Categories

Links

Error "Registry Editing has been disabled by your administrator"

Published: July 21, 2004
Send your feedback

Symptom

When you run the Tweak UI PowerToy for Windows XP, the following message may be displayed:

Tweak UI has been disabled by your administrator.

Also, the following error message is displayed when you start the Registry Editor (regedit.exe):

Registry Editing has been disabled by your administrator

This error occurs if the DisableRegistryTools Policy is enabled.

IMPORTANT:  If this policy was enabled in your system (not connected to a corporate network) without you doing anything or without your knowledge, then it's highly likely that a Virus has blocked the usage of Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) in your system by enabling the DisableRegistryTools policy via the registry. It's highly recommended that you perform a thorough checkup of your system immediately. Steps listed in this article will help you unblock the Registry Editor, but that does not remove the Virus (if any) from your system.

Removing the DisableRegistryTools restriction

For standalone Windows XP systems, perform the steps below to remove the registry editing restrictions.

Method 1: Using the REG.EXE console tool

1. Click Start, Run and type this command:

You should be able to launch Tweak UI, as well as the Registry Editor.

Method 2: Using the Group Policy Editor (Windows XP Professional only)

User Configuration | Administrative Templates | System

Note: If the setting already reads Not Configured, set it to Enabled, and click Apply. Then revert it back to Not Configured. This ensures that the DisableRegistryTools registry value is removed successfully.

Spanish version of the article is here.

(Muchas gracias a Pepe Gallardo, Microsoft MVP, por traducir el artículo original al español. Para una versión inglesa del mismo, clic aquí.)