The main difference between Windows 10 pro edition and Home edition is networking management capabilities and Policy features. This guide will detail how to enable group policy editor in Windows 10 or Windows 11 Home
If this is missing from your version of windows or you are getting an error on gpedit.msc not found then you need to check which edition you are using.
This is quite a serious drawback as we need them to even manage the settings of the local system. This is better than changing settings via the windows registry which is quite risky. Most of these can revert easily while registry editing can have adverse effects on the system.
Follow through to know how to install this. The same method can be used in windows 7 and 8 as well.
Note: As PowerShell script is the fast yet safe method to install this we have promoted this to the number 1 spot.
How To Enable Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) in Windows 10/11 Home (4 Ways)
Manually Install GPEdit.msc via PowerShell
For this:
- In the first step, you need to download its script. This is a simple script that shall install the disabled policy feature in this.
- Then right-click on the downloaded gpedit-enabler.bat file, choose run as administrator.
- This shall begin the installation process. It might take some time all depending on the system performance. As the process is completed, hit “any key” to close the command prompt window.
- Though restart is not required; but if policies are not working then you is required to restart your system once.
READ: How to Configure Stylus Settings in Windows 10/11.
Use GPEdit Installer
This is a configuration manager for windows which makes it quite easy to configure windows settings. Now, in spite of going through the windows registry, you can configure various aspects of windows OS via group policy editor. By default, this is not included in Windows 10 or Windows 11. You first need to download the editor.
This is a simple setup file which when you run installs and configures this.
Download GPEdit Installer for Windows 10 Home
READ: See how easy it is to disable InPrivate Browsing in Edge Chromium.
Use Windows Settings
If you carry 32-bit Windows (x86) then setup is installed quite smoothly without any issues and you shall be able to access this via Microsoft management console by going to “Run” and then “gpedit.msc”. If you have 64-bit Windows (x64) then you need some extra steps after running the installer. You need to follow the steps below:
- In the first step, you need to go to “C:\\Windows\SysWOW64 folder”.
- Then you need to copy the following folders and files from C:\\Windows\SysWOW to C:\Windows\System32 “GroupPolicy”, “GroupPolicyUsers” and gpedit.msc.
This makes sure that the user runs the editor from the Run dialog.
Download Group Policy Editor (PolicyPlus)
This is a third-part application and an alternative to it. It carries a similar interface. The major benefit of using this is that it comes with a search function where users can search for required policies.
For this:
- In the first step you need to download this from the following link:
Download PolicyPlus for Windows 10 Home
- Once done, run Policy-Plus.exe. This shall open immediately as it is a portable application. The best thing is that you can make changes to it as how you want in the windows built-in editor.
These methods shall help you enable this in your system.
READ: Everything you need to know about Sticky Notes in Windows 10/11 (Ultimate Guide).
How to Open Group Policy Editor After Enabling It
Once this has been installed you need to access them and edit the ones implemented on your system.
- You need to open the Run dialog box by hitting “Windows Key + R”.
- Then type in “gpedit.msc”.
- Hit “enter”.
This is going to open its window.
Few people complain that though this method has worked for them but most of the settings do not work in this edition. In your case, if both methods fail then you need to try some other method.
Note: You need to keep one thing in your mind, these methods are useful when you want to use the policy editor. This method shall not be effective if you are a domain administrator and wish to configure this on the windows home system using the windows server active directory as it does not support joining a domain in the active directory.
Fixing Local Group Policy Editor Missing
There are a number of steps you can take to make locate the local file:
- Put your PC into safe mode.
- Run the above .bat files with “Administrator” privileges.
- Reboot, and it should be there now.
READ: Here is how to calibrate your Gaming Monitor for better colors.
FAQ: Problems with gpedit.msc
If you are getting the following error message while starting this
“MMC cannot create a snap-in”
Then you need to start following the steps below:
- In the first step, you need to go to C:\\Windows\Temp\gpedit\folder and be sure it exists.
- Then you need to download the following zip file and unzip it to “C:\Windows\Temp\gpedit”. This should replace both the files x86.bat and x64.bat.
- Run x86.bat file if you are running 32-bit OS and x64.bat if running 64-bit Windows 10. Be sure to run batch files as an administrator.
Once you have followed the steps mentioned above you should have a working group policy editor.
That is about it!
Closing Statement
I hope this article helps you in enabling group policy editor in Windows 10/11 Home and also helps you fix the local group editor missing error. I have shared the most reliable methods which include configuration tweaking.
