How to Enable or Disable "Add Features to Windows 8/8.1"
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.
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
OPTION ONE
To Enable or Disable "Add Features to Windows 8" using a REG File
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"
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
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
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)
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)
7. You can now close the Local Group Policy Editor window if you like.
That's it,
Shawn
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