User Tip #81: Enable / Disable Active Desktop

Hits: Failed to execute CGI : Win32 Error Code = 3


The Active Desktop accessible via Start/Settings can be disabled. This Windows NT registry hack disables access via Explorer but does not disable the same functionality accessible by right-clicking the desktop. Cut and paste the following script into noactive.reg file and run it.

REGEDIT4
BLANK LINE GOES HERE
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] "NoSetActiveDesktop"=dword:40
BLANK LINE GOES HERE

See .REG files for background information on .REG files.

The following tweak prevents disabling via desktop properties:

REGEDIT4
BLANK LINE GOES HERE
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer] "ForceActiveDesktopOn"=dword:1
BLANK LINE GOES HERE

Other active desktop values installed via IE, include :

IE installs the Windows Desktop Update component. See How to Add or Remove Windows Desktop Update for more information including the Active Desktop component.