How to Remove Folder Options from Tools Menu in Windows XP

‘Folder Options’ in Windows Explorer is a very useful utility, we use it to hide our important files and folders. This prevents unauthorized access to our important data. But the people who know about Folder Options can un-hide or see your hidden files and folders. So, it would be better to remove the Folder Options menu item from the Tools Menu.

In this tutorial, we will show you how to remove the Folder Options menu item from the Tools menu in Windows Explorer of Windows XP. This will prevent access to Folder Options from Windows Explorer.

SEE ALSO: How to Install Windows XP on your PC?

Remove ‘Folder Options’ from the Tools Menu in Windows XP

To hide the Folder Options menu item from the Tools menu, just follow these steps.

Step 1: Open Group Policy Editor

We will be using Group Policy Editor for this purpose. First, go to Start, and select Run. In the Run window, type gpedit.msc and press Enter.

Go to RUN, type gpedit.msc and press Enter
Go to RUN, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter

In Group Policy Editor go to the following path-

User Configuration > Administrative templates > Windows Component > Windows Explorer 
Open Windows Explorer Settings in Group Policy Editor
Open Windows Explorer Settings in Group Policy Editor

Step 2: Remove Folder Options from Tools Menu

In the right pane, select the third option “Removes the Folder Options menu item from the Tools menu“.

Setting to Remove Folder Options in Windows XP
Setting to Remove Folder Options in Windows XP

Double-click on Removes the Folder Options menu item from the Tools menu, in the right pane. In the newly opened window click on the Radio button next to the Enabled option and then click on Apply and OK. Now close all open windows.

Enable the Setting to Remove Folder Options from Tools Menu
Enable the Setting to Remove Folder Options from the Tools Menu

Step 3: Restart the Computer to Make Changes Effective

Now Restart or log off Windows XP. Login again and open My Computer. Next, click on the Tools menu, and see there is no Folder Options menu item. It has been removed.

Folder Options Removed from Tools Menu Windows XP
Folder Options Removed from Tools Menu Windows XP

Step 4: Undo Changes (Get Folder Options Back)

To show Folder Options in the Tools menu again, just follow the same steps and set the policy to Disabled or Not Configured. Finally, click on Apply and then OK. Restart or log off your Windows XP and you will again see Folder Options in the Tools menu.

Folder Options Menu Item in Tools Menu
Folder Options Menu Item in Tools Menu

SEE ALSO: How to Reset User Password on Windows XP?

Hide ‘Folder Options’ from the Tools Menu in Windows XP

Using the above tutorial, you can easily hide or show the Folder Options menu item in the Tools menu in Windows XP. Using this simple method, you can prevent access to your hidden files by an unauthorized person.

Hope you liked this tutorial. In case you have any problems, ideas, or suggestions, feel free to write in the comments below. You may also subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest tutorials directly into your inbox.

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