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We do not recommend it and we'll not be responsible if it harms your system.
Many times we post tutorials which require use of Group Policy Editor (GPEdit.msc)program.
But the problem is, Group Policy Editor comes bundled with only a few selected Windows editions such as Professional, Enterprise and Ultimate editions.
Other Windows editions such as Home (also known as Core), Home Basic, Home Premium, Starter and Single Language don't come with Group Policy Editor program.
So these Windows editions users can't use tips-n-tricks which require using Group Policy Editor. Now the good news is that you can install/enable the missing Group Policy Editor program in any edition of Windows operating system.
Today in this tutorial, we are going to share 2 methods to add Group Policy Editor tool to all Windows editions. METHOD 1: Only for Windows 10 Users METHOD 2: For Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10 Users
So if you also want to install and enable Group Policy Editor in your Windows OS, following methods will help you:
METHOD 1: Only for Windows 10 Users If you are using Windows 10 Home edition or Single Language edition and want to enable Group Policy Editor program, this method will help you.
Actually Windows 10 Home and Single Language editions already come with Group Policy Editor program packages included but its disabled by default so users can't launch the program.
But we can activate and enable the program using DISM command.
For your convenience, we have created a small BATCH file which can automatically install Group Policy Editor program by executing required DISM command.
First of all download the batch file from following link:
Download Batch Script to Enable Group Policy Editor in Windows 10
Extract the downloaded ZIP file using 7-Zip or any other file archive utility and you'll get "Install Group Policy Editor.bat" file.
Right-click on the BAT file and select "Run as Administrator" option. It'll launch a Command Prompt window which will take a few seconds in installing and enabling Group Policy Editor program in Windows 10.
Restart your computer and now you are ready to use Group Policy Editor in Windows 10 Home or Single Language editions.
METHOD 2: For Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10 Users This method will work in all Windows versions such as Windows 7, Windows 8/8.1 and Windows 10.
It uses a simple installer which installs the required system files in Windows so that you can enjoy Group Policy Editor in all Windows editions.
This installer tool has been created by "davehc" @ Windows7forums and shared by "Drudger" @ DA. It enables Group Policy Editor program in all Windows editions such as Starter, Home Basic, Home Premium, etc.
First download the setup file using following link:
Download Group Policy Editor Installer
You'll find the download link in right-side section of the above mentioned page.
After downloading the ZIP file, extract it using WinRAR or 7-Zip. Run the extracted setup.exe file.
It'll install the files and you'll be able to access gpedit.msc command via RUN or Start Menu search box.
NOTE 1: For Windows 7 64-bit (x64) users! You'll also need to go to "SysWOW64" folder present in "C:\Windows" folder and copy "GroupPolicy", "GroupPolicyUsers" folders and gpedit.msc file from there and paste them in "C:\Windows\System32" folder.
NOTE 2: If you are getting "MMC could not create the snap-in" error message while running gpedit.msc, check out following steps to fix the problem.
Basically it happens when your username in Windows contains more than one word.
- Run the installer and leave it at the last step (do not click on the "Finish" button).
- Now go to C:\Windows\Temp\gpedit\ folder.
- If you are running 32-bit (x86) edition of Windows 7, right-click on x86.bat file and choose "Open With -> Notepad" option. If you are running 64-bit (x64) edition of Windows 7, right-click on x64.bat file and choose "Open With -> Notepad" option.
- You'll find a total of 6 lines containing the following string in the file: %username%:f
- Edit those lines and replace %username%:f with "%username%":f For example: Original: icacls %WinDir%\SysWOW64\gpedit.dll /grant:r %username%:f New: icacls %WinDir%\SysWOW64\gpedit.dll /grant:r "%username%":f
- Save and run the file (right-click -> Run as Administrator). 7. That's it. You'll have working gpedit.msc.
Thanks to our reader "Teazlee" for the fix...
