Group Policy Objects | Configuration Details

This page lists all configurable policy settings available under Group Policy Objects. For setup instructions, see Configuring Group Policy Objects.

Control Panel

Policy Description Supported Versions
Disable Lock Screen Bypasses the lock screen, directing users to the sign-in screen without pressing CTRL + ALT + DEL.
  • Windows 10 Pro (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Disable Changing Lock Screen Prevents users from customizing the lock screen background, ensuring a uniform appearance.
  • Windows 10 Pro (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Force Default Lock Screen Configures a default lock screen and log-on image. Admins must specify an image file path. The same image applies to both the lock screen and the log-on screen, ensuring a uniform appearance.
Note: When enabled, specify the path to your image and choose to enable/ disable overlays on the lock screen, such as fun-facts, by selecting the Disable Lock Screen Overlays toggle.
  • Windows 10 Pro (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Disable Changing Start Menu Background Restricts users from modifying the Start menu background. If Force Specific Background and Accent Color are enabled, those colors take precedence.
  • Windows 10 Pro (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Force Specific Background and Accent Color Enforces a specific background and accent color using RGB hex codes.
  • Windows Server 2012 R2
  • Windows 8.1
  • Windows RT 8.1
Force a specific Start background Lock the Start screen background to one of 20 predefined IDs.

Enables users to select a background ID. If you set this value to zero or not configured, Start uses the default background, and users can change it.
  • Windows Server 2012 R2
  • Windows 8.1
  • Windows RT 8.1
Prevent lock screen background motion Disables the motion effect on the lock screen image caused by accelerometer-based panning. The background remains static.
  • Windows 10 (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Turn off automatic learning Disables automatic learning in handwriting recognition. Prevents the system from collecting handwriting data to improve personalization. Also blocks implicit text and ink collection.
  • Windows 10 (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Allow users to enable online speech recognition Controls user access to online speech services. If enabled or not configured, users can toggle this in Settings. If disabled, users cannot access online speech functionality.
  • Windows 10 (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Block clean-up of unused language packs Prevents the system from automatically removing unused language packs installed via system image. Overrides the default LPRemove scheduled task behavior.
  • Windows 10 (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Force selected system UI language to overwrite the user UI language Enforces a specific UI language across menus and dialogs. If the specified language is missing or the policy is disabled, the system defaults to the admin's selected language.
  • Windows 10 (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Restrict Language Pack and Language Feature Installation Blocks users from installing new language packs or on-demand features. Only administrator-installed or preloaded language options remain available.
  • Windows 10 (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Restricts the UI language Windows uses for all logged users Forces the same UI language for all users. Admins must specify the language when enabling this policy.
  • Windows 10 (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Apply the default account picture to all users Enforces use of the default account image for all users. Users cannot change their profile picture.
Tip: Default path is %PROGRAMDATA%\Microsoft\User Account Pictures\user.jpg. If this file does not exist, a blank frame appears.
  • Windows 10 (Version 1703 and later)
Allow Online Tips Controls whether the Settings app can connect to Microsoft services to retrieve help tips. When disabled, the app shows only local content.
  • Windows 10 (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Settings Page Visibility Allows admins to hide specific settings pages from users. Blocked pages are removed from the UI and inaccessible via links, context menus, or navigation. If all pages in a category are hidden, the entire section disappears.
  • Windows 10 (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)

Start Menu and Taskbar

Policy Description Supported Versions
Remove "Recently added" list from Start Menu Hides the list of newly installed apps in the Start Menu. Also, disables the toggle for this feature in Settings.
  • Windows 10 Pro (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Remove and prevent access to the Shut Down, Restart, Sleep, and Hibernate commands Removes Shut Down, Restart, Sleep, and Hibernate commands from:
  • Start menu
  • Windows Security screen
  • Sign-in screen
  • Windows 10 Pro (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Show or hide "Most used" list from Start menu Forces visibility of the Most used list in the Start menu. Users cannot change this setting if enforced.
  • Windows 10 Pro (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Start Layout Locks the Start layout using a specified XML layout file. Users cannot pin, unpin, or rearrange tiles.
Tip: Enter the full path to the Start Layout XML file when enabling.
  • Windows 10 Pro (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Enable group policy for the WNS FQDN Lets admins specify a custom Windows Notification Service (WNS) FQDN. Used to control notification behavior in secure networks.
  • Windows 11 and later
Turn off notifications network usage Prevents apps from using WNS to deliver notifications (tiles, badges, toasts, etc.). Disables Windows’ connection to the push notification service.
  • Windows 10 Pro (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Do not keep history of recently opened documents Disables creation and display of recent document history in:
  • Start menu
  • File Explorer
  • App menus
  • Windows 10 Pro (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Force Start to be either full screen size or menu size Locks the Start menu to either
  • Full Screen Start
  • Start Menu (non-fullscreen)
Users cannot resize it.
  • Windows 10 Pro (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Remove All Programs list from the Start menu Controls visibility of the All Apps list in the Start menu.
Choose from:
  • None
  • Collapse
  • Collapse and disable setting
  • Remove and disable setting.
  • Windows 10 Pro (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)
Remove frequent programs list from the Start Menu Hides the list of most-used programs from the Start menu. Users cannot see or access frequently used apps.
  • Windows 10 Pro (Version 2004 and later)
  • Windows 10 Enterprise (Version 2009 and later)