Error message when trying to access Add or Remove Programs

Symptoms

When you attempt to open the Add or Remove Programs applet in the Control Panel, the following message may appear:

Add or Remove Programs has been restricted. Please check with your administrator.

Resolution

This is due to one of the following Policy settings:

1. NoAddRemovePrograms
2. NoControlPanel

If your system is attached to a domain, your network administrator may have disabled the Add or Remove Programs applet. For standalone systems, follow the steps below to unlock the restrictions.

• Click Start, Run and type Regedit.exe
• Navigate to the following branches one by one:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Uninstall
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Uninstall

• Delete the NoAddRemovePrograms value if present in the above locations.
• Then, navigate to following locations:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer

• Delete the NoControlPanel value in the above locations.
• Close Regedit.exe