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 Local Group Policy Editor (a tool built into Windows for managing system configurations). 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

Local Group Policy Editor is a tool built into Windows 11 Pro and Enterprise that lets you change system settings. Press Win+R to launch the Run dialog, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to bring up the editor window.

1. Press the Win+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

Local Group Policy Editor folders must be opened in a specific order to remove the compatibility tab from app properties. Expand Computer Configuration, open Administrative Templates, select Windows Components, and click Application Compatibility in the left sidebar.

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

Local Group Policy settings control how Windows features behave and appear on your computer. Double-click the Remove Program Compatibility Property Page setting in the policy list, choose the Enabled option in the window that pops up, and click OK to save your changes.

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.

"Not Configured" is the default setting, which means the tab is visible. "Enabled" means you are turning on the feature to *remove* the tab. "Disabled" means you are turning off the removal, so the tab would still show.

Step 4Close the Editor and Test

Windows 11 does not apply new group policy changes instantly until you refresh the system or reboot. Close the editor window and restart your computer, then right-click any app icon and open its Properties menu to verify that the compatibility tab is successfully removed.

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!

Warning: If you want the Compatibility tab back later, follow these steps again. In Step 3, choose "Not Configured" instead of "Enabled."

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

Registry Editor (a database storing low-level system settings) lets you remove the compatibility tab on Windows Home editions that lack the group policy tool. Editing the registry carries risks if you change the wrong keys, so follow the exact steps carefully to avoid system errors.

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. Open the Registry Editor, go to File › Export, and save a copy of your Registry.

Step 1Open the Registry Editor

Open the Registry Editor. It works similarly 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

Registry keys are organized like folders, and you must go to the right folder path to target the compatibility settings. Open the Registry Editor and click through HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AppCompat in the left sidebar to reach the correct destination for this tweak.

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_MACHINE to open it.
2. Then click on SOFTWARE to open it.
3. Keep opening Microsoft, then Windows.
4. Finally, click on AppCompat.

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

Registry values are individual settings stored inside folders that change how Windows features operate. Inside the AppCompat folder, right-click any empty space in the right pane, select New, choose DWORD (32-bit) Value, and name the new item DisableUAC to turn off the compatibility properties page.

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

Registry modifications require a full system reboot before Windows reads the new values into memory. Close the Registry Editor window, restart your computer normally, and check the properties of any application shortcut to confirm the compatibility tab is gone.

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

Removing the compatibility tab from app properties in Windows 11 declutters the properties window for standard users. You can achieve this using the Local Group Policy Editor on Pro editions or the Registry Editor on Home editions, and both methods require a system restart to take full effect.