8 Different Ways to Open Local Group Policy Editor in Windows
There are multiple ways in which the policy editor can be put into use. For instance, you can control the shutdown and log-in processes; you can change system settings, application settings, etc.
The tool usually remains hidden from the general view of the user, but it can be accessed in several ways. Most of these ways are unknown, but here in this article, we will present in the best possible manner.
Method #1: Access the Policy Editor via Run
Via run, a user can access almost everything if you know the short commands which open up the necessary tools. Like here, in this case, we would use a particular command to call upon the editor operating Window.
Read the steps below:
Step 1. Switch on your system, and then press the “Windows logo + R” keys combination. It will open up a small window at the bottom left corner of the Windows screen.
Step 2. In the search field, type “gpedit.msc” and hit “Enter” and the Group Policy Editor Window will open up.
Method #2: Access Editor using Start Menu
Using the Start menu to access any application is the easiest of all ways. Here also we will use the same command used in the last method, but in a different search field.
Step 1. Just click on the Windows icon or Start button from the bottom left corner of the screen.
Step 2. In the search field, type “gpedit.msc” and click on the “gpedit.msc” option from the search results. The editor window will turn up.
Method #3: Access Editor using Command Prompt
Command Prompt or cmd, is a Windows command line interpreter available in all Windows OS, both desktop and server edition. Group policy editor can also be accessed using certain command lines in cmd Window.
To know how to do it, read the steps below:
Step 1. Type cmd or command prompt in the start menu.
Step 2. From the search result that turns up, click on the command prompt option, and the black Window of cmd will turn up.
Step 3. In this black dialogue box, type “gpedit” command and hit “Enter”. The dialogue box of the policy editor will appear.
Method #4: Access Editor using Windows Powershell
Very much similar to the command prompt of Windows, Powershell is another task automation and configuration management program provided by Microsoft to all Windows OS.
Read the steps as to how to use it to access Policy Editor:
Step 1. Click on the Windows icon at the bottom left corner of the screen. Windows PowerShell option is readily available in the menu options. In case it is not visible, type “Powershell” and it will be shown right away. Click on it and the blue display screen of PowerShell will appear.
Step 2. Again, here also, input “gpedit” and hit “Enter”, and the policy editor operating Window will turn up.
Method #5: Access Editor by asking Cortana to open it (for Windows 10 only)
If your system is installed with Windows 10 and Cortana is enabled, you can ask this program at your voice command to open anything you want, policy editor in this case.
Read the steps below to know how it is done:
Step 1. Firstly, activate Cortana by uttering the words “Hey, Cortana”. You can also click the microphone button on the taskbar.
Step 2. Now, just give the voice command “Open Group Policy Editor” and the Policy Editor Window will open up. Cortana will also display the message “Opening edit group policy”.
Method #6: Access Editor from Settings (For Windows 10 Only)
Group policy editor is fundamentally created to change settings of OS, so it can be opened up using Settings application of Windows 10.
How?
Continue reading down the steps:
Step 1. Firstly, open the “Settings” app. You will see the option in the Start menu list.
Step 2. Once the operating Windows of Settings application appears, type in its search field, “Group Policy” and choose the “Edit Group Policy” option.
Method #7: Access Editor from Control Panel (For Windows 10 only)
Local group policy editor is also available via Control Panel. All you need to know is how to access it.
To know the details, read the steps below:
Step 1. From the Start menu, type “Control Panel” and click on the option appearing in the search result.
Step 2. When the Control Panel option turns up, input “group policy” in the search field, and hit “Enter”. The group policy editor will come up.
Method #8: Access Editor using Task Manager
Task Manager is a great tool to manage background processes, services, and applications. Policy editor can be accessed using Task Manager also.
Read the steps to know the details:
Step 1. The quickest way to launch Task Manager is to press together “CTRL + SHIFT + ESC” keys (For Windows 8.1 and 10) from your keyboard.
Step 2. A small operating Window pops up. Click on the “File” menu and select “Run new task”. A new Pop up will emerge with the heading “Create new task”. In the search field, input “gpedit.msc” and press “Enter”. Group Policy Editor will open up.
Conclusion:
If you are unable to access or open this tool, it could mean that you have a home edition of Windows which does not include Group Policy Editor. Microsoft considers that a power user gets a more powerful Windows edition. On a precise note, you can only find this default program in Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise; Windows 7 Professional; Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows 7 Enterprise; Windows 8.1 Professional and Windows 8.1 Enterprise.
But if you are still having problems opening it despite having a home edition, there could be some technical problems. Seek a bit of expert advice on such occasions.
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