Windows 7 - Local Group Policy Editor - Open

Brink

How to Open the Local Group Policy Editor in Windows 7

Information

This will show you how to open the Local Group Policy Editor in Windows 7.

To search for a group policy or for it's registry key, value, and etc..., see:

Group Policy Search

and

Download Details - Microsoft Download Center - Group Policy Settings Reference for Windows and Windows Server

Note

The Local Group Policy Editor is a Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in that provides a single user interface through which all the Computer Configuration and User Configuration settings of Local Group Policy objects can be managed for your computer.

Computer Configuration
Administrators can use Computer Configuration to set policies that are applied to computer, regardless of who logs on to the computers. Computer Configuration typically contains sub-items for software settings, Windows settings, and administrative templates.
User Configuration
Administrators can use User Configuration to set policies that apply to users, regardless of which computer they log on to. User Configuration typically contains sub-items for software settings, Windows settings, and administrative templates.

By default the Local Group Policy Editor is applied to all users unless you use a specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor to apply User Configuration policies.

Warning

You will need to be an administrator to open the Local Group Policy Editor.
The Local Group Policy Editor will only be available in the Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise editions.
The Local Group Policy Editor feature is not included in the Windows 7 Starter, Home Basic, and Home Premium editions.

EXAMPLE: Local Group Policy Editor

Here's How:

1. Open the Start menu, and type gpedit.msc in the search line and press Enter. (See screenshot below)
NOTE: This file is located at C:\Windows\System32\gpedit.msc.

2. If prompted by UAC, click on Yes.

3. You can now set and manage the Local Group Policies on your computer to how you want them.
NOTE: For more details and information about how to use the Local Group Policy Editor, click on the blue ? toolbar icon. (See screenshot below)

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

markg2 · 11-01-2009

Trying to open local groups policy to alter the admin creds to allow for global access per our chat in another thread.

However, 'Running' gpedit.msc results in 'cannot find.' Following the path: C:\Windows\System32\gpedit.msc in explorer I only find gpedit.dll.

Any other suggestions on opening this thing?

Thanks,

Mark

Brink · 11-01-2009

Hello Mark,

What edition of Windows 7 do you have installed? It sounds like you have an edition that does not have gpedit.msc incuded. See warning box at the top of the tutorial for more on this.

markg2 · 11-02-2009

Ah, I have the Home Premium--sorry for not reading carefully.

Under User Account Settings, Change User Account, I have Administrator checked off versus Regular User. Are we saying that under this version of the OS that is the best I can do insofar as a 'global guy' with all seeing powers and I cannot get into the Properties to increase power?

Thanks,

Mark

Brink · 11-02-2009

Mark,

No, it just means that everything will have to be done manually through the registry instead in that edition. The only problem is that is not as easy since you have to give a very specific thing you wanted to do, but that's to be posted in a separate thread to keep this one on topic.

As adminstrator, that account should have global access now.

crimson · 11-16-2009

I just typed "edit group policy" in the search. Isn't there a way to navigate to it in control panel?

Brink · 11-16-2009

Hi Crimson,

That works just as well as the searching for the file name. You can do a search with "edit" in the Control Panel to get the same result though.

Personally, I just created a shortcut from the C:\Windows\System32\gpedit.msc file, and use it to make it easier to open from.

Hope this helps,
Shawn

homepremium · 12-29-2009

I have the same problem as Mark there, I can't seem to find the correct thread to help me do this in Home Premium. Can somebody point me in the correct direction?

Brink · 12-29-2009

Hello HomePremium,

Sorry, but the Local Group Policy (gpedit.msc) is not available in the Windows 7 Home Premium edition. See red warning box at top for more on this. Unfortunately, you will have to manually do what you are wanting in the registry instead.

If you post what you need in the appropriate forum that best fits the subject, I'm sure that one of us may be able to help you with what needs to be changed in the registry for it.

kjmcdonald · 01-18-2010

Is there a way to permanently add the gpedit.msc to the Computer Management console?

I know I could add a shortcut to the startmenu, but It's a snap-in right? It seems like I should be able to put it in 'Computer Management' right next to Task Scheduler, Event Viewer, Disk Management, etc.

No?

-Kyle

Windows 7 - Local Group Policy Editor - Open

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