Disable Changing Taskbar and Start Menu Settings Using GPO

In this article, we will learn how to restrict users to make changes in the Taskbar and start menu using Windows Server. I will be using Windows server 2012 R2 as an example, this will help if someone is working in an organization as a system admin and the client wants every user to use the default taskbar and start menu.

It will definitely become a Hustle for a person who has not deployed any group policy related to this client query in the network since he has to go to each and every system to manually make the changes as per client request.

This can be done by creating a simple group policy, first of all, log into your windows server with your administrative credentials and open the Server Manager.

Click on tools and select group policy management.

It will open a group policy management Windows console and from there select your domain under forest has, in this case, the domain name is Usamazaka.local

Right click on it and select the first option “Create a GPO in this domain, and link it here”

It will open up in new window where you have to enter the name of the GPO which you are trying to deploy on the network as in this case I will name it as restrict users from making changes to taskbar and start menu.

Click ok and the window console will be closed now you have to expand your domain and a search for the newly created GPO.

Right click on it and select the edit option.

It will open new window console of group policy management editor.

Expand used configuration and then click on policies.

Expand administrative templates and then click on start menu and Taskbar.

In the settings section it will show a list of group policies that can be implemented using the windows Server scroll down and select Prevent changes to taskbar and start menu settings.

Double click on it and it will open up a new window console from the left hand side select the enable option.

Click apply and then click on “Ok”, now open the command prompt so that the newly created group policy gets enabled right away. Write “gpupdate/force” and hit enter.

Once the group policy is updated no user can make changes in the Taskbar order start menu.