How to Unlock Internet Options
By Chris Moore
Users of Microsoft's Internet Explorer Web browser may choose to lock people out of the browser's "Internet Options," thus preventing other users from changing the browser's settings and block access to websites. The problem with this, however, is that it leaves the primary user unable to make changes as well. You'll have to unlock the Internet Options in order to use this command again. As is the case with locking, unlocking Internet Options involves the system's Registry Editor.
Step 1
Close the Internet Explorer application if you currently have any browser windows open.
Step 2
Go to the "Run" command in the Windows "Start" menu (accessible from the lower left corner of the screen). Input "regedit" in the text box and click the "OK" button to open the Registry Editor.
Step 3
Scroll through the list of keys in the Registry Editor's window and locate "HKEY_CURRENT_USER." Click on the plus sign next to the key, then select "Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions."
Step 4
Search through the "DWORD" values in the right window and select "NoBrowserOptions." This value may not exist; see Step 5 if this is the case.
Step 5
Right click on any blank space within the Registry Editor window like the area just to the right of the window. Select "New" in the box that appears and then select "DWORD." Input "NoBrowserOptions" as the name and click the button to create the new DWORD.
Step 6
Double click on the "NoBrowserOptions" choice in the DWORD value list. Change this value to "0."
Step 7
Return to the "HKEY_ CURRENT_USER" keys and select "Software\ Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel." Locate the DWORD value "HomePage"--or create it as described above--and change its value to "0."
Step 8
Close the Registry Editor and restart the computer.
References
Tips
- Locking Internet Options is the same process as unlocking, only changing the DWORD value to "1."
Warnings
- Do not make any other changes in the Registry Editor, as any mistakes while editing the Registry can cause major issues with the Windows system, including an inability to boot up.
Writer Bio
Chris Moore has been contributing to eHow since 2007 and is a member of the DFW Writers' Workshop. He received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from the University of Texas-Arlington.