How to Add or Remove Compatibility tab in App Properties in Windows 11

How to Remove the Compatibility Tab Using Group Policy Editor (for Pro, Enterprise, and Education Editions)

If you have Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, or Education, you can use a tool called the Local Group Policy Editor. This tool lets you change how Windows works. We can use it to hide the Compatibility tab for all apps.

Step 1Open the Local Group Policy Editor

First, let’s open this tool. Opening this tool involves typing a command.

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard. This opens the Run box.
2. In the box, type gpedit.msc and press Enter or click OK.
3. If a User Account Control (UAC) window asks for permission, click Yes.

Step 2Find the Right Setting

To hide the Compatibility tab in app properties using the Local Group Policy Editor, you need to find the specific setting that controls it. Navigate through Computer Configuration, then Administrative Templates, followed by Windows Components, and finally Application Compatibility.

1. In the left side of the Local Group Policy Editor, click on Computer Configuration.
2. Under that, click on Administrative Templates.
3. Next, click on Windows Components.
4. Scroll down and click on Application Compatibility.
5. On the right side, look for a setting called “Remove Program Compatibility Property Page”.

Step 3Set the Policy to Remove the Tab

To remove the Compatibility tab, you need to set the correct policy within the Local Group Policy Editor. Double-click on the ‘Remove Program Compatibility Property Page’ setting and choose ‘Enabled’ to hide the tab, then click OK to save your change.

1. Double-click on “Remove Program Compatibility Property Page”. A new window will open.
2. You will see three choices: “Not Configured,” “Enabled,” and “Disabled.” To remove the Compatibility tab, select Enabled.
3. Click OK at the bottom to save your change.

Step 4Close the Editor and Test

After making changes in the Local Group Policy Editor, close the window and 🔄 restart your computer or sign out and back in to see the effect. This ensures Windows applies the new setting, and you can then test by checking the Properties of any app shortcut to confirm the Compatibility tab is gone.

1. Close the Local Group Policy Editor.
2. To see the change, you might need to 🔄 restart your computer or sign out and sign back in. Sometimes Windows applies changes right away, but restarting makes sure.
3. After restarting or signing back in, find any program or app shortcut. 🖱️ Right-click on it and choose Properties. The Compatibility tab should be gone!

How to Remove the Compatibility Tab Using the Registry Editor (for All Windows Editions)

If your Windows edition doesn’t include the Local Group Policy Editor, you can remove the Compatibility tab using the Windows Registry Editor. Be very careful when editing the Registry, as incorrect changes can cause serious problems with your Windows system.

Editing the Windows Registry incorrectly can cause serious issues with Windows, and you might need to reinstall Windows. Back up your Registry before you start. To back up your Registry, open the Registry Editor, go to File > Export, and save a copy of your Registry.

Step 1Open the Registry Editor

Let’s open the Registry Editor. It’s similar to opening the Group Policy Editor.

1. Press the Windows key + R on your keyboard to open the Run box.
2. Type regedit and press Enter or click OK.
3. If a User Account Control (UAC) window asks for permission, click Yes.

Step 2Go to the Correct Registry Location

To hide the Compatibility tab using the Registry Editor, you must navigate to the correct location. Open the Registry Editor and go to the specific path: 🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppCompat.copy

In the Registry Editor, go to this path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppCompat

Here’s how to find it:

1. Click on 🗝️HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINEcopy to open it.
2. Then click on SOFTWARE to open it.
3. Keep opening Microsoft, then Windows.
4. Finally, click on AppCompat.

Tip: If you don’t see an “AppCompat” folder under “Windows,” you may need to create it. 🖱️ Right-click on the “Windows” folder, select New > Key, and name it AppCompat.

Step 3Create or Change the Value to Remove the Tab

Within the ‘AppCompat’ folder in the Registry Editor, you need to create a new value to remove the Compatibility tab. Right-click in the right pane, select ‘New’, then ‘DWORD (32-bit) Value’, and name it exactly DisableUAC.

1. With the AppCompat folder selected on the left, look at the right side.
2. 🖱️ Right-click on an empty space on the right side.
3. In the menu that appears, select New, then click on DWORD (32-bit) Value.
4. Name this new value exactly DisableUAC.
5. Now, double-click on the new DisableUAC value you just created.
6. In the “Value data” box, type 1.
7. Make sure “Base” is set to Hexadecimal.
8. Click OK.

Explanation: Setting the DisableUAC value to 1 tells Windows to hide the program compatibility property page (the tab). If you want the tab to show again, change this value to 0 or delete the DisableUAC value.

Step 4Close the Registry Editor and Restart

After creating the DisableUAC value in the Registry Editor, close the editor and 🔄 restart your computer for the changes to take effect. Once restarted, test by right-clicking an application and checking its Properties to confirm the Compatibility tab is no longer visible.

1. Close the Registry Editor window.
2. You must restart your computer for this change to take effect.
3. After your computer restarts, test it. 🖱️ Right-click on any application and select “Properties.” The Compatibility tab should be gone.

Tip: If you ever want the Compatibility tab back, go back to the same Registry location (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppCompat). 🖱️ Right-click on DisableUAC, select Delete, and confirm. Then, 🔄 restart your PC.

Summary

You can remove the Compatibility tab from app properties in Windows 11 to simplify the Properties window. Windows 11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education users can use the Local Group Policy Editor, while all Windows editions can use the Registry Editor with caution. Both methods require a computer restart to see the changes.