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Remove File menu from File Explorer

Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 30, 2026

Windows 11 25H2

Supported on: At least Windows 2000

Path in the GPO console

User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\File Explorer

Description

Removes the File menu from My Computer and File Explorer. This setting does not prevent users from using other methods to perform tasks available on the File menu.

Registry

HKCU Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Value name: NoFileMenu

MDM / Intune (CSP)

./User/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_WindowsExplorer/NoFileMenu
User Since Windows 10, version 2004 with KB5005101 [10.0.19041.1202] and later | Windows 10, version 20H2 with KB5005101 [10.0.19042.1202] and later | Windows 10, version 21H1 with KB5005101 [10.0.19043.1202] and later | Windows 11, version 21H2 [10.0.22000] and later Official mapping (Microsoft Learn)

Microsoft Learn documentation Mapping data: Microsoft Learn (CC BY 4.0)

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.

.reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Remove File menu from File Explorer
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: At least Windows 2000

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer]
"NoFileMenu"=dword:00000001
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Remove File menu from File Explorer
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows 2000
# Warning: In SYSTEM context (the Intune default), HKCU targets the SYSTEM profile. Run this script using the logged-on credentials.

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

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

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