Restrict Access to Windows 11 Control Panel

This post shows students and new users how to restrict access to the Control Panel and Systems Settings pane in Windows 11.

The new System Settings panel was introduced with Windows 10 and has since been more integrated with Windows to replace the old Control Panel.

On the other hand, the Windows Control Panel is still used to make additional advanced settings unavailable in the new System Settings. Together, both can change and control how Windows 11 functions and what changes are made and applied to change Windows’s behavior.

Because these settings are important to how Windows 11 functions, you may want to restrict access to them, making sure that no one can go and make changes that could render Windows inoperable.

When the System Settings is disabled, it flashes and closes when someone attempts to open it. The Control Panel will display a message that the operation has been canceled due to restrictions.

To get started with disabling the System Settings and the Control Panel, follow the steps below:

How to restrict access to System Settings and Control Panel

You may want to restrict access because the System Settings and Control Panel allows system-wide changes. You can do that using the steps below:

Go to the Start menu, search for Registry Editor, and select the app to open, as highlighted in the image below.

When the registry editor app opens, navigate to the key path below:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies

Copy and paste the paths above into the Registry Editor navigation box and press Enter to go directly to the location.

Then, create a new Explorer key below the Policies key if it does not already exist. Right-click Policies to create the new Explorer key and select New ==> New == Key.

Type in Explorer. Next, right-click the newly created Explorer key and New ==> DWORD (32-bit) Value to create a new DWORD data.

Next, name the DWORD (32-bit) Value data NoControlPanel.

After creating the new DWORD Value data, double-click to open it, then change the data value to 1, as shown below.

Click OK, apply your changes, and exit.

Do this for both registry key paths above.

How to Disable Control Panel and Settings from Group Policy Editor

Another way to disable the Windows Control Panel is via GPO. Use Windows search and search for Edit group policy.

Then Navigate to User Configuration ==> Administrative Templates ==> Control Panel.

Double click and open Prohibit access to Control Panel and PC settings, then choose to enable it.

That should do it! When finished, close the policy editor, and you’re done

Conclusion:

• Restricting access to the System Settings and Control Panel can enhance security and prevent unintended system changes.
• Utilizing the Registry Editor provides a direct method for controlling access at the user level.
• The Group Policy Editor offers an alternative approach, particularly valuable in organizational settings or for advanced users.
• Following these steps can help ensure that only authorized individuals can modify important system settings in Windows 11.
• Regularly review access permissions to maintain optimal system security and functionality.