Windows7How

Windows 7 LGPE Part IV, Disable Feature

December 28, 2009

Previously, we looked at some security changes you can make with the Local Group Policy Editor (LGPE) in Windows 7. You also learned how to make changes to your Control Panel icon display – a nifty feature for simplifying your experience there; also, it’s very useful for securing your settings from the changes others may want to make without your permission. Now we will look at how to use the LGPE to make some changes to how Windows 7 notifies you of some events. Once more it needs to be said that you should be careful here – it is an easy place to do dangerous things to your operating system (OS). Do not forget to make a system restore point before you start making changes – just in case!

One change you can make is actually a limiting action for another feature. In Windows, when you go to delete a file or folder, you are always presented with a Delete confirmation dialog box. This asks if you are sure you want to delete the file and it gives you two buttons: OK and Cancel. This box can be disabled easily by right-clicking on the Recycle Bin, choosing Properties, and then choosing to uncheck the Display Delete Confirmation Dialog. We all know that makes life easier for those of us who use computers every single day, but other less-experienced users may end up deleting a number of files and not really register it – especially if no Delete confirmation dialog box comes up to warn them. Removing the ability to disable the Delete confirmation is a good idea when sharing a computer where someone might actually make this change and cause problems for everyone else. To do this, just follow the procedure below.

• Run the LPGE as you normally do and choose User Configuration | Administrative Templates
• Now, there are two ways to keep other users from making this change – one is to simply disable the Display Delete Confirmation Dialog check-box and the other is to remove the ability of anyone to open the Properties command when right-clicking on the Recycle Bin
• Decide which you want to do and follow these steps
  • To disable the Display Delete Confirmation Dialog check-box, go to the Windows Components section under Administrative Templates and then choose Windows Explorer. Double-click the Display Confirmation Dialog and enable it
  • To disable the Properties command from the right-click menu on the Recycle Bin, go to the Desktop section under Administrative Templates and double-click on Remove Properties From The Recycle Bin Context Menu. Enable that and you have removed it
• Now that either of those has been enabled, simply click OK and the new policy will go into effect

That will force the Delete confirmation dialog box to always launch – and it may also remove your Properties tab from the Recycle Bin if you went that route. Either way, the long-serving safety mechanism will continue to present itself and only you can change that.

Now we come to what many call the System Tray, though Microsoft themselves say that is not accurate – but they still use it regularly in their documentation. It is officially known as the Notification Area on the Taskbar; it’s probably in the bottom right-hand of your screen right now. It’s where the clock is located and icons of running applications are often featured. If you really dislike this feature, it is possible to remove it from the Taskbar in Windows 7 through the LGPE. To do so, just follow the steps below.

• Get the LPGE started and go to User Configuration | Administrative Templates | Start Menu And Taskbar
• Double-click on Hide The Notification Area and enable it
• Double-click on Remove Clock From The System Notification Area and enable it
• Back-out and click OK and the policy will go into effect

A very simple procedure for you to completely change your Taskbar in Windows 7 this is. If you want to change your settings here, simply follow the procedure above and disable the same policies.

Changing your system is as easy as following the very few steps we have seen over the last few procedures. Be careful and keep a copy of these procedures handy if you have further problems. The changes we have made are all reversible, so there are no worries to working with this snap-in. The Local Group Policy Editor is incredibly useful to anyone who likes to customize their own experiences to make their work simpler. Use it, but do not use it beyond what you understand.

Filed under: Guides, Tips, Windows 7 Tweaks

Tags: backup, Confirmation Dialog, delete, disable, lgpe, local group policy editor, Recycle Bin, restore point, system restore point, system tray, taskbar, user configuration, win 7, windows 7, windows explorer