Internet Explorer - Turn Menu Bar Always On or Off

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.

How to Turn the Menu Bar On or Off in Windows 7

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

Download


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


Download


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



Download


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.

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 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.
That's it,
Shawn

Related Tutorials

---

• How to Turn the Menu Bar On or Off in Windows 7
• How to Put the Menu Bar Always on Top in Internet Explorer
• How to Uninstall Internet Explorer 9
• How to Restore or Remove "File" from the Windows Explorer Menu Bar
• How to Move Stop and Refresh Buttons to Left or Right of Address Bar in IE9 and IE10

 

[Brink]

Dew,

I'm sure that they will as well.

 

[Cara63]

A Million Thank You wishes......

I am in awe! Thanks to both of you - you have saved me much work.
Cara

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Cara, and welcome to Seven Forums. I happy that we were able to help.

 

[MGB]

You saved IE9 on my PC.

Since I do not want a Chrome derivate I did not really like what I got with IE9 beta, I was checking for advice on how to remove IE9 and then I found this article.
You just saved IE9 from deletion.

 

[Dave76]

Welcome to Seven Forums MGB, IE9 beta is running well for me, hopefully the RTM will be easier to customize.

 

[Brink]

Welcome to Seven Forums MGB.

I'm happy to hear that you are able to enjoy IE9 now.

 

[Night Hawk]

I found one reason why the menu bar will disappear or may not even appear at all despite the both of you put into this one. When finally getting the beta on a fresh 32bit 7 install the item was set in the local configuration as well as under the User configuration>Adminstrative Templates>Windows components and still got nowhere while the first attempt on the 64bit 7 was instantaneous?!

After repeat visits and finding the option was still enabled in the Local Policy the reg download was also used and still no results. Well until finding one thing in particular that needs to see a check mark that is.

That one little thing since this is beta just happened to the F12 developers option which when intially checked off also brings a developer's band at the bottom of the IE window. Simply click on the small X to close that up and you will then have a right click options menu at the top as well as the menu bar.

Note it won't continuously stay checked off but will see the menu bar appear if any problems are seen.

 

[anykey]

Just found this Tutorial. Thanks

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome AnyKey.

 

[Night Hawk]

I wouldn't want to be without any menu bar option since I use IE for the most part and wasn't certainly wanting a good look at what the latest IE version will offer! Just remember to "Trust in Brink" for some of the guides for 7 you will find!

(I've looked over numerous blog guides that couldn't even come close to actually providing any details.)

 

[ukdeejay]

Disappearing IE9 Menu bar...

I notice that your guide states that you must be logged on with an Administrator account to perform the registry tweak in the article. Fine, the Menu bar now appears on all windows in IE9 by default, when logged on with Admin privileges. How do you achieve the same result when using IE9 in a Limited user account situation. The Menu bar [Alt] still disappears as soon as you perform any action in the IE9 window?

 

[Brink]

Hello DeeJay, and welcome to Seven Forums.

Unfortunately you cannot. You will have to get someone with an administrator account to do this.

 

[McSeven]

Thanks for that info!!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome McSeven.

 

[McSeven]

I have been using IE9 for a couple of days now and I don't think it's any faster than Google's Chrome. It appears that the IE9 style borrowed the Chrome look.

What I don't like about both is the fact that there is no separate search entry line.

 

[Night Hawk]

That's beta for you! Hopefully the final version will include the default search box however. That will make life a bit easier on everyone.

I can't see a full version of IE 9 not having their default Bing box! set as the default search with options for others.

 

[Brink]

Internet Explorer 9 has search built into the address bar now instead as in the tutorial below. You will always have the option of installing a add-on, for example Google or Bing toolbar, that has a separate search box.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/119534-internet-explorer-9-search.html

However, this is a discussion for a new thread since this is not the subject of this tutorial.

 

[David Ben Yosef]

GREAT reg tweak guys! When I first installed IE-9 not only was the menu bar not showing, but there isn't an option anywhere to have it displayed. I wouldn't even consider using a browser without the menu bar. So this fix is the difference between me using IE-9 or not. Which, by the way, is an AWESOME version of IE. I'm really impressed with it thus far. Thanks guys!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome David.

 

[David Ben Yosef]

If nobody has mentioned it yet in this thread, the RTM IE9 now installs with the menu bar fully visible. So there's no need for this action to be taken now. It was a quick fix for the beta version of IE9. It was very useful though. Thanks Shawn...you da' man!