How to Disable the Run Command in Windows

By Timothy Tibbetts

on 06/15/2023

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The Windows Key + R allows you to run many system utilities, including regedit, msinfo32, services, MSConfig, and much more. You can disable the run command, so other users can't use it.

This can be accomplished in Group Policy Editor or the Registry Editor. Windows 10 Home users will need to enable Group Policy Editor.

Once completed, anyone who tries to use the Win + R will be told, "This operation has been canceled due to restrictions in effect on this computer."

Disable the Run Command in Windows With Registry Editor

Because all Windows users can use the Registry Editor, we will start there.

Open the Registry Editor.

Go to:
HKEY_CURRENT_USERS\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies

Click on the Explorer key. If you don't have one, right-click on Policies and click New > Key and name that Explorer.

Click on Explorer, then right-click on the right side and click New > DWORD (32-bit Value).

Name the new DWORD NoRun.

Double-click NoRun and change the Value data to 1.

Reboot and try the Windows Key + R.

Disable the Run Command in Windows With Group Policy Editor

Open Group Policy Editor.

Navigate to:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Start Menu and Taskbar

Double-click Remove Run menu from Start Menu on the right.

Click on Enabled. Click on OK.

The changes should work immediately without the need to reboot.