Gadgets - Allow or Prevent Installation of Unsigned Gadgets

How to Allow or Prevent Installation of Unsigned Gadgets in Windows 7
Published 08 Feb 2009

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How to Allow or Prevent Installation of Unsigned Gadgets in Windows 7

Information

This will show you how to allow to prevent all users in Windows 7 from installing gadgets that are not digitally signed to verify it's publisher. By default, both signed and unsigned drivers are allowed to be installed in Windows 7 by all users.

Note

Preventing the installation of unsigned gadgets does not affect any unsigned gadgets that were already installed or currently running. All users will still be able to select and add any unsigned gadgets that were already installed.

EXAMPLE: "Installation of desktop gadgets is managed by your system administrator."
NOTE: When installation of unsigned gadgets is prevented, this is the message all users will see when they try to install a unsigned gadget in Windows 7. Users will also see this if user installed gadgets is prevented as well.

EXAMPLE: A Unsigned Gadget
NOTE: When installation of unsigned gadgets is allowed, this is what a user will see when installing a unsigned gadget. Notice the warning at the bottom of the Security Warning dialog box.

OPTION ONE

Using a REG File Download

1. To Allow the Installation of Unsigned Gadgets
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Allow_Unsigned_Gadgets.zip

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Prevent the Installation of Unsigned Gadgets
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Prevent_Unsigned_Gadgets.zip

3. Click on Save, and save the .zip file to the desktop.

4. Open the downloaded .zip file and extract the .reg file to the desktop.

5. Right click the extracted .reg file and click on Merge.

6. Click on Run, Yes, Yes, and OK when prompted.

7. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to completely apply.

8. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg and .zip files if you like.

OPTION TWO

Through the Local Group Policy Editor

1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.

2. In the left pane, click on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and Desktop Gadgets. (See screenshot below)

3. In the right pane, right click on Restrict unpacking and installation of gadgets that are not digitally signed and click on Edit. (See screenshot above)

4. To Allow the Installation of Unsigned Gadgets
A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (See screenshot below step 6)

B) Go to step 6.

5. To Prevent the Installation of Unsigned Gadgets
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (See screenshot below step 6)

6. Click on OK. (See screenshot below)

7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.

8. Log off and log on, or restart the computer to completely apply.

That's it,
Shawn

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