Internet Options GENERAL Tab Missing 2

[RexxSysProg]

I put this on the Browser forum but after looking at Microsoft's website it seems this is the more appropriate forum.

TOOLS->INTERNET OPTIONS is missing the General tab. Can't change the home page or other options. The image was loaded on this used PC when I got it. Microsoft's site lists many missing tabs, some because of bad registry entries, but does not list the GENERAL tab.

Running IE 7 XP 5.1 SP2

Can anyone suggest where the problem is and how to fix it? Thanks

 

[RexxSysProg]

Re-installed IE 7 and made no difference. Also applied all Microsoft updates. I found out that the other machines built with this image have the same problem. Any ideas?

 

[linney]

See what Group Policies have been set.

Disable the General pageRequirements: at least Internet Explorer v5.0
Location: Computer Configuration\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Internet Control Panel\

Description:
Removes the General tab from the interface in the Internet Options dialog box.

If you enable this policy, users are unable to see and change settings for the home page, the cache, history, Web page appearance, and accessibility.

If you disable this policy or do not configure it, users can see and change these settings.

When you set this policy, you do not need to set the following Internet Explorer policies (located in \User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\), because this policy removes the General tab from the interface:

"Disable changing home page settings"

"Disable changing Temporary Internet files settings"

"Disable changing history settings"

"Disable changing color settings"

"Disable changing link color settings"

"Disable changing font settings"

"Disable changing language settings"

"Disable changing accessibility settings"

 

[RexxSysProg]

Linney -- Thanks but I can't find any of those folders. Can anyone tell me where that is for IE7/XP?

 

[Rick998]

1) Open the registry editor (Enter "regedit" in the "Start > Run" dialog)

2) Navigate to the following key:
"HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel" in the left-hand pane

3) In the right-hand pane, check whether there is a "GeneralTab" entry with a a DWORD value of 1 (shows as 0x00000001).

If so, either delete the "GeneralTab" entry completely or double-click on the "GeneralTab" entry, change the DWORD value data from "1" to "0" (shows as 0x00000000) and click OK.

Either method changes the policy setting back to its default of "Not configured".

It's a dynamic change so the "General" tab should now be visible in "Tools > Options".

Hope this helps...

 

[linney]

Are you running XP Home, that doesn't have Group Policy included, so you will need to check the suggested Registry location.

Otherwise you start Group Policy via typing Gpedit.msc in the Start Run box.

 

[RexxSysProg]

linney - thanks for the location but it didn't help. It was set to Not configured . I changed it to Disabled , just in case it made a difference, but the tab is still not there.

 

[RexxSysProg]

Rick998 - Thanks but that is not in my registry. When I get to "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\" there isn't any entry for "Internet Explorer". Only "Conferencing; MR; Netlogon; Windows; Windows NT". I opened "Windows" but it doesn't have "Internet Explorer" either.

linney - I am running XP Pro

 

[Rick998]

If it's not a "System wide" setting (i.e. set using the HKLM registry hive) then it must be a "Per User" setting (i.e. set using HKCU).

To remove ALL "Per User" restrictions set for "Internet Explorer > Options", copy/paste the following into Notepad and save as something like "no-ie-restrictions.reg". It doesn't matter what you call it as long as the file ends in ".reg".

REGEDIT4

[-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel]

You MUST include a blank line after the '[-HKEY...' line.

(Using "REGEDIT4" instead of "Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00" in the top line lets you use this 'fix' with earlier Windows 9.x/ME as the IE policy location is in the same place for IE 4,5,6 and 7.)

When you have saved the file, double-click on it and 'accept' it being merged into the registry. All it does is remove the main IE Control Panel policy key instead of having to amend any sub-keys below.

Alternatively, if you want to work just on any "General tab" restriction, copy/paste the following into Notepad and save as something like "fix-general-tab.reg":

REGEDIT4

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel]
"GeneralTab"=dword:00000000

Again, make sure you include the blank line.

Double-click on the saved file and 'accept' it to amend any IE Control Panel restriction set to prevent display of the "General" tab. All it does is change a registry value from "1" (don't show) to "0" (show").

Either method, the change to IE is dynamic so no need to close IE or reboot.

Hope this helps...

 

[Rick998]

RexxSysProg,

Just seen your reply that you are using XP Pro. If you want to use the Group Policy editor instead, do the following:

1) Enter 'gpedit.msc' in the "Start > Run" dialog.

2) Navigate to the lower "User Configuration" area in the left-hand pane.

3) Open "Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Internet Explorer > Internet Control Panel".

4) In the right-hand pane, you should see "Disable the General page" is set to "Enabled". Change it back to its default "Not Configured", apply the change and close the Editor.

Again, the change is dynamic ('Apply' forces a refresh).

Hope this helps...

 

[acewarlock]

I would delete IE7 and install IE6.




This is a Signature and not part of the answer, it appears on every reply.

This is an Analogy so don't take it personally as some have.

Why change the engine if all you need is to change the spark plugs.

 

[RexxSysProg]

Changing in HKEY_CURRENT_USER worked. GENERAL tab is back. Thank you both linney and Rick998 very much (and a star for each of you)