Group policy can be easily disabled in safe mode on a Microsoft Windows 7/Vista/XP--based computer using the Registry Editor. After it is disabled, you will not be able to change any policies related to any user account on your computer. You should have administrator privileges on your computer for this purpose.

Start your computer and then press and hold the key on your keyboard that takes your computer to safe mode. It is usually a function key and varies from one computer manufacturer to another.

  • Group policy can be easily disabled in safe mode on a Microsoft Windows 7/Vista/XP--based computer using the Registry Editor.
  • Start your computer and then press and hold the key on your keyboard that takes your computer to safe mode.

Click "Start," type "regedit" in the Search box, and then press "Enter" on Windows 7/Vista. On Windows XP, click "Start," click "Run," type "regedit" in the Run dialogue box that opens and then press "Enter."

Double-click "Computer" folder to expand it on the left pane of the Registry Editor window that opens.

Double-click "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" to expand it.

Double-click "SOFTWARE" to expand it.

Double-click "Policies" to expand it.

Double-click "Microsoft" to expand it.

  • Double-click "Computer" folder to expand it on the left pane of the Registry Editor window that opens.
  • Double-click "Microsoft" to expand it.

Double-click "Windows" to expand it.

Click the "System" folder.

Click "Edit" menu, point to "New" and then click "DWORD (32-bit) Value" option.

Type "DisableGPO" as the name of the new DWORD key.

Double-click the "DisableGPO" key, type "1" in the Value data box on the dialogue box that opens and then click "OK."

Close the Registry Editor and then restart your computer.