Internet Explorer Reopen Last Browsing Session - Disable or Enable

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

   Information

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable the Reopen Last Browsing Session option in IE8, IE9, IE10, or IE11 for all or specific users on the computer.

You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.

EXAMPLE: Reopen Last Browsing Session
NOTE: This is the Reopen Last Browsing Session feature in IE8, IE9, and IE10 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 in IE for Only Current User
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.
Enable_IE_Reopen_Last_Browsing_Session.reg

Download


B) Go to step 3.
2. To Disable Reopen Last Browsing Session in IE For Only Current User
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.
Disable_IE_Reopen_Last_Browsing_Session.reg

Download


3. Save the .reg file to the desktop.

4. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

5. Click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC-Windows 7/8) or Continue (Vista), 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/tap on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and Internet Explorer. (See screenshot below)

3. In the right pane of Internet Explorer, double click/tap on Turn off Reopen Last Browsing Session to edit it. (See screenshot above)

4. To Enable Reopen Last Browsing Session
A) Select (dot) either Not Configured or Disabled. (See screenshot below step 6)
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.

B) Go to step 6.
5. To Disable Reopen Last Browsing Session
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (See screenshot below step 6)
6. Click/tap 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

---

• How to Reopen the Last Browsing Session in Internet Explorer
• How to Turn the "Always close all tabs" Warning Message On or Off in Internet Explorer
• How to Set Internet Explorer 10 (IE10) to Start with Last Browsing Session or Home Page

 

[Kitti Ritter]

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]

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.



Hope this helps,
Shawn

 

[Kitti Ritter]

Hey, that was it! Thanks again.

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome.