How to Enable Registry Editor

27 December 2007 52 Comments

Windows registry is a huge repository of data used by Windows necessary to configure the system for different users, applications and hardware devices. Windows registry holds the data that Windows constantly uses during its operation. Some necessary information contains within it are user profiles, software installed and hardware that exists on the computer. On a more technical aspect, Windows registry holds the reference for system configuration and ports assigned to hardware on the system.

Sometimes, we have to resort to Windows registry as final approach in troubleshooting computer malfunction. It is also on this data that virus embeds own code to have control over the infected system. After modification, virus will lock it so that victims will not be able to alter changes it has made.

To enable registry editor that was disabled by virus infection, please do the following to regain your access.

Enable Registry Editor using Group Policy Editor

Note: This option is not available in Windows Vista and Windows 7 Home Edition.

1. Click on the Start > Run and type gpedit.msc on the field.
2. Navigate to:
- User Configuration
- Administrative Templates-
- System.

3. On the setting: Prevent access to registry editing tools.

Local Group Policy Editor - Enable Registry Editor

4. Click Disabled and click on the OK button to save settings.
5. Reboot your computer.

Enable Registry Editor Using Free Tool

RRT or Remove Restrictions Tool is a free tool to enable access to different Windows process disbaled by virus infections.

This tool is used to enable access to:
- Registry Tools (regedit)
- Ctrl+Alt+Del
- Folder Options
- Show Hidden Files

Download RRT: http://www.sergiwa.com/modules/mydownloads/

Note: Trial version of RRT does not have function to enable registry editor.

Enable Registry Editor Using Registry Reset Tool

If the above procedure does not work. You may also use a tool to reset registry keys here. Make sure to backup your registry before making any changes.

1. Download the tool UnHookExec.Inf from the above link.

This registry reset tool is from Symantec

2. Save it to a location on your hard drive.

3. Locate the file UnHookExec.Inf and double-click to install.

The tool is a small file that will reset your registry values to their default settings. Installation will not provide notice or any information.

You might find these helpful:

What to do next...

52 Comments

webmaster
May 19, 2008 @ 03:01:28

1. Click Start>Run
2. Cut and paste on Run “field” the line below to Unlock Registry Editor.

REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableRegistryTools /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
chodirin
Jul 19, 2008 @ 14:39:38

thanks webmaster. its easy and work for me.
Rixx
Aug 04, 2008 @ 17:13:50

Thanks Webmaster, your link worked a treat !
InfoNinja
Sep 09, 2008 @ 09:55:16

Webmaster, the linked worked wonderfully! It didn’t work the first time but I tried it again and it was perfect. Thank you!
deepak
Nov 25, 2008 @ 11:46:32

don’t reboot the system just type tis command on run
n enjoy //////////////////
mohammed
Nov 30, 2008 @ 12:06:58

please can u tell me how to enable task manager also ? i will be grateful
foo
Jan 01, 2009 @ 12:07:33

do not open………….
Da jharia
Feb 12, 2009 @ 14:10:12

Incradible solution for trouble after virus/trozen/worm scaning thanx to author
shankar
Apr 12, 2009 @ 08:42:54

Thank you web master….it worked for me too……thanks a lot….
Rahul
Apr 17, 2009 @ 12:58:58

For me i dont have access to gpedit or editing registry, how can i enable registry editting…
rizky
Apr 27, 2009 @ 02:06:03

thanks for the information
larrya
Apr 30, 2009 @ 11:52:34

didnt work with me either..
Rajesh
May 05, 2009 @ 09:18:15

It is not successful for me
Adzam Shah
May 14, 2009 @ 00:14:44

I have tried using the above cut and paste, the gpedit method, RRT/ myRRT(software), Disk Heal program but the problem persist. In fact my computer just log off when I do the regedit. Please, anybody?
piyush
Jul 09, 2009 @ 03:27:44

thank’s SIR…….
it done well……
saquib
Aug 17, 2009 @ 14:32:09

my task manager has been disabled by administrotor and also registry editorhas been disabled.i am tried the cut and paste method of gpedit and field.
please tell me the solution to enable my task manager
sucker
Sep 21, 2009 @ 08:05:04

Its working, thank you mate for sharing your knowledge.
Tech3
Oct 08, 2009 @ 17:15:03

Nice one, worked a treat…well done !
Zizo
Oct 10, 2009 @ 15:43:58

i try this way with my vista but i stell not lucky
ashok
Nov 27, 2009 @ 07:13:37

thanks u man it works
jhun
Dec 03, 2009 @ 05:46:59

thank you so much! it helped me solve my problem!
rein
Dec 07, 2009 @ 02:58:49

if i try your methods.. will these said virus infect my computer again?? and how will i prevent it from coming back?? can you send my any other methods of enabling regedit… and not be disabled by any viruses permanently.. pls..

my email is reinmar8@yahoo.com

thnx in advance..
reinmar
Dec 07, 2009 @ 05:14:00

i’ve tried it but still doesnt work

it can enable the regedit but when i open it it closes automatically, is there any other way?
Iceman
Dec 15, 2009 @ 23:48:32

REG add HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System /v DisableRegistryTools /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

Just Copy and paste..it works even if ur not administrator.. in the cmd prompt.
riki
Dec 17, 2009 @ 07:00:34

nice work BOSS!^_^v
Apeng
Dec 18, 2009 @ 10:23:29

Thanx, it’s works………..
Apan
Jan 24, 2010 @ 05:36:35

Webmaster Thnx
Priya
Apr 16, 2010 @ 18:03:11

how to enable the usb port without admin access, which is been diabled by the organisation?
anil
Apr 17, 2010 @ 14:21:34

my pc is not properly off
aftre off they restar within 20 sec what i ahave to do
dilip
Apr 20, 2010 @ 12:36:57

hello sir/madam
i am dilip in my computer registry edit has disable then i search in interne then i tried bot it has failed can u give another tip
Micheal
Apr 24, 2010 @ 04:22:06

how can i send/transfer a file to another computer with the wireless ad hoc(computer-to-computer) connection??
junaid
May 29, 2010 @ 16:04:35

thanks alot…………………………
i get my regidity again
ahmed
Jun 04, 2010 @ 12:47:28

thanx alot but u could type on run ( gpupdate ) instead of rebooting pc….good luck
juan
Aug 16, 2010 @ 04:05:49

thanks webmaster…
it works for me…
Franz
Aug 17, 2010 @ 10:07:03

you are a genius keep it up and thanx.
Adi
Sep 14, 2010 @ 17:26:01

WoW!Mann it works yaar!Thank you Webmaster !!!!!!!& YOOOOOOOOmann
David Mark
Oct 22, 2010 @ 10:32:02

webmaster you roccckkkk! thanks u helped a lot of cybernoobs!!
Neda
Oct 28, 2010 @ 13:12:36

THANK U SO MUCH :) solved!

4 me it was Sality virus which did this!!
NAFIH
Jan 05, 2011 @ 05:46:06

IT IS NO WORKING IN MY SSYSTEM EVEN AFTER THESE STEPS IT IS SHOWING THAT REG.EDITING HAS BEEN DSABLED BY ADMINSTRATER.MY OS IS WIDOWS 7
IS THERE ANY OTHER WAYS?PLS HELP ME
NP
Mar 25, 2011 @ 17:42:50

hi ..its not running , when i heat enter it takes me to Open with option and then choose programme you want to use to open the file…please adivise i have to run exe fix
anurag
May 27, 2011 @ 09:32:46

thank u very much GOD……
kheta
May 28, 2011 @ 14:18:32

thanks dude good work it’s working 100% cut and paste and not need to restart pc also
kaleedo
May 29, 2011 @ 20:38:45

very very good solution (the cut & paste)
yel004
Jun 21, 2011 @ 15:20:27

Hi All,
I have a problem with server (windows 2003 server), i can start the windows system but when i put the useId & Password the session start to open but after 3s i see the logoff message, so i can’t open any session in this server
Can you pls help me ?
ahmed
Jun 25, 2011 @ 09:05:02

thanks author but it doesnt appear now
motin
Jun 28, 2011 @ 15:22:54

wow! thanks.. it works on my end
chandi
Jul 08, 2011 @ 05:56:05

Thanks to webmaster ! it worked me too it so simple !!
Draghy
Dec 08, 2011 @ 17:40:23

You’re brilliant dude!
pratik
Dec 22, 2011 @ 05:11:05

not working :( :(
aman
Dec 27, 2011 @ 16:45:52

Thanks for this marvellous information.
Tarun
Jan 09, 2012 @ 04:01:10

Thanks. Ultimate, I got an answer!
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