Here is how to install the Group Policy template and manage PowerToys with Group Policy in Windows 11/10: You can set up the PowerToys Group Policy template.
Install PowerToys Group Policy template in Windows 11/10
To install PowerToys Group Policy template in Windows 11/10, follow these steps:
First, ensure that you have the latest version of PowerToys or not. If not, go to the General tab in PowerToys and install the latest version.
Next, head to github.com and download the template file. You need to head to the Assets section and download the file named GroupPolicyObjectsFiles-version.zip.
Extract the contents of this ZIP file, open the en-US folder, and copy the PowerToys.adml file.
Now, open the File Explorer and navigate to this path:
C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US
Open the extracted file, and copy the PowerToys.admx file, and paste it here:
C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions
By doing so, you have successfully installed the Group Policy template for PowerToys.
Manage PowerToys with Group Policy in Windows 11/10
To manage PowerToys with Group Policy in Windows 11/10, follow these steps.
Open the Local Group Policy Editor. To do this, press Win+R to open the Run prompt, type gpedit.msc, and hit the Enter button.
Once it is opened, navigate to this path to access or manage PowerToys for all users:
Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft PowerToys
However, if you want to manage PowerToys settings for the current user only, you need to navigate to this path:
User Configuration > Administrative Templates > Microsoft PowerToys
Here you can find all the settings that can be changed via the Local Group Policy Editor.
You need to double-click on the settings and choose the Enabled or Disabled option as per the requirements.
Finally, click the Apply and OK buttons to save the change.
Some of the important PowerToys settings that can be changed via GPEDIT are:
- Allow using online AI models
- Allow sending diagnostic data
- Disable automatic downloads
- Always On Top: Configure enabled state
- Command Not Found: Configure enabled state
- Find My Mouse: Configure enabled state
- Keyboard Manager: Configure enabled state
- Power Rename: Configure enabled state
- Registry Preview: Configure enabled state
- Screen Ruler: Configure enabled state
- Text Extractor: Configure enabled state
Let’s assume that you want to disable the Advanced Paste functionality. To do so, you do not need to open the PowerToys. Instead, you can double-click on the Advanced Paste: Configure enabled state setting and choose the Disabled option.
If you want to revert the change, open the same setting and choose the Not Configured option. Finally, click the OK button to save the change.
However, some settings are slightly different. For example, if you open the Configure enabled state for individual plugins, you need to enlist all the plugins. For that, choose the Enabled option first. Then, click the Show button to list down all the plugins.
Note: When you enable or disable a specific setting via Local Group Policy Editor, you will be greeted with the following message when you open the respective setting page in the PowerToys:
I hope this guide helps you.
Read: How to Install or Update Group Policy Administrative Templates (ADMX)
Does Group Policy work on Windows 11?
Yes, Group Policy works on Windows 11 without any issues. However, you must ensure that you have installed the current ADML and ADMX files in the PolicyDefinitions in the system drive. It is highly recommended to use the GUI version of the same setting in case you have any issues comprehending the same. Group Policy is not included in Windows 11 Home, however.
Does PowerToys work with Windows 11?
Yes, Microsoft PowerToys works fine with Windows 11. All the options are readily available for Windows 11 as well as Windows 10. The most interesting thing is that you can install the Group Policy template and manage settings via the Local Group Policy Editor.
Leave a Reply