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Prevent access to Internet Explorer Help

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

Windows 11 25H2

Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 7.0

Path in the GPO console

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer

Description

This policy setting prevents the user from accessing Help in Internet Explorer. If you enable this policy setting, the following occur: • The Help menu on the menu bar is not functional. • Help is removed from the Command bar. • The shortcut key F1 does not make Help appear. • Help cannot be accessed from the Settings charm (starting with Internet Explorer 10 on Windows 8). If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, the Internet Explorer Help menu is available to the user. The user can also use the Command bar and F1 to access Help.

Registry

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

Value name: NoHelpMenu

Enabled: NoHelpMenu = 1

Disabled: NoHelpMenu = 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: Prevent access to Internet Explorer Help
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 7.0

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

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prevent access to Internet Explorer Help
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 7.0

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

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

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