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]

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!

Hello David,

I suppose that depends on if you want to force the IE Menu bar to always be on or off for all users on the computer or not.

 

[David Ben Yosef]

I suppose that depends on if you want to force the IE Menu bar to always be on or off for all users on the computer or not.

I didn't know you did stand up comedy too. What DON'T you do? LMAO

 

[Brink]

LOL.

 

[Phone Man]

I just installed IE9 RTM and hitting the ALT button brings up the Menu bar and then under View/Toolbars you can select the Menu Bar to keep it turned on.

Jim

 

[Brink]

Hello Jim,

Yes, that is one of the normal ways for users to just turn the Menu bar on or off in their IE9.

The tutorial on the first page is a different method to force the Menu bar to either be always be on or off for all users instead. For example, if you force it always on, then it cannot be turned off using the normal method above. Same if you force it always off, then it cannot be turned on using the normal method above.

 

[Phone Man]

Hello Jim,

Yes, that is one of the normal ways for users to just turn the Menu bar on or off in their IE9.

The tutorial on the first page is a different method to force the Menu bar to either be always be on or off for all users instead. For example, if you force it always on, then it cannot be turned off using the normal method above. Same if you force it always off, then it cannot be turned on using the normal method above.

Thanks for the calification. I normally use FF but have been giving IE9 a shot and just trying to learn all the options. I have got just about everything tweaked and it is very nice. Only problem I have is the Organize Favorites wont populate the box. Need to do more digging on that problem.

Jim

 

[Brink]

Eh, it's no problem at all Jim.

In the IE9 Beta, we had to use the option in this tutorial to even be able to keep the Menu bar turned on. Thank goodness it was fixed in the RC and RTM versions to be able to use the normal method to turn on the Menu bar again.

I usually do may Favorites origanizing directly from the C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites folder instead. It just seems easier to do from this location for me.

 

[Phone Man]

Eh, it's no problem at all Jim.

In the IE9 Beta, we had to use the option in this tutorial to even be able to keep the Menu bar turned on. Thank goodness it was fixed in the RC and RTM versions to be able to use the normal method to turn on the Menu bar again.

I usually do may Favorites origanizing directly from the C:\Users\(user-name)\Favorites folder instead. It just seems easier to do from this location for me.

I never tried the Beta so I just stared using it. Thanks for the tip on organizing the favorites. It is a lot eaiser. Still need to find the problem in IE9 as things like that bug me.

Jim