How to Block Users From Installing Software in Windows 10/8/7

If the user desire to stop or prevent any user from installing third-party software on Windows 10,8.1,8,7 can follow the below mentioned two methods. By doing this way, you shall not only block the unnecessary installation but also keep your computer from various privacy and security risks. Moreover, you will also stop degrading your computer’s performance and even control the behavior of the Windows Installer. So let’s start the guide and follow step by step process to turn off Windows Installer using local group policy and registry tweak.

Note: To go ahead with the below two methods, the users need to ensure that they have logged in Windows 10 with administrator rights.
Method 1. Turn off Windows Installer To Stop Software Installation via Local Group Policy Editor
Using Group Policy Editor to turn off the Windows Installer is the simplest way to prevent the user from Software installation.
1. First of all, you must click on the Windows Key+ R open the Run dialogue box. Next, you need to enter gpedit.msc in the search dialogue box and tap on the Enter key to open the GPO

2. Once you are on the GPO windows screen, then you must follow the below path, such as
Computer Configuration– > Administrative Templates– > Windows Components –> Windows Installer available on the left side.

3. Now you must look at the right-hand side pane, look for the Turn off Windows Installer policy name.

4. After that, double click on it and wait for a few seconds to open the Disable Windows Installer screen. Here you have to select the Enabled option.
5. Now, you will find the descriptions in the information Windows that say by enabling this, the program will prevent users from installing software on their systems.
6. Again head to “Options section” in the bottom, which shows options such as Always, For non -managed applications only and Never.

• Always- Disables Windows Installer entirely
• Non-Managed Applications-Users can only install programs assigned to the desktop by the administrator
• Never -Enables for all users

So, in the above case choosing the Always option is the best way to turn off Widows uninstaller.
7. Finally, the user has to click on Apply and then the OK button. Now exit the GPO editor.

Therefore, whenever you run a Windows installer package with a Msi file extension. It will show an error message, The system administrator has set policies to prevent software installation.

Method 2. Prevent Users from software installation via Registry Editor 
Not only the above method will be helpful to disable or turn off the Windows Installer and restrict the users from installing the software. But also you can use the registry editor, or regedit to block software installations. Well, Registry is a very critical Windows component, so the users must be careful whenever they tweak the Windows Registry. We advise users to follow the below-mentioned process cautiously change or edit the Registry that we have specified to avoid the issues. Moreover, before proceeding with the below method, we suggest you back up your Windows Registry.
1. Pressing the Windows Key+ R on the keyboard. you type the regedit in the box to search and click the Enter button.

2.If you get the User Account Control window, then you have to click on Yes or Continue button (It displays a popup message asking for the permission to make changes to your computer)
3. Next, you must proceed with the following path or keys.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Classes\Msi.Package\DefaultIcon

4. Now, on the right side, you have to Right-click on the Default key and choose Edit / Modify option.

5. A pop-up window appears where you have to set the value from 0 to 1 to disable Windows Installer (msiexec.exe).

Finally, exit the Registry Editor and restart the Windows to allow the changes to take effect.
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