How to : Removing the DisableRegistryTools restriction

Posted by anilezfa on July 23, 2008

As per request of Jade, here some quick fix for your problem. If I’m not mistaken she got this problem quite a number of times.

Symptom :

The following error message is displayed when you try to run Registry Editor (regedit.exe) in Windows XP.

On standalone Windows XP, 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:

REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableRegistryTools /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

You should be able to launch the Registry Editor.

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

• Click Start, Run and type gpedit.msc and press ENTER
• Go to the following location: User Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> System
• Double-click Prevent access to registry editing tools and set it to Not Configured
• 
• Exit the Group Policy Editor

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.

Important : Steps listed in this article will help you unblock the Registry Editor, but that does not remove the Virus (if any) from your system.