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File menu: Disable closing the browser and Explorer windows

Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 23, 2026

Windows 11 25H2

Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 5.0

Path in the GPO console

User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Browser menus

Description

Prevents users from closing Microsoft Internet Explorer and File Explorer. If you enable this policy, the Close command on the File menu will appear dimmed. If you disable this policy or do not configure it, users are not prevented from closing the browser or File Explorer. Note: The Close button in the top right corner of the program will not work; if users click the Close button, they will be informed that the command is not available.

Registry

HKCU Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions

Value name: NoBrowserClose

Export Builder

BETA

Configure 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.

.reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: File menu: Disable closing the browser and Explorer windows
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 5.0

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions]
"NoBrowserClose"=dword:00000001
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: File menu: Disable closing the browser and Explorer windows
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 5.0
# Warning: In SYSTEM context (the Intune default), HKCU targets the SYSTEM profile. Run this script using the logged-on credentials.

$path = 'HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'NoBrowserClose' -Value 1 -Type DWord

Building a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.

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