Turn on Classic Shell

Supported OS tags: Windows2000, WindowsServer2003, WindowsServer2008, WindowsVista, WindowsXP

This setting allows an administrator to revert specific Windows Shell behavior to classic Shell behavior. If you enable this setting, users cannot configure their system to open items by single-clicking (such as in Mouse in Control Panel). As a result, the user interface looks and operates like the interface for Windows NT 4.0, and users cannot restore the new features. Enabling this policy will also turn off the preview pane and set the folder options for File Explorer to Use classic folders view and disable the users ability to change these options. If you disable or not configure this policy, the default File Explorer behavior is applied to the user. Note: In operating systems earlier than Windows Vista, enabling this policy will also disable the Active Desktop and Web view. This setting will also take precedence over the "Enable Active Desktop" setting. If both policies are enabled, Active Desktop is disabled. Also, see the "Disable Active Desktop" setting in User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Desktop\Active Desktop and the "Do not allow Folder Options to be opened from the Options button on the View tab of the ribbon" setting in User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\File Explorer.

This policy has no additional user input fields.

• User
  Allow only per user or approved shell extensions

  At least Windows 2000
• Computer
  Allow the use of remote paths in file shortcut icons

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• Computer
  Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• Computer
  Disable binding directly to IPropertySetStorage without intermediate layers.

  At least Windows Vista
• User
  Disable binding directly to IPropertySetStorage without intermediate layers.

  At least Windows Vista
• User
  Disable Known Folders

  At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
• User
  Display confirmation dialog when deleting files

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems or Windows XP Professional
• User
  Display the menu bar in File Explorer

  At least Windows Vista
• User
  Do not allow Folder Options to be opened from the Options button on the View tab of the ribbon

  At least Windows 2000
• Computer
  Do not apply the Mark of the Web tag to files copied from insecure sources

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• User
  Do not display the Welcome Center at user logon

  Windows Vista only
• User
  Do not move deleted files to the Recycle Bin

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems or Windows XP Professional