New Windows 11 Pro user - which Group Policy Editor options do you recommend?


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Omnimaxus

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Hi to everyone. I am a new Windows 11 Pro user. I am just about done installing all of my applications and have customized my Start11 menu (and taskbar) the way I want it to be. (Note I said "Start11," meaning the Start Menu program from Stardock; I do not use the regular Windows 11 Start Menu itself.) I have never used Windows 11 Pro before. I have used "Pro" versions of Windows before, like Windows 2000 Professional (the best OS Microsoft ever came out with, IMHO - clean, simple, and stable as heck).

But not for Windows 11. I have not touched the Group Policy Editor yet. It's one of the reasons why I got Windows 11 Pro. My question is, what settings do you recommend to change to help with privacy, with Windows Update (such as to disable "preview" updates, for example - these have caused problems for me before), to help have as "clean" of a Windows experience as possible, and so on? I'm hoping there's at least a few folks on here who can help. Thank you in advance to those who help. Appreciate it.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Really GPE is more for use by IT departments to restrict User access to various items and force security constraints
e.g. preventing a user to bypass passwords, prevent installation of unauthorised software etc., prevent usb drives being used etc.

For an ordinary domestic consumer, there is generally little need to invoke such restrictions on the main user admin account, but one might want to put restrictions on standard accounts e.g. for minors.

It is hard to be specific about any particular setting as every user is different.

In the end, go through the various settings and read descriptions and decide if they are of use to you.

I have only a couple out of the hundreds actually setup e.g. one is to dismiss the lockscreen and jumping directly to the login screen, as I find it irritating to dismiss a screen that is (imo) pointless.

By and large, the defaults are sensibly set up to allow domestic users to have full access to functions.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ16 GB solderedIntegrated Intel Iris XE
OS
Windows 11 Pro + Win11 Canary VM.
Computer type
Laptop
Manufacturer/Model
ASUS Zenbook 14
CPU
I9 13th gen i9-13900H 2.60 GHZ
Motherboard
Yep, Laptop has one.
Memory
16 GB soldered
Graphics Card(s)
Integrated Intel Iris XE
Sound Card
Realtek built in
Monitor(s) Displays
laptop OLED screen
Screen Resolution
2880x1800 touchscreen
Hard Drives
1 TB NVME SSD (only weakness is only one slot)
PSU
Internal + 65W thunderbolt USB4 charger
Case
Yep, got one
Cooling
Stella Artois (UK pint cans - 568 ml) - extra cost.
Keyboard
Built in UK keybd
Mouse
Bluetooth , wireless dongled, wired
Internet Speed
900 mbs (ethernet), wifi 6 typical 350-450 mb/s both up and down
Browser
Edge
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Defender
Other Info
TPM 2.0, 2xUSB4 thunderbolt, 1xUsb3 (usb a), 1xUsb-c, hdmi out, 3.5 mm audio out/in combo, ASUS backlit trackpad (inc. switchable number pad)

Macrium Reflect Home V8
Office 365 Family (6 users each 1TB onedrive space)
Hyper-V (a vm runs almost as fast as my older laptop)
I had Win 2000, there was no Pro or Home. It was at the time of Windows ME for consumers. WinXP was the start of the difference between Home and Pro and the Pro was the first for 64-bit/x64 computers.

I seldom have need for many of the Group Policies on my Pro machines as I'm only on a LAN, not a Server-base network and both Home and Pro work for my use.

When installing Windows the choice of use is based upon the licensing that OEMs use when building or what a DIY buys when building their own. The software used contains both Home and Pro and again what is used is based upon the licensing.
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz12GB
    OS
    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 3400
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 11th Gen. 2.40GHz
    Memory
    12GB
    Hard Drives
    256GB SSD NVMe M.2

  • At a glance

    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz16GBOnboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA a...
    Operating System
    Win11 Pro RTM Version 24H2 Build 26100.4202
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Vostro 5890
    CPU
    Intel Core i5 10th Gen. 2.90GHz
    Memory
    16GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Onboard, no VGA, using a DisplayPort-to-VGA adapter
    Monitor(s) Displays
    24" Dell
    Hard Drives
    512GB SSD NVMe, 4TB Seagate HDD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender/Microsoft Security
Berton said:
I had Win 2000, there was no Pro or Home. It was at the time of Windows ME for consumers. WinXP was the start of the difference between Home and Pro and the Pro was the first for 64-bit/x64 computers.
Click to expand...
There was a Pro for Windows 2000, along with three server editions.
 

My Computer My Computer

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Win11 Ent. 25H2
OS
Win11 Ent. 25H2

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 26H2 26300.9711Intel® Core™ i7-14700KG.SKILL Ripjaws S5 Series 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5ASUS GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB
    OS
    Win 11 Pro 26H2 26300.9711
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i7-14700K
    Motherboard
    ASUS TUF Z690-PLUS WIFI (BIOS 4601)
    Memory
    G.SKILL Ripjaws S5 Series 64GB (2 x 32GB) DDR5
    Graphics Card(s)
    ASUS GeForce RTX 4070 Super 12GB
    Sound Card
    Sound Blaster AE-5 Plus
    Monitor(s) Displays
    ASUS TUF Gaming 27" 2K HDR Gaming
    Screen Resolution
    2560 x 1440
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 990 Pro 1TB NVMe (Win 11 25H2)
    SK hynix P41 500GB NVMe
    SK hynix P41 2TB NVMe (x3)
    Crucial P3 Plus 4TB
    PSU
    Corsair RM850x Shift
    Case
    Antec Dark Phantom DP502 FLUX
    Cooling
    Corsair Nautilus 360 RS AIO
    Keyboard
    Logitech MK 320
    Mouse
    Razer Basilisk V3
    Internet Speed
    750Mbs
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Winows Security
    Other Info
    MR 8.1 Home

  • At a glance

    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26300.9711Intel Core i5-1140064 GB DDR4MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12GB
    Operating System
    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26300.9711
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-11400
    Motherboard
    Asus TUF Gaming Z590 Plus WiFi (BIOS 2803)
    Memory
    64 GB DDR4
    Graphics card(s)
    MSI GeForce RTX 3060 Ventus 2X 12GB
    Sound Card
    SoundBlaster Audigy Fx V2
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Samsung F27T350
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 980 Pro 1TB
    Samsung 970 EVO Plus 2TB
    Samsung 870 EVO 500GB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair HX750
    Case
    Cougar MX330-G Window
    Cooling
    Thermalright Frozen Edge 240 Black AIO
    Internet Speed
    350Mbps
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Windows Security
  • System Three
    Win 11 Pro 25H2 26300.9711
    ASUS PRIME Z370-P II BIOS 3004 7/12/21
    Intel Core i7-8700 CPU @ 3.20GHz
    32GB DDR4 RAM (4x8)
    Samsung 980 Pro 500 GB
    SK hynix P41 1 TB
    EVGA RTX 2060 (used)
    iGPU Intel UHD Graphics 630 (backup)
    Cooler Master Hyper 212
    Mid-Tower Desktop
I agree. There's no way we can tell you what group policy settings would need to be set for YOU. For most things, you do not need GP.(although for some you do)
I suggest you use the tutorial section of this forum. Find the tutorial for what you want to do, Brink gives instructions within each tutorial for using either GPO, reg file, or even Windows settings to accomplish what you want. The tutorial section is in alphabetical order, by category, or by search. I suggest you use windows settings whenever possible. Just be sure to keep record of whatever changes you make. I also suggest you make a system image before you start changing things.
If you can't find a tutorial for a particular wanted change, report back and we can point you to the correct one to accomplish whatever it is you want.

For example to disable "preview" updates,
www.elevenforum.com

Enable or Disable Get Latest Updates as soon as available in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off "Get the latest updates as soon as they are available" in Windows 11. Starting with Windows 11 build 22621.1635, Microsoft added a new "Get the latest updates as soon as they are available" toggle under Settings > Windows Update. When you turn...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 26H2 26300.9457i9-10900 10 core 20 threads32 gbnone-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 26H2 26300.9457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Optiplex 7080
    CPU
    i9-10900 10 core 20 threads
    Motherboard
    DELL 0J37VM
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics Card(s)
    none-Intel UHD Graphics 630
    Sound Card
    Integrated Realtek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    2x1tb Solidigm m.2 nvme /External drives 512gb Samsung m.2 sata+2tb Kingston m2.nvme
    PSU
    500w
    Case
    MT
    Cooling
    Dell Premium
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    so slow I'm too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    #1 Edge #2 Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender+MWB Premium

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.9457AMD Ryzen 7 6800U32 gbintegrated
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2 26200.9457
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Beelink Mini PC SER5
    CPU
    AMD Ryzen 7 6800U
    Memory
    32 gb
    Graphics card(s)
    integrated
    Sound Card
    integrated
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Benq 27
    Screen Resolution
    2560x1440
    Hard Drives
    1TB Crucial nvme
    Keyboard
    Logitech wired
    Mouse
    Logitech wireless
    Internet Speed
    still too embarrassed to tell
    Browser
    Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
  • System 3 is non compliant Dell 9020 i7-4770/24gb ram Win11 PRO 26200.9457
glasskuter said:
I agree. There's no way we can tell you what group policy settings would need to be set for YOU. For most things, you do not need GP.(although for some you do)
I suggest you use the tutorial section of this forum. Find the tutorial for what you want to do, Brink gives instructions within each tutorial for using either GPO, reg file, or even Windows settings to accomplish what you want. The tutorial section is in alphabetical order, by category, or by search. I suggest you use windows settings whenever possible. Just be sure to keep record of whatever changes you make. I also suggest you make a system image before you start changing things.
If you can't find a tutorial for a particular wanted change, report back and we can point you to the correct one to accomplish whatever it is you want.

For example to disable "preview" updates,
www.elevenforum.com

Enable or Disable Get Latest Updates as soon as available in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to turn on or off "Get the latest updates as soon as they are available" in Windows 11. Starting with Windows 11 build 22621.1635, Microsoft added a new "Get the latest updates as soon as they are available" toggle under Settings > Windows Update. When you turn...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
Click to expand...

Thank you; this is helpful. I will take a look through the tutorials in due time.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Scott said:
Here's one I recommend

www.elevenforum.com

Enable or Disable Include Drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 11

This tutorial will show you how to enable or disable including drivers with Windows Updates in Windows 10 and Windows 11. Windows Update will include drivers when available in Windows 11 by default. You can enable the Do not include drivers with Windows Updates policy to not include drivers...
www.elevenforum.com www.elevenforum.com
Click to expand...

Hmm. I think I'd want to leave this one enabled. But thanks, though.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
cereberus said:
Really GPE is more for use by IT departments to restrict User access to various items and force security constraints
e.g. preventing a user to bypass passwords, prevent installation of unauthorised software etc., prevent usb drives being used etc.

For an ordinary domestic consumer, there is generally little need to invoke such restrictions on the main user admin account, but one might want to put restrictions on standard accounts e.g. for minors.

It is hard to be specific about any particular setting as every user is different.

In the end, go through the various settings and read descriptions and decide if they are of use to you.

I have only a couple out of the hundreds actually setup e.g. one is to dismiss the lockscreen and jumping directly to the login screen, as I find it irritating to dismiss a screen that is (imo) pointless.

By and large, the defaults are sensibly set up to allow domestic users to have full access to functions.
Click to expand...

I understand. Well - so far, I have telemetry and diagnostics disabled. Still on the lookout for any other useful edits to make.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Berton said:
I had Win 2000, there was no Pro or Home. It was at the time of Windows ME for consumers. WinXP was the start of the difference between Home and Pro and the Pro was the first for 64-bit/x64 computers.

I seldom have need for many of the Group Policies on my Pro machines as I'm only on a LAN, not a Server-base network and both Home and Pro work for my use.

When installing Windows the choice of use is based upon the licensing that OEMs use when building or what a DIY buys when building their own. The software used contains both Home and Pro and again what is used is based upon the licensing.
Click to expand...

Thank you for commenting.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
Omnimaxus said:
I have not touched the Group Policy Editor yet. It's one of the reasons why I got Windows 11 Pro. My question is, what settings do you recommend to change to help with privacy, with Windows Update (such as to disable "preview" updates, for example - these have caused problems for me before), to help have as "clean" of a Windows experience as possible, and so on?
Click to expand...
Preview updates are simple to deal with, same in Home as in Pro. Just turn off 'Get the latest updates as soon as they are available and they will no longer be automatically installed. They will be optional with their own separate 'Download and install' button.

There is just one group policy setting I consider as essential, I enable it on all my Pro installs: Configure Automatic Updates, enabled and set to '2 - Notify for download and auto install'. This means I will be notified by Windows Update when a new update is available, but it won't download and install until I choose to allow it.

1744323814447.webp
 

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two Other systems

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 HomeAMD Athlon Silver 3050U8GBRadeon Graphics
    OS
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Acer Aspire 3 A315-23-R9VY
    CPU
    AMD Athlon Silver 3050U
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Radeon Graphics
    Monitor(s) Displays
    laptop screen
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768 native resolution, up to 2560x1440 with Radeon Virtual Super Resolution
    Hard Drives
    1TB Samsung EVO 870 SSD (from April 2026: 250GB EVO 850)
    Internet Speed
    150 Mbps
    Browser
    Edge, Firefox
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    UPDATE - 11 April 2026: due to lid hinges starting to break up this laptop has been retired from active duty. The OS with all software and files has been migrated to my System Seven in 'Other systems' to carry on as my general purpose 'main machine'.

    I've now clean installed 25H2 and used Garlin's scripts to update Secure Boot to CA 2023 and revoke the PCA 2011 certificates. It's new role is to test secure boot issues.

    Info for 2021-2026:
    fully 'Windows 11 ready' laptop. Windows 10 C: partition migrated from my old unsupported 'main machine' then upgraded to 11. A test migration ran Insider builds for 2 months. When 11 was released on 5th October 2021 it was re-imaged back to 10 and was offered the upgrade in Windows Update on 20th October. Windows Update offered the 22H2 Feature Update on 20th September 2022. It got the 23H2 Feature Update on 4th November 2023 through Windows Update, 24H2 on 3rd October 2024 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 24H2, and 25H2 on 30th September 2025 through Windows Update by setting the Target Release Version for 25H2.

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 ProIntel® Core™ i5-520M8GB(integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Latitude E4310
    CPU
    Intel® Core™ i5-520M
    Motherboard
    0T6M8G
    Memory
    8GB
    Graphics card(s)
    (integrated graphics) Intel HD Graphics
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    500GB Crucial MX500 SSD
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    unsupported machine: Legacy bios, MBR, TPM 1.2, upgraded from W10 to W11 using W10/W11 hybrid install media workaround.

    In-place upgrade to 22H2 using ISO and a workaround.
    Feature Update to 23H2 by manually installing the Enablement Package.
    In-place upgrade to 24H2 using hybrid 23H2/24H2 install media.
    Upgraded to 25H2 by Enablement Package.
    Upgraded to 26H2 by Enablement Package.

    Also running Insider Experimental 263xx and 29xxx builds and Windows 10 as native boot .vhdx.
  • My SYSTEM THREE is a Dell Latitude 5410, i7-10610U, 32GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro.

    My SYSTEM FOUR was a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e (1st gen) type 20DA, Celeron N2930, 8GB RAM, 256GB ssd. Unsupported device. This has now been sold. It has been replaced by my System Eight.

    My SYSTEM FIVE is a Dell Latitude 3190 2-in-1, Pentium Silver N5030, 8GB RAM, 1TB NVMe ssd, supported device running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Experimental 263xx and 29xxx builds (and a few others) as a native boot .vhdx.

    My SYSTEM SIX is a Dell Latitude 5550, Core Ultra 7 165H, 64GB RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD, supported device, Windows 11 Pro, Hyper-V host machine. Updated to 25H2 on 30th September 2025.

    My SYSTEM SEVEN is a Lenovo Thinkpad T580, 1920x1080 touchscreen, Intel Core i7-8650U, 16GB RAM, 512GB NVMe SSD + 2nd 512GB NVMe SSD, a supported device for Windows 11. This is my current general purpose 'main machine'. The installed Windows 11 Home from my System One has been migrated to this machine. As its new home has an existing digital licence for Pro I've been able to upgrade the migrated OS from Home to Pro.
    29 Sept. 2026 Feature Update to 26H2 through Windows Update.

    My SYSTEM EIGHT is a 2-in-1 convertible Lenovo Yoga 11e (5th gen) type 20LN, Celeron N4120, 8GB RAM, 512GB NVMe ssd, a supported device for Windows 11. Currently running Windows 11 Pro, plus Insider Beta, Experimental 263xx and 29xxx builds as native boot vhdx.
Bree said:
Preview updates are simple to deal with, same in Home as in Pro. Just turn off 'Get the latest updates as soon as they are available and they will no longer be automatically installed. They will be optional with their own separate 'Download and install' button.

There is just one group policy setting I consider as essential, I enable it on all my Pro installs: Configure Automatic Updates, enabled and set to '2 - Notify for download and auto install'. This means I will be notified by Windows Update when a new update is available, but it won't download and install until I choose to allow it.

View attachment 130909
Click to expand...

Thank you; this is an extremely useful setting. I have enabled the policy, and set it to # 2. Excellent.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11

My Computers My Computers

System One System Two

  • At a glance

    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 build: (26200.7623)32GB
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 build: (26200.7623)
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Microsoft Surface Pro
    Memory
    32GB

  • At a glance

    Microsoft 25H2 ProIntel Core Ultra 764GBIntel Integrated Graphics
    Operating System
    Microsoft 25H2 Pro
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Dell Pro 14 - PC14250
    CPU
    Intel Core Ultra 7
    Memory
    64GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Integrated Graphics
    Hard Drives
    Micron 1TB SSD
Berton said:
I had Win 2000, there was no Pro or Home. It was at the time of Windows ME for consumers. WinXP was the start of the difference between Home and Pro and the Pro was the first for 64-bit/x64 computers.
Click to expand...

Wrong mate. Windows 2000 was released as Professional and Server editions. Windows 2k Pro SP4 - was actually my favorite Windows at the time and for the upcoming years (barely used Windows XP Pro SP3 - with next major hardware upgrade after Intel Core 2 Duo was released).
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

WinDOS 25H2Intel & AMDSO-DIMM SK Hynix 15.8 GB Dual-Channel DDR4-26...nVidia RTX 2060 6GB Mobile GPU (TU106M)
OS
WinDOS 25H2
Computer type
Laptop
CPU
Intel & AMD
Memory
SO-DIMM SK Hynix 15.8 GB Dual-Channel DDR4-2666 (2 x 8 GB) 1329MHz (19-19-19-43)
Graphics Card(s)
nVidia RTX 2060 6GB Mobile GPU (TU106M)
Sound Card
Onbord Realtek ALC1220
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
1x Samsung PM981 NVMe PCIe M.2 512GB / 1x Seagate Expansion ST1000LM035 1TB
neves said:
Wrong mate. Windows 2000 was released as Professional and Server editions. Windows 2k Pro SP4 - was actually my favorite Windows at the time and for the upcoming years (barely used Windows XP Pro SP3 - with next major hardware upgrade after Intel Core 2 Duo was released).
Click to expand...

For what it's worth, Windows XP wasn't bad. That's my take on it. It was decent, but I preferred 2000 over it. I did like Windows 7, though. If Microsoft would just go back to either Windows 2000 Professional (in terms of relative aesthetics and whatnot) or Windows 7, and took it easy with the cramming down of Microsoft stuff down our throats, then I'd be a Microsoft customer for life. EDIT: In all fairness, I must say they've made some improvements towards allowing greater user choice, like the ability to uninstall OneDrive, for example. It helps that there's software like Start11, too, to help bridge certain functionalities and the user experience together.
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11
OS
Windows 11
List of what I do.

Screenshot 2025-04-11 083311.webp
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 11 Pro
OS
Windows 11 Pro
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