The new System Settings panel was introduced with Windows 10 and since being more integrated with Windows to replace the old Control Panel. Windows Control Panel on the other hand is still used to make additional advanced settings that are not available in the new System Settings. Both use together can change and control how Windows 11 functions and what changes are made and applied to change Windows 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 quickly 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
Because the System Settings and Control Panel allows for system-wide changes, you may want to disable access to them. You can do that using the steps below: Go to the Start menu and 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: You can also 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 key called Explorer below the Policies key if not already exist. To create the new Explorer key, right-click Policies 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 and 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 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: This post showed you how to disable access to the Control Panel and System Settings. If you find any error above, please use the comment form below to report.
