Add Features to Windows 8 - Enable or Disable

How to Enable or Disable "Add Features to Windows 8/8.1"


information   Information
This tutorial will show you how to enable to disable the "Add Features to Windows 8/8.1" wizard for specific or all users in Windows 8.

You must be signed in as an administrator to be able to do the steps in this tutorial.


EXAMPLE: "Add Features to Windows 8" disabled
Disabled.jpg






OPTION ONE

To Enable or Disable "Add Features to Windows 8" using a REG File



Note   Note
The .reg files below are for the registry key and value below.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\WAU

Disabled DWORD

0 = Enable "Add Features to Windows 8/8.1"
1 = Disable "Add Features to Windows 8/8.1"


1. Do step 2 or 3 below for what you would like to do.​
2. To Enable "Add Features to Windows 8" for Only Current User
NOTE: This is the default setting.​
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.​
Enable_Add_Features_to_Windows_8.reg
download
B) Go to step 4 below.​
3. To Disable "Add Features to Windows 8" for Only Current User
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below.​
Disable_Add_Features_to_Windows_8.reg
download
B) Go to step 4 below.​
4. Save the .reg file to the desktop.​
5. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to Merge it.​
6. If prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK.​
7. Sign out and in, or restart explorer to apply.​
8. When finished, you can delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.​






OPTION TWO

To Enable or Disable "Add Features to Windows 8" in Group Policy


NOTE: This option for using group policy is only available in the Windows 8 Pro and Windows 8 Enterprise editions.
1. Open the all users, specific users or groups, or all users except administrators Local Group Policy Editor for how you want this policy applied.​
2. In the left pane, click/tap on to expand User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and open Add features to Windows 8/8.1. (see screenshot below)​
GPEDIT-1.jpg
3. In the right pane of Add features to Windows 8/8.1, double click/tap on Prevent the wizard from running. (see screenshot above)​
4. Do step 5 or 6 below for what you would like to do.​
5. To Enable "Add Features to Windows 8"
A) Select (dot) Disabled or Not Configured, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below step 6A)​
NOTE: Not Configured is the default setting.​
B) Go to step 7 below.​
6. To Disable "Add Features to Windows 8"
A) Select (dot) Enabled, click/tap on OK, and go to step 7 below. (see screenshot below)​
GPEDIT-2.jpg
7. You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor window if you like.​


That's it,
Shawn


 

Attachments

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  • Disable_Add_Features_to_Windows_8.reg
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  • Add-Features.png
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