Windows 7 - Internet Explorer Reopen Last Browsing Session - Disable or Enable

Brink

How to Enable or Disable "Reopen Last Browsing Session" in Internet Explorer

Information

This will show you how to enable or disable the Reopen Last Browsing Session option in Internet Explorer 8 (IE8) and Internet Explorer 9 (IE9) for all users on the computer.

This is enabled by default in Internet Explorer.

EXAMPLE: Reopen Last Browsing Session
NOTE: This is the Reopen Last Browsing Session feature in IE8 and IE9 set to be enabled (top screenshots below) and disabled grayed out (bottom screenshots below).

OPTION ONE

Using a REG File Download

1. To Enable Reopen Last Browsing Session
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Enable_IE8_Reopen_Last_Browsing_Session.reg

B) Go to step 3.

2. To Disable Reopen Last Browsing Session
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Disable_IE8_Reopen_Last_Browsing_Session.reg

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

4. Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.

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

6. When done, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.

7. Close all opened Internet Explorer windows, and reopen to see the change applied.

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 Internet Explorer. (See screenshot below)

3. In the right pane, right click on Turn off Reopen Last Browsing Session and click on Edit. (See screenshot above)

4. To Enable Reopen Last Browsing Session
A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (See screenshot below step 6)

B) Go to step 6.

5. To Disable Reopen Last Browsing Session
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. Close all opened Internet Explorer windows, and reopen to see the change applied.

That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

Kitti Ritter · 02-15-2010

Each day when opening IE8, the popup appears asking if I want to open my last session or open internet explorer. I downloaded your reg file which did manage to disable this in the tools menu, it is now greyed out there. However, the popup continues to appear when first opening IE8. Since I have Windows 7 Home Premium I am unable to access the local computer policy. Is there anything else I can try? Thanks.

Brink · 02-15-2010

Hello Kitti,

This will only enable or disable the Reopen Last Browsing Session option from being selected.

It sounds like you may have the automatic recovery kicking in asking you this instead. If it is, then you can uncheck the option below in Internet Options - Advanced tab to see if it stops afterwards.

Internet Explorer Reopen Last Browsing Session - Disable or Enable-internet_options.jpg

Hope this helps,
Shawn

Kitti Ritter · 02-16-2010

Hey, that was it! Thanks again.

Brink · 02-16-2010

You're most welcome.

Windows 7 - Internet Explorer Reopen Last Browsing Session - Disable or Enable

Internet Explorer Reopen Last Browsing Session - Disable or Enable

Internet Explorer Reopen Last Browsing Session - Disable or Enable problems?