Restrict users from enabling or disabling Internet Explorer add-ons

To prevent users enabling or disabling the Internet Explorer add-ons using the add-on manager, try this:
  • Open Registry Editor and navigate to the following keys:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Policies \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Restrictions
-and-
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Policies \ Microsoft \ Internet Explorer \ Restrictions
  • In the right-pane, Create a new REG_DWORD named NoExtensionManagement
  • Set it's value and set it to 1
  • Close Registry Editor
NOTE: To relax the restriction, change the value back to 0


Using the Group Policy Editor - Windows XP Professional

  • Click Start, Run and type GPEDIT.MSC
  • Navigate to this path:
Computer Configuration | Administrative Templates | Windows Components | Internet Explorer
  • Double-click Do not allow users to enable or disable add-ons.
  • Set it to Enabled
To enable the restriction for the current user profile
User Configuration | Administrative Templates | Windows Components | Internet Explorer
  • Double-click Do not allow users to enable or disable add-ons
  • Set it to Enabled

More Information about this policy (Explain tab)

If you enable this policy setting, users cannot enable or disable add-ons through Add-On Manager. The only exception occurs if an add-on has been specifically entered into the 'Add-On List' policy setting in such a way as to allow users to continue to manage the add-on. In this case, the user can still manage the add-on through the Add-On Manager. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, the appropriate controls in the Add-On Manager will be available to the user.