
Ok, Googled some things, brings me to the registry problem

Tried Method #2, preventing silent mode
Saved to desktop -> merged -> run -> 'Registry editing ...' prompt -> OK

Opened Start menu -> regedit -> enter -> 'Registry editing ...' prompt -> OK

I can get into the CMD prompt via running as administrator, but I'm still missing that whole 'Manual Way' section, yes?

Hello Alexs, and welcome to Vista Forums.

In addition to Mansrm81's suggestion, METHOD THREE in the tutorial should be able to enable regedit again since you still have access to a elevated command prompt.

Shawn

 

[mottoni]

Hi! I really tried the tutorial, but i received the message: can not find script file "wscript.exe reg_enable.vbs"

My pc was with 412 error and now i could fix most of them, but 22 still persist. What can i do?

I hope you can help me,
Mari

 

[Brink]

Hello Mari, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Double check to make sure that you had downloaded and saved reg_enable.vbs to your desktop from Step 1 in METHOD THREE first.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[mottoni]

Hello Shawn,

I've formatted de pc e now everything is ok. The note had many other problems, so i decided to do it, but thanks anyway.

Mari

 

[Brink]

You're welcome Mari. I'm happy to hear that you got it sorted, but sorry it took a clean install to do so. Thank you for posting back.

 

[jsam4g]

brink, please help me.. I tried all the suggestions for re-enabling my registry. I dont have a virus and the registry was disabled by me. When I run the vbscript fix i get an error that says invalid root key.

 

[Brink]

Hello Jsam, and welcome to Vista Forums.

Try the steps one more time double checking to make sure that mistake may have been made.

If not, then you could do a system restore at boot using a restore point dated before you disabled Regedit.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[jsam4g]

Thanks for your help, and thank you for responding so quickly! I'm not a patient person therefore I went with your advice to run System Restore. I may have been making a mistake when trying to enable regedit and was getting frustrated Thanks again :D

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.

 

[105tommy105]

You legend!!

 

[TChak]

Hi Brink,

This is a really great tutorial!

But, my cousin's computer is vista home premium and both command prompt and regedit are disabled. So, how do I enable regedit since I cant use command prompt?