en-US windows user

Disable Open in New Window menu option

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 using the shortcut menu to open a link in a new browser window. If you enable this policy, users cannot point to a link, click the right mouse button, and then click the Open in New Window command. If you disable this policy or do not configure it, users can open a Web page in a new browser window by using the shortcut menu. This policy can be used in coordination with the "File menu: Disable New menu option" policy, which prevents users from opening the browser in a new window by clicking the File menu, pointing to New, and then clicking Window. Note: When users click the Open in New Window command, the link will not open in a new window and they will be informed that the command is not available.

Registry

HKCU Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions

Value name: NoOpeninNewWnd

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: Disable Open in New Window menu option
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 5.0

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

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Disable Open in New Window menu option
# 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 'NoOpeninNewWnd' -Value 1 -Type DWord

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

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