How to Prevent Changing and Specify a Default Home Page in Internet Explorer
Information
This will show you how to allow or prevent users from being able to change their home page in Internet Explorer, and to allow you to specify a default home page for users if prevented.
You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.
You must be logged in as an administrator to be able to do this tutorial.
EXAMPLE: Home Page Settings in Internet Options
OPTION ONE
Manually with REG File Download and in Registry Editor
NOTE: This option will affect all users on the computer.
1. To Enable the Ability to Change Internet Explorer Home Page
NOTE: This is the default setting.
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Allow_Changing_IE_Home_Page.reg
Download
B) Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.
C) Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.
D) Click on Run, Yes (UAC-Windows 7) or Continue (UAC-Vista), Yes, and OK when prompted.
E) Go to step 3.
2. To Disable the Ability to Change and Specify a IE Home Page
A) Click on the Download button below to download the file below.
Prevent_Changing_and_Specify_IE_Home_Page.reg
Download
B) Click on Save, and save the .reg file to the desktop.
C) Right click on the downloaded .reg file and click on Merge.
D) Click on Run, Yes (UAC-Windows 7) or Continue (UAC-Vista), Yes, and OK when prompted.
E) Open the Start Menu, type regedit in the search box, and press Enter.
F) If prompted by UAC, then click on Yes (Windows 7) or Continue (Vista).
G) In regedit, navigate to the location below. (see screenshot below)
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
H) In the right pane of Main, right click on Start Page, and click on Modify. (see screenshot above)
I) Type in the full webpage address that you want to specify as the home page, and click on OK. (see screenshot below)
NOTE: You cannot leave it empty, and must enter a webpage address.
J) When finished, close regedit, and continue on to step 3. (see screenshot below)
3. If open, close all instances of Internet Explorer and reopen to see the change in Internet Options.
4. 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 Disable changing home page settings and click on Edit. (See screenshot above)
4. To Enable the Ability to Change Internet Explorer Home Page
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 the Ability to Change and Specify a IE Home Page
A) Select (dot) Enabled. (see screenshot below step 6)
B) Under Options, type in the full webpage address that you want to specify as the home page.
NOTE: You cannot leave it empty, and must enter a webpage address.
6. Click on OK. (see screenshot below)
7. Close the Local Group Policy Editor window.
That's it,
Shawn
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