Understanding how to hide specific Control Panel items in Windows 10/11 allows IT teams to maintain control, security, and consistency across devices. Whether you’re working in a corporate setting, managing public computers, or handling client systems as a Managed Service Provider (MSP), hiding specific Control Panel items ensures that unauthorized users cannot tamper with essential settings.
In this guide to restricting Control Panel access, you’ll learn how to disable Control Panel items with our guide on how to remove Control Panel settings without third-party tools.
Step-by-step guide to hide settings in Control Panel
Before you get started with removing Control Panel items on Windows devices, you will need administrator-level access to make these changes. The best ways to restrict Control Panel access are using Group Policy and Windows Registry.
Keep in mind that Microsoft’s native tool, Local Group Policy Editor, is only available on Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions. If your version of Windows is outside of these, you will need to use the Registry Editor method.
Windows Group Policy to hide Control Panel items
- Open the Run command by pressing “Win + R”.
- Go to User Configurations > Administrative Templates > Control Panel.
- Navigate to the “Hide specified Control Panel items” policy.
- Click on Enabled, and then tap on the Show button under “Options”.
- Input the canonical names of Control Panel items that you want to hide. Typically, canonical names are the same as the icons in the Control Panel icons view. Some examples are “Microsoft.NetworkAndSharingCenter” or “Microsoft.WindowsUpdate”. If the icon has (32-bit) in the canonical name, you will have to omit this.
- Enforce your new group policy across multiple devices by deploying the Group Policy to relevant user groups via Active Directory.
Hide Control Panel sections using Windows Registry
- Go to the Explorer key and then click on “DisallowCpl DWORD”.
- In some cases, you might not have a “DisallowCpl DWORD”. You will have to create one by right-clicking an empty spot on the Explorer Key. Next, click on the “DWORD (32-bit)” and name this as “DisallowCpl”.
- Type “1” to hide the Control Panel items or “0” to turn this feature off.
- Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowCpl
- Go to the right pane of the DisallowCpl key.
- Type the canonical name of the Control Panel items you need to restrict and then apply these changes.
Using third-party tools
Third-party tools simplify Control Panel restrictions for IT experts who manage larger environments. To fully customize your Control Panel, you can rely on endpoint management tools, such as NinjaOne, to streamline Windows device management and gain comprehensive visibility and control over all your systems.
How to reverse or modify hidden Control Panel items
Should you need to enable any hidden control panel items, you can follow these steps:
Renabling Control Panel using Group Policy modifications
- Click Win + R, then Enter “gpedit.msc” into the dialogue box.
- Navigate to User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Control Panel.
- Locate and double-click the “Hide specified Control Panel items” policy.
- Select Disabled or edit the list of hidden items under the Show button.
- Update settings using the “gpupdate /force” command on targeted machines.
Renabling Control Panel using Registration modifications
- Click Win + R, then Enter “regedit” into the dialogue box.
- Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
- Delete or edit the “DisallowCpl” and any associated keys to re-enable the required Control Panel items.
- Restart the computer to apply changes.
Why hide Control Panel items?
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Security
Disabling Control Panel items prevents users from tampering with sensitive network settings, Windows firewalls, or antivirus configurations.
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Compliance
Remove Control Panel items in Windows to restrict access to settings to comply with industry regulations and organizational policies.
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Unauthorized changes
IT administrators can reduce the risk of users accidentally misconfiguring system settings through the Control Panel.
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Troubleshooting common issues
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Restriction policies are not applied
Confirm the correct Group Policy Object (GPO) is assigned to the intended user or device group. Run “gpresult /h report.html” to diagnose policy issues.
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Registry edits ineffective
Double-check registry paths and key names for accuracy. Not having the correct permission levels assigned to the registry folders can also lead to problems.
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Conflict with third-party tools
Using third-party applications can lead to multiple policies existing simultaneously. This can lead to policies being overwritten or duplicated. This can cause issues, so make sure there are no conflicts with your other tools. Opt for third-party providers who offer seamless integration.
Best practices for managing Control Panel restrictions
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Ensure policies are applied correctly
Test any changes you’ve made to hide settings in the Control Panel. Always verify that any policies have been applied by testing them immediately after deployment.
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Test changes before organization-wide deployment
Before enforcing restrictions on all devices, deploy policies to a small batch of machines to see how the changes impact these systems. This practice helps prevent widespread disruptions caused by Control Panel misconfigurations.
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Review and update restrictions
Regularly review hidden Control Panel items to determine their continued relevance. Since Microsoft is shifting functionalities from the Control Panel to the Settings app, some restrictions may no longer be necessary.
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Use cases for hiding control panel items
Corporate and enterprise environments
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Scalability
IT teams that manage large numbers of endpoint devices can restrict access to sensitive settings at scale.
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Prevent unauthorized changes
Employees can accidentally modify critical system settings, leading to network disruptions or security vulnerabilities.
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Maintain compliance
Many industries require devices to adhere to strict compliance standards. Limiting access helps enforce these requirements.
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Simplify troubleshooting
Standardized configurations reduce the complexity of diagnosing and resolving IT issues.
Public and shared computers
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Enhanced security
For IT professionals managing environments like libraries or digital kiosks that require strict lockdown measures, hiding Control Panel items prevents users from accessing or altering settings.
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Preserve resources
Hiding Control Panel items reduce misconfigurations across shared systems, reducing downtime.
MSPs
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Enforce client policies
MSPs can customize Control Panel access according to each client’s needs and preferences.
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Streamline remote monitoring and support
Having consistent Control Panel access across an IT environment makes it easier to keep track of devices and troubleshoot issues.
How Windows organizes Control Panel items
Windows Control Panel is divided into various categories that allow users to access and modify aspects of their computer’s functionality. Each category creates a structure that allows users to find options. However, direct user access to these options isn’t always desirable for IT admins.
Differences between the Control Panel and the Settings app
Starting with Windows 10, Microsoft has gradually transitioned many configuration options from the traditional Control Panel to the Settings app. Both serve the same purpose, but the Settings app offers a more modern, user-friendly user experience. The Settings app integrates with new Windows functionality, but not all legacy options have been migrated away from the Control Panel. This means that IT admins should also account for the Setting app when implementing restrictions.
Manage Windows endpoint devices with ease
Restricting Control Panel access protects devices against tampering and compliance risks. Whether you’re managing hundreds of endpoints in a large enterprise or working in a small dynamic environment, choosing the right approach can help. The Local Group Policy Editor is available for Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions, but users with other Windows versions will need to rely on the Registry Editor. For large-scale management, users should consider relying on third-party applications like NinjaOne.
NinjaOne Windows Endpoint Management software makes it easier for users to manage their Windows workstations, laptops, virtual machines, and servers. With powerful automation tools, NinjaOne streamlines processes, enabling IT administrators to focus on more strategic projects. NinjaOne also centralizes all the tools you need to monitor, manage, patch, and secure your Windows devices, eliminating time wasted switching between different tools. See NinjaOne’s platform in action today. Get started with a 14-day free trial or watch a demo.
