Enable / Disable Active Desktop from Start/Settings


The Active Desktop accessible via Start/Settings can be disabled. This Windows NT registry hack
disables access via Explorer but does not disable the same functionality
accessible by right-clicking the desktop. Cut and paste the following script
into noactive.reg file and run it.

REGEDIT4
BLANK
LINE GOES HERE

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
“NoSetActiveDesktop”=dword:40

BLANK LINE GOES
HERE

See .REG files for background information on
.REG files.

The following tweak prevents disabling via desktop properties:

REGEDIT4
BLANK
LINE GOES HERE

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
“ForceActiveDesktopOn”=dword:1

BLANK LINE GOES
HERE

Other active desktop values installed via IE, include :


  • NoFavoritesMenu : Removes the Favorites folder from
    the Start menu
  • NoFolderOptions : Removes the Folder Options menu
    item from the Settings menu
  • NoRecentDocsHistory : Removes Documents History
  • NoRecentDocsMenu : Removes the Documents command
    from the Start menu
IE installs the Windows Desktop Update component.
See How to Add or Remove Windows Desktop Update for more
information including the Active Desktop component.

About The Author

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Scroll to Top