Windows is one of the most widely used operating systems in the world. With its user-friendly interface, constantly available updates, and attractive looks, it has marked its presence in each household.
The latest of the series, Windows 10, has two major operating systems with slight modifications. One of the most prominent differences lies in the networking management capabilities that they possess. While Windows 10 Home is a widely used version for PCs, it has lower security than Windows 10 Pro.
Another characteristic that marks a difference between the two is the presence of the Local Group Policy Editor in Windows 10 Pro edition. As a matter of fact, the Group Policy Editor is not only excluded from the Windows 10 Home edition, but the earlier versions like Windows XP, Windows 7, or Windows 8.1 also find it unavailable.
The Group Policy editor is essential to dealing with even the minutest of the changes in the setting of the local computer. Changing the settings directly from the Windows registry can prove to be risky at times; therefore, a group policy editor comes handy in a situation like this. The settings changed through the editor can be restored to previous versions without causing adverse effects to the system.
This article attempts to throw light on a list of methods that can be used to open Local Group Policy Editor in Windows 10.
Using the Command Prompt
One of the methods to open the Local Group Policy editor could be through using the Command Prompt in the system.
For that, the first step is to press the Windows Key + X. This will open the Quick Access Menu for you. The menu will display a list of options. Choose Command Prompt (Admin) from the given list. This will lead your system to open a small black window called the Command Prompt window. Type gp edit on the screen. You will have your Local Group Policy Editor open within a few seconds.
Using the Control Panel
One can also access the Local Policy Editor using the Control Panel. It is one of the easiest and quickest methods of all. All one has to do is open the control panel in their system.
Once the Control Panel window opens up. Here, type “group policy” in the search box. Then click on the “Edit group policy” option that will appear below the heading Administrative Tools at the top of the screen.
One needs to note that though the search results are displayed under the heading of Administrative Tools, the “Edit group policy” option is unavailable once you open the link of Administrative Tools. Therefore, the search box becomes the only way to find the desired result.
Using the Run Window
One can also access the Group Policy Editor using the Run option in windows. To open the Run window, go to the start menu. Select the All Apps option in the list and expand the Windows system. Next, click on the Run option to open the window.
One can also go for the keyboard shortcut, i.e., Windows key + R. Once the window appears on the screen, go to the “Open” field and type “gpedit.msc.” Press Enter or click on the Ok option on the screen. This will open the Group Policy Editor for you.
Using File Explorer
Another convenient option to open the Local Group policy editor is to use the File Explorer in Windows 10. This option can also be accessed in the versions Windows 7 using the Windows Explorer.
Open the File Explorer in your system. If you can’t find the option in the taskbar, go to the start menu and search for the file explorer. One can also use the shortcut, i.e., press Windows + E on your keyboard to launch the window. Once the window opens, go to the address bar at the top — type “gpedit.msc” in the bar and press Enter.
You will find the Group editor on the screen.
Using the Settings charm
A charm is a narrow bar that contains the most fundamental functions of the Windows operating system. For instance, search, devices, share, settings, and so on. The Settings charm can be a useful method to access the Group Editor Policy in Windows 10.
One can open the Settings charm using the Start Menu. Click on the start menu at the lower corner of the screen. Click on Settings, and the window will pop open. You can also use the keyboard shortcut, i.e., Windows + I. Once the screen is displayed, go to the search box on the right side of the screen. Type “group policy” and press enter. An option for “Edit Group policy” will be displayed in the search results. Click on it. You’ll be directed to your desired results.
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Using Cortana
Cortana is one of the standout features of Windows 10. It is a personal assistant that can be activated through voice. From providing you weather forecasts to setting reminders for birthdays, from sending emails to telling you a joke to cheer you up, from searching your favorite song to singing you a lullaby, Cortana has gotten it all covered. This can be another easy method to access the Group Policy Editor in your system.
Go to the Start menu and click on the microphone button of Cortana. You can also say “Hey Cortana” to activate it. After you have successfully activated your Cortana, ask her to open the Local Group Policy Editor in the system. She will open the desired results for you.
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Using the task Manager
Task Manager can also be used to access the Local Group Policy Editor for you. The first thing that you need to do is to launch the Task Manager. One can open it by right clicking on the taskbar and then choosing the option from Task Manager from the context menu. Or, you can go to the start menu and search for Task Manager. The keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + Esc can also be used for quick access.
Once the window opens, click on the “More Details” option in the lower-left corner of the screen. Go to the File Menu. From the drop-down list, click on the “Run new task” option. A small window named “Create new task” will pop open — type gpedit.msc in the bar and press Enter.
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Using the taskbar
The above-mentioned methods are a guide to open the Local Group Policy Editor in your system, when for the first time. These methods can also prove to be useful if one doesn’t need to access the Editor very often. However, if it finds frequent use in your routine, you might want to go for an easier method to keep it handy at all times.
For this, you will have to create a shortcut for the Policy Editor. Once the shortcut has been created, it will appear on your desktop screen. Either you can choose to leave it there or right click on the shortcut. A list of options will be displayed on the screen. In the context menu, click on “Pin to taskbar” or “Pin to start.” Therefore, your Local Group Policy editor will now be easily accessible to you through the taskbar or the start menu.
