Windows 10 comes with plenty of tools that promise ease and convenience to users. One of the essential tools brought by this platform is Group Policy Editor. This administrative feature enables users to adjust important settings on network computers or a single computer. How to enable Group Policy Editor to configure startup programs and other settings?
Enabling Group Policy Editor is not as difficult as you thought. The term itself may sound techy but you don’t have to be a computer geek to understand it. Learn more about Group Policy Editor and how to enable this administrative tool right here.
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Why Should You Enable Group Policy Editor (GPEdit.msc)?
You might need to know why you have to enable Group Policy Editor while configuring Windows settings can be performed through Windows Registry. First, it allows you to configure different aspects than what is offered by the registry. Besides, changing the settings through the registry is much riskier so you can minimize the risk by using group policy.
In other words, group policy helps handle the serious drawbacks of using the registry. As the registry potentially has adverse effects on the computer, group policy lets you play safer and better. Thanks to the ability to revert the settings when something goes wrong.
How to Enable Group Policy Editor in 3 Methods
You can Enable Group Policy Editor in several methods, but here, you are going to find three of them. You can use GPEdit Installer, PowerShell script, as well as download a specific third-party app. If you need to learn more about changing your Windows settings through Group Policy Editor, keep scrolling through the page.
1. Using GPEdit Installer
You should know that Windows 10 Home does not come along with Group Policy Editor by default. That means you need to download it first. Find GPEdit.msc Installer on the internet and download it to your computer before enabling the policies. Follow these simple steps:
- Download GPEdit.msc Installer HERE.
- The installation is pretty easy and simple, especially if you are running 32-bit Windows. Right-click on the downloaded file and follow the installation process on your screen.
- After installation, try to access the Group Policy Editor.
- On the search bar, type ‘Run’ and open the program. Type ‘gpedit.msc’ on the provided column.
- Your system will show the installed Group Policy Editor
If your computer runs 64-bit Windows, the installation takes extra effort. Right after downloading the installer, you need to follow these steps:
- Visit C:\Windows\SysWOW64 folder.
- Find these files ‘gpedit.msc’, ‘GroupPolicyUsers’, and ‘GroupPolicy’ folders.
- After finding the files and folders, move to C:\Windows\System32.
- This ensures the editor can be accessed from the Run.
This method has many steps but it is not that difficult, provided you follow the step-by-step instructions. What if the method won’t work on your system? Then you can try the next method using PowerShell script.
2. Using PowerShell script
When the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) of your Windows 10 Home is disabled, you need to download the GPEdit Enabler script. This script will help install the disabled gpedit.msc on your operating system. However, this process is not needed when you already have installed Group Policy Editor on the computer.
The instructions below will help you enable gpedit.msc using PowerShell script:
- Download GPEdit PowerShell script HERE
- After downloading the PowerShell script, right-click on the downloaded file. Then, choose Run as Administrator.
- Wait for a moment for the installation process. The duration varies depending on your computer performance. Whenever the process is finished, close the command prompt.
- On your search bar, type ‘Run’ and click the suggested program. On the provided column, type ‘gpedit.msc’ to open Group Policy Editor on your computer.
- Now you can try configuring the settings. If the policies don’t work well, you may need to restart the computer.
Many Windows 10 Home users have tried this method and found it worked well on their computers. However, if this method fails on your computer, there is still another method to try.
3. Download third-party app
There are few apps that can be used to enable Group Policy Editor on your Windows 10 Home. Here, you can use Policy Plus which can substitute the default policy editor. Coming with a similar interface with GPEdit, it helps you configure Windows settings with ease. To enable Group Policy Editor with a third-party app, you can follow the instructions below:
- Download Policy Plus app HERE
- Find the downloaded file then right-click to run.
- You must download the latest policy files using the Help> Acquire ADMX Files.
- It takes about 5 minutes, then you need to restart your computer.
- After your computer is restarted, GPEdit should be available on your computer.
Once you have the Group Policy Editor, you can easily change the configuration and settings on Windows 10 without using the registry. Try to change the settings and make sure your system responds to it.
How to Access Group Policy Editor?
Now that you know how to enable Group Policy Editor, another question emerges. Do you know how to access GPEdit from your computer? If you are a beginner, chances are that you don’t know where to find this administrative tool. But no worries. Here, you are about to find three easy ways to access Group Policy Editor on your system.
1. Find in Run
This is one of the simplest and easiest ways to access GPEdit. Simply type gpedit.msc on the box and you will be able to access it. For clearer instructions, you need to check out these steps:
- On your search bar, type ‘Run’. Click on the suggested file.
- You will see a Run window. Type ‘gpedit.msc’ on the available box and click OK.
- Your screen will display the Group Policy Editor instantly. Now you can configure settings on Windows 10 Home.
2. Use Command Prompt
Another way to access GPEdit on your Windows is through Command Prompt. This method has three simple steps that work well for anyone, even beginners.
- Type ‘Command Prompt’ on your search bar. Click the suggested program.
- After opening Command Prompt, type ‘gpedit.msc.’ then press Enter.
- Your computer will open the Group Policy Editor.
