How to disable network access to windows registry? Editing the Windows registry can sometimes open up the doors for new tricks. It can also lead the computer to a system failure. A registry is a sensitive set of instructions on the computer.
Messing up the Registry is not always good.
There are several methods for editing or making changes in the Windows registry. One should not try and edit registry values without knowing the proper technique. You should attempt registry editing if you are comfortable in navigating inside Windows.
You can find a lot of cool tricks or registry hacks over the internet. For instance, you get to customize the taskbar, delete Cortana, change the font in CMD, and some more cool ones.
What is Registry in Windows?
Windows registry stores the instructions for the operating system, its software, and programs. These instructions create the interactions between the programs and hardware.
Whenever we install new software in windows, it requires instructions to use the hardware and other programs to run inside the operating system. Registry creates the instruction and file references to create interaction among hardware, programs, and software.
The Operating System (Windows) also runs on the instruction directed by the Registry. So any significant change to the Windows operating system will require you to change the registry value.
Most people face difficulties with windows registry but they don’t do it themselves. They need to call an expert to do it and it cost money. However, if you know how to disable network access to windows registry, you can easily do it without any hassle. Before that, let’s why do you need to disable network access.
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Why Would Someone Disable Network Access to Windows Registry?
You don’t want any change in the registry values when you are sharing your computer with others. To eradicate the visibility of the Registry to other users, you need to disable the access. It will help prevent Registry snooping.
It will prevent someone from changing the Registry from your networks. It will also block remote registry editing. We know that messing with the Windows registry is a sensitive issue. Many users want to stop others from entering the Registry and making changes.
Apart from you, some other from your household may use your computer. So, if you do not want any accidental deletion of Registry values, you should block access to the editor.
You have to sign in with an Administrative account to block other users from using Registry Editor. You can also convert your regular account to an Administrative account if you want. This registry hack will allow only the network administrator to control the registry changes.
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How to Convert to an Administrative Account?
As you are the computer administrator, you target to remove access from all other users.
So you must sign in as Administrator. You also can covert the regular account into an Administrative budget.
- Go to Windows settings
- Click on the accounts
- Now click on the Family & Other users from the left menu
- Click on the account that you want to make Administrator. Click on the “Change Account Type” and select the type as Administrator
If you’re going to convert the Administrator account to a regular one again, change the account type to a local account.
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Backup the Registry Before Editing
Before accessing Windows registry editing, create a backup. You never know when there will be a complication. Or you can not determine that you will not screw up during the process. That is why you need a registry Backup.
When you screw up, one thing you will be looking for, which is getting back to the initial state. Backup can benefit in many ways. For example, you edited the registry values, and you are getting some system errors or failures. Now you are in a problematic state and genuinely want to get back to that non-problematic state.
It is the situation where the Backup becomes the saviour. So take the smart move and Backup the Registry before editing.
You can also create a restore point if you want to get help on a total system failure.
How to Disable Network Access to Windows Registry?
Today, we will see the two easy methods for editing the Registry on your Windows machine. You might be thinking about how to access the Windows registry. Well, there are several methods. But we are focusing on two specific ones to disable access to the registry editor.
Method 1: Using Registry Editor
For accessing the Windows registry, you first need to access the registry editor. You can type Regedit in Windows search to access the built-in registry editor.
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Another method is the Run command. Press Windows+R. Now on the popup window, type Regedit and then run.
You are now in the Registry Editor.
Next, you need to find the registry key that contains network access to the Windows registry. If you double-click on the options, they will expand.
- Double click on the HKEY_CURRENT_USER
- Find SOFTWARE and expand it
- Then with the same process, reach to Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System.
- Select the System key. Now you need to create a new registry entry. To do that, click on the blank space and Click New. Then select DWORD (32-bit) Value
- Now rename the registry key to DisableRegistryTools and press enter
- Double click on the DisableRegistryTools and change the value data to 1
Once you have finished this process, it will disable any access to the Registry Editor by local users. It will also disable the regedit option on the Run Comand.
A question may arise in your mind, what if you need to edit registry value for another purpose?
In that case, you have to regain access to the Registry as an Administrator. Then delete the additional registry file you created. It will enable you to edit the registry value again.
Method 2: Group Policy Editor
If the above method does not work out for you, there is another. This method is primarily for Windows 10 Home users. The Registry editor may not work for the Home users.
- Press Windows+R
- In the popup Run window, type “gpedit.msc” and press enter
- Now you are inside the Local Group Policy Editor. Now you need to get to the System key. Go to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System
- Now find Prevent Access To Registry Editing Tools
- Select Enable from the top left corner and press OK
This method will also restrict all the users from accessing your registry files.
Bottom Line
We do not promote making changes in the Registry. As the registry values are a sensitive set of instructions, one might end up in a big system failure.
Still, if you want to do so, follow the steps carefully to change the Registry. There should not be any complications if you do it properly. And do not forget about the Backup.
We tried to shed some light on how to disable network access to Windows registry. These two methods are universal for most of the Windows machines out there to disable the Windows registry.
