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When you open Internet Explorer 8 the first time, you’ll see the Set Up Windows Internet Explorer 8 screen asking you to configure the search and accelerator settings. After configuring the settings, a new tab window opens automatically, redirecting to Microsoft Internet Explorer 8 Website. This article tells you how to disable the Internet Explorer 8 Tour (Set up & Welcome screen) for all user accounts.
Method 1
1. Use the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) and navigate to the following branch:
2. Create registry values as per the table below:
| Value Name | Data | Type |
| IE8RunOnceLastShown | 1 | REG_DWORD |
| IE8RunOncePerInstallCompleted | 1 | REG_DWORD |
| IE8RunOnceCompletionTime | (empty) | REG_BINARY |
| IE8TourShown | 1 | REG_DWORD |
| IE8TourShownTime | (empty) | REG_BINARY |
| IE8RunOnceLastShown_TIMESTAMP | (empty) | REG_BINARY |
3. Exit the Registry Editor.
To automate the above, use the REG file that I created. Download ie8-tour-disable.zip, unzip and run the file ie8-tour-disable.reg. Note that the setting only effects the current user account. To apply the change to every other users, you may deploy this REG file via registry RunOnce or using Group Policy.
Method 2
1. Use the Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) and navigate to the following branch:
Note: The above branch does not exist by default, and have to be created manually or by running the REG file available at the end of this article.
2. Create a REG_DWORD value named DisableFirstRunCustomize
3. Double-click DisableFirstRunCustomize and set its value data to 1.
4. Exit the Registry Editor.
To automate the steps in Method 2 above, download gpo-ie8-tour-disable.zip, unzip and run gpo-ie8-tour-disable.reg. To reverse the changes made in Method 1 & Method 2, run the file Undo.reg enclosed within the zip file.
Using Group Policy Editor
If your version of Windows includes the Group Policy Editor, you can modify this setting using these steps:
1. Launch the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
2. Expand the following branch:
3. Double-click Prevent performance of First Run Customize Settings
4. Set it to Enabled, and select Go directly to home page.
5. Click Apply, close the dialog and exit the Group Policy Editor.
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Thanks! I got rid of that blankety-blankety welcme screen!
Nice marcia, not good if you have a large estate to apply the setting to :)
I fixed this problem in a more simple way: 1) right clik on the IE8 icon on desktop; 2) select RUN as Administrator; 3) answer the welcome window questions until the end (in customized mode). The window will no more appear.