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Lock location of Stop and Refresh buttons

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

Windows 11 25H2

Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 8.0

Path in the GPO console

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Toolbars

Description

This policy setting allows you to lock the Stop and Refresh buttons next to the Back and Forward buttons. If you enable this policy setting, the Stop and Refresh buttons are next to the Forward and Back buttons, and the user cannot move them. If you disable this policy setting, the Stop and Refresh buttons are next to the Address bar, and the user cannot move them. If you do not configure this policy setting, the Stop and Refresh buttons are next to the Address bar by default, and the user can choose to move them.

Registry

HKLM Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\CommandBar
HKCU Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\CommandBar

Value name: ShowLeftAddressToolbar

Enabled: ShowLeftAddressToolbar = 1

Disabled: ShowLeftAddressToolbar = 0

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.

Scope

.reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Lock location of Stop and Refresh buttons
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 8.0

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\CommandBar]
"ShowLeftAddressToolbar"=dword:00000001
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Lock location of Stop and Refresh buttons
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 8.0

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

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