Start Internet Explorer with tabs from last browsing session
Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 23, 2026
Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 10.0
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Internet Control Panel\General Page User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Internet Control Panel\General Page Description
This policy setting configures what Internet Explorer displays when a new browsing session is started. By default, Internet Explorer displays the home page. In Internet Explorer 10, Internet Explorer can start a new browsing session with the tabs from the last browsing session. If you enable this policy setting, Internet Explorer starts a new browsing session with the tabs from the last browsing session. Users cannot change this option to start with the home page. If you disable this policy setting, Internet Explorer starts a new browsing session with the home page. Users cannot change this option to start with the tabs from the last browsing session. If you do not configure this policy setting, Internet Explorer starts with the home page. Users can change this option to start with the tabs from the last session.
Registry
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ContinuousBrowsing Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ContinuousBrowsing Value name: Enabled
Enabled: Enabled = 1
Disabled: Enabled = 0
Export Builder
BETAConfigure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.
These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO. ⓘ
Applying both scopes creates an ambiguous configuration (computer takes precedence over user). Only do this intentionally.
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Start Internet Explorer with tabs from last browsing session
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 10.0
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ContinuousBrowsing]
"Enabled"=dword:00000001More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Start Internet Explorer with tabs from last browsing session
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 10.0
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ContinuousBrowsing'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'Enabled' -Value 1 -Type DWordIntune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune.Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Start Internet Explorer with tabs from last browsing session
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 10.0
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ContinuousBrowsing' -Name 'Enabled' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Start Internet Explorer with tabs from last browsing session
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 10.0
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ContinuousBrowsing'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'Enabled' -Value 1 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Start Internet Explorer with tabs from last browsing session
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 10.0
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Start Internet Explorer with tabs from last browsing session
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 10.0
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ContinuousBrowsing' -Name 'Enabled' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Start Internet Explorer with tabs from last browsing session
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 10.0
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\ContinuousBrowsing'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'Enabled' -Value 1 -Type DWordBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.