How to Allow Users to Run Specified Windows Programs Only

Wondering how to allow users to run specified Windows programs only?

Several companies and administrators restrict users’ access to certain applications. Such computers are configured to permit only certain programs and restrict all others. 

This is a good strategy if your computer is used by multiple users (especially kids) and you do not want them to be messing around with your critical applications and sensitive data. 

If you are looking for ways to allow users to run specified Windows programs only, you are in the right place. In this guide, we will walk you through several ways of doing so in detail. Fortunately, all the methods are easy to execute and should not take much of your time. 

Let’s get started!

1. Use Group Policy.

The Group Policy Editor is a Windows-based administration tool that lets users customize the settings of their operating systems. Users can set the password requirements, the program that starts up, and what applications or settings they can modify.

The information in the Group Policy Editor is stored in the form of policies and by modifying the relevant policies, you can make your desired changes.

  1. Press Windows + R keys simultaneously on your keyboard to open a Run dialogue box. 
  2. Inside the text field of the dialogue box, type ‘gpedit.msc’ and hit Enter. This will launch Group Policy Editor on your PC.
  1. Once you are inside the Group Policy Editor, navigate to the location mentioned below. 
User Configuration\Administrative Templates\System\
  1. Now locate and double-click on Run only specified Windows applications in the right pane.
  1. Select Enabled and click on the Show button under Options.
  1. Add the names of applications that you want to allow and hit OK.
  2. Finally, click on Apply to save the changes.

As simple as that!

2. Try Using CleanMyPC.

If you are unable to perform any of the methods described in this guide, your system may be infected. It would be best if you cleared the junk files prior to troubleshooting.

Using a professional PC cleaner can help you remove computer clutter. One recommendation we have is CleanMyPC.

Install CleanMyPC on your PC

In addition to removing junk files, CleanMyPC has a range of tools that can address other PC problems. After you install the tool and run an initial scan, the tool will automatically find and fix problems without your input.

CleanMyPC is also quite easy to use. Even if you’ve never used a PC cleaner before, you’ll have no problem using it.


 Try CleanMyPC Now!


3. Use Windows Registry.

Microsoft Windows Registry is a hierarchical database used for maintaining low-level settings as well as enabling applications to access it.

The Registry stores information about what applications are installed on the computer and which types of documents can be created using them, what property sheet settings are assigned to folders and icons, as well as what hardware is installed. Windows refers to this information when performing relevant operations in your operating system. 

The information is stored in the form of keys, and by modifying the relevant Registry keys, you can modify the processes of your operating system.

  1. Press Windows + R keys simultaneously on your keyboard to open a Run dialogue box. 
  2. Inside the text field of the dialogue box, type ‘regedit’ and hit Enter. This will launch Windows Registry on your PC.
  3. Once you are inside the Registry Editor, navigate to the location mentioned below. 
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer
  1. If you cannot locate the Explorer key, then right-click on the Policies key and select the New > Key option.
  2. Rename this key as Explorer and double-click on it.
  3. Now right-click anywhere in the right pane and select the New > DWORD (32-bit) Value option.
  4. Rename this newly created value as RestrictRun.
  5. Double-click on RestrictRun and under Value data, type 1.

Once done, restart your PC to save the changes.

This brings us to the end of our guide on ways to allow users to run specified Windows programs only. We tried walking you through all the steps in detail and hope that one of the methods mentioned in this post did the trick for you. In case you still have any confusion about the steps, please let us know in the comment section below!

If this guide helped you, please share it. 🙂

Author

  • Zainab Falak

    Zainab Falak is a staff writer for Saint and an expert in Microsoft Windows, having authored more than 200 posts. She has a Bachelors in Actuarial Sciences and her passion for computers extends to exploring various aspects, from UI customization to the Windows registry and exploring error codes. Twitter LinkedIn

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