How to use Group Policy to disable the EU Browser Choice
In case you had not already heard Microsoft have had to release an update for all European users to prompt display a ballot screen about what version of browser they want to use (see below). This is one of the actions Microsoft had to do to comply with the EU anti-trust case.
Microsoft have released article KB2019411 explaining how IT administrators can disable a Browser Choice screen for their users using a simple registry key.
Key: HKLM\Software\BrowserChoice
Value: Enable
Data: 1 (REG_DWORD) = Enabled
Data: 0 = Disabled
Now of course you can deploy registry key using Group Policy Preferences which will make it much easier for IT administrators disable this screen.
Step 1. Edit a Group Policy Object that is applied to all the workstation you want this Browser Ballot disabled.
Step 2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings > Registry and create a “New Registry Item”
Step 3. Type “Software\BrowserChoice” in the Key Path then type “Enable” in the Value name, then select REG_DWORD as the value type “0” in the value data and then click “OK”.
If all that is to much hassle to do all that below is a link to the Group Policy Preference XML file you can just copy into the policy.
Links:
- More information on the Brower Choice http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976002
- More information on the Disable registry key http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2019411
- Also check out Aaron Parkers blog here for more information http://blog.stealthpuppy.com/windows/disable-the-browser-choice-screen
Blog Post: How to use Group Policy to disable the EU Browser Choice http://bit.ly/a2FS3d
How to use Group Policy to disable the EU Browser Choice http://bit.ly/baRenY
RT @alanburchill: How to use Group Policy to disable the EU Browser Choice http://bit.ly/baRenY
RT @grouppolicy_biz: Blog Post: How to use Group Policy to disable the EU Browser Choice http://bit.ly/a2FS3d
How to use Group Policy to disable the EU Browser Choice http://bit.ly/a2FS3d
According to the Microsoft KB-article the Value name is “Enable” not “Enabled”.
Thanks for the pick up. I have now fixed the article.
Thanks for the pick up… I have now fixed
I just noticed something, apparently this key varies from computer to computer when its disabled. Looks like some built-in security. But I tried to deploy with Group Policy but windows keept going back to default mode. And I noticed the registry value was different from computer to computer.
Hmm… thats interesting becuase according to http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2019411 its a static value… what variance are you seeing?
Hi sorry about this, the comment was supposed to be on the post for about removing the “Set backup” notification in Windows post
Ok. I thought the same so I checked this setting on two seperate computers and it was the same value…
Hi Alan,
I have a question about your post.
You write
“Step 2. Navigate to Computer Configuration > Preferences > Windows Settings > Registry and create a “New Registry Item”
Well, I create a new GPO and I edit it.
I read Computer Configuration but then I can choose Software Settings, Windows Settings an Administrative Templates, not “Preferences”.
Am I making an error?
Thanks for you answer.
Giuseppe
Sounds like you are using a older version of Group Policy Management Console that does not have the “Preferences” options. Are you editing the policy on Vista or above…
Hi Alan,
I’m using a Windows Server 2k3 and I thought to set in my server this GPO….it is possible?
No. You have to be using Windows Vista/2008 or greated to manage group policy preferences… however you can download the client side extntions for 2003/XP to enable the setting for that environment…. Its just they need to be managed from a Vista/2008 or greated environment.
Hi Alan,
thank you for you answer.
Then, if I’ve understood, I can do it by a GPO on my server Win2k3 with the client side extentions, is it right?
Could you say to me where I can download the client side extentions for 2003/XP?
Thank you very much.
This link is a page i maintain for all the relevant Group Policy files…
http://www.grouppolicy.biz/files/
This link explains how to instal the Group Policy Management Console…
http://www.grouppolicy.biz/2010/03/how-to-download-and-install-the-group-policy-management-console-gpmc/
And this is a good set of links to pages to read for more information about Group Policy Preferences…
http://www.grouppolicy.biz/2010/03/what-are-group-policy-preferences/
In summary you need to install the Client Side Extentions on XP/2003/Vista… and you need to install the Group Policy Management Console at least ONCE some where on your domain on a Vista/2008 or greater computer to manage the policy…. (NO SCHEMEA OR DOMAIN FUNCTIONAL LEVEL UPGRADE REQUIRED)….
Hope it helps..
Very well Alan!
Now I’m opening kinks and I read its.
Thank you very much and I greet you from Italy
Ops…I’ve made an error….I’ve written kinks but it was links…sorry.