How can I disable the new features of the Windows XP and Windows 2000 shell?

John Savill

December 12, 2001

1 Min Read
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A. You can use Group Policy to disable the new features (e.g., Active Desktop, quick launch, Web view) of the XP and Win2K shell and configure the classic shell. To configure the classic shell, perform the following steps:

  1. Open Group Policy in Group Policy Editor (GPE).

  2. Expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, Windows Explorer.

  3. Double-click Enable Classic Shell.

  4. Set to Enabled, and click OK.

  5. Close GPE.

You can also use the registry to configure this setting by performing the following steps:

  1. Start a registry editor (e.g., regedit.exe).

  2. Navigate to HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer.

  3. From the Edit menu, select New - DWORD Value.

  4. Enter a name of ClassicShell, and press Enter.

  5. Double-click the new value, set it to 1, and click OK.

  6. Close the registry editor.

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