How to Force Internet Explorer to Always Have the Menu Bar Turned On or Off by Default
Information
This will show you how to enable or disable having the Menu bar to always be turned on or off by default in Internet Explorer for all users in Windows 7 and Vista. For example, if you force it always on, then it cannot be turned off using the normal method (Option Two at link). Same if you force it always off, then it cannot be turned on using the normal method (Option Two at link).
You will need to be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.
Note
If you just wanted to turn the Menu bar on or off in IE8 or IE9, then see the tutorial link below instead.
EXAMPLE: Internet Explorer Menu Bar Always On or Off, and Default NOTE:Notice that the Menu bar option is no longer available in the IE toolbar menu when you have it set to always be on or off.
OPTION ONE
Using a REG File Download
1. To Force Internet Explorer Menu Bar to be Always On
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Force_IE_Menu_Bar_Always_On.reg
B) Go to step 4.
2. To Force Internet Explorer Menu Bar to be Always Off
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Force_IE_Menu_Bar_Always_Off.reg
B) Go to step 4.
3. To Allow Internet Explorer Menu Bar to be Turned On or Off by Users NOTE:This is the default setting.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Allow_IE_Menu_Bar_to_be_Turned_On_or_Off.reg
4. Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.
5. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.
6. Click on Run, Continue (UAC-Vista) or Yes (UAC-Windows 7), Yes, and OK when prompted.
7. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to apply.
8. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.
2. In the left pane, click on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and Internet Explorer. (see screenshot below)
3. In the right pane, right click on Turn on menu bar by default and click on Edit. (see screenshot above)
4. To Force Internet Explorer Menu Bar to be Always On
A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (see screenshot below step 7)
B) Go to step 7.
5. To Force Internet Explorer Menu Bar to be Always Off
A) Select (dot) Disabled. (see screenshot below step 7)
B) Go to step 7.
6. To Allow Internet Explorer Menu Bar to be Turned On or Off by Users NOTE:This is the default setting.
A) Select (dot) Not Configured. (see screenshot below step 7)
7. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)
8. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.
9. If open, close and reopen Internet Explorer to apply.
Computer type PC/Desktop System Manufacturer/Model Number Compaq sr5410f case OS Windows 7 Pro 64 SP1 CPU AMD X2 4450E @ 2.3 ghz Motherboard Biostar MCP6P M2+ Memory 4.0 g Graphics Card Nvidia GeForce 9600 GT , 512mb Sound Card onboard Monitor(s) Displays auria eq2367 Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080
Keyboard logitech wave cordless Mouse logitech LX8 cordless laser mouse PSU 250 watts Case Compaq Cooling couple fans Hard Drives 1 tb Hitachi HDT721010SLA scsi, 500 gb external Internet Speed comcast hi speed 19 dn 8 up Antivirus Microsoft Security Essentials Browser IE10 Other Info Laptop specs: HP g7-1365dx /
CPU: AMD A6-3420M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics /
RAM: Crucial 8Gb (2x4Gb) /
SSD: Crucial M4-CT128M4SSD2 ATA Device/ FW 000F /
GFX: AMD Radeon HD 6520G /
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
System Manufacturer/Model Number Acer Aspire 5750 OS Windows 7 Home Premium 64bit CPU Intel Core i3-2310M Motherboard Acer OEM Memory 8GB Graphics Card Intel HD3000 Screen Resolution 1366x768
Computer type PC/Desktop System Manufacturer/Model Number Compaq sr5410f case OS Windows 7 Pro 64 SP1 CPU AMD X2 4450E @ 2.3 ghz Motherboard Biostar MCP6P M2+ Memory 4.0 g Graphics Card Nvidia GeForce 9600 GT , 512mb Sound Card onboard Monitor(s) Displays auria eq2367 Screen Resolution 1920 x 1080
Keyboard logitech wave cordless Mouse logitech LX8 cordless laser mouse PSU 250 watts Case Compaq Cooling couple fans Hard Drives 1 tb Hitachi HDT721010SLA scsi, 500 gb external Internet Speed comcast hi speed 19 dn 8 up Antivirus Microsoft Security Essentials Browser IE10 Other Info Laptop specs: HP g7-1365dx /
CPU: AMD A6-3420M APU with Radeon(tm) HD Graphics /
RAM: Crucial 8Gb (2x4Gb) /
SSD: Crucial M4-CT128M4SSD2 ATA Device/ FW 000F /
GFX: AMD Radeon HD 6520G /
OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
This turned up first on a quick search. I hate it when Microsoft does this. I had IE8 show the menu by default (which could be achieved using the GUI), now the setting has gone to registry/group policy. I updated my domain policy with this setting, but it doesn't seem to be working by setting the relevant domain policy, I had to manually run the regfile.
In any case thanks very much, IE9 seems to be quite nice by the way, acid 3 score =95
Thank's Brink I prefer using the menu bar, Now I am trying to figure out how to show all text labels, show selective text, show icons only when Right clicking on the menu bar & was availible under customize in IE 8
PS: I also found some hepful tips in other threads yesterday - example, Beautyoftheweb thread, A IE 9 beta tut section would be a good Idea if there is a need for it
Last edited by IownAmoneyPit; 16 Sep 2010 at 01:36 PM..
Computer type PC/Desktop System Manufacturer/Model Number My own abomination OS Windows 7 Professional x 64 CPU Intel i7 2600K @ 3.40 GHz Motherboard ASUS Sabertooth P67 Memory Corsair Vengeance 16GB DDR3 1600MHz CL8 Dual Channel Kit Graphics Card Asus ENGTX570 GeForce GTX 570 1280MB GDDR5 PCI-E w/ Dual DVI Sound Card Onboard Realtek or Nvidia High Definition Audio (HDMI) Monitor(s) Displays Sharp 42" LCD TV ( 5 HDMI and VGA inputs ) Screen Resolution 1366 X 768
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Brink, this was one of the 1st things I noticed about IE9 when I opened it up. I hit the Alt key and it popped up. It is staying there everytime I open and close my browser???? I didn't even do your great tutorial, makes no sense to me
System Manufacturer/Model Number Panasonic Toughbook CF30 MK3 OS W7 ULT CPU Intel L9300 1.6Ghz W/VPro Motherboard America MegaTrends Memory 4G DDR2 Graphics Card Intel GMA4500 Sound Card SoundMax Monitor(s) Displays DFP W/CircularPolarization 1000 Nit Touch Screen Resolution 1280X920
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I have taken this up to Mt. Everest and back down, Unit Got Dirty Many Times. Submerged It Into Snow And Let It Clean Itself. You Can't Put A Price On That Stuff To Me. When I Need My Laptop To Work, It Has To Work.
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Note
OPTION ONE 
Quote: Originally Posted by Brink 
