Users can launch programs, run commands, open folders, etc. from the Run dialog box. Knowing this, you can probably see how it could be used to make unwanted changes to your computer. Although it is useful to have the Run dialog box on the Start Menu, it is one of those things that when used incorrectly, can have negative effects.

If you are concerned about users having accessing to the Run dialog box, you can disable access to it using the steps described below.

1. Open the Group Policy Editor.
2. Navigate to User Configuration / Administrative Templates / Start Menu and Taskbar.
3. In the details pane, enable the Remove run from Start Menu policy option.
4. Restart your computer or type gpupdate /force at the command prompt.

Keep in mind that by disabling access to the Run dialog, you also disable the following actions:

• Clicking Run on the Start Menu
• Accessing all local drives and folders
• Using WINKEY+R to launch the Run dialog
• Using Task Manager to run a New Task command