How to Disable ActiveX in Another Profile

by Jason Spidle
Disabling ActiveX on other user profiles is a good way to keep your system safe.

Disabling ActiveX on other user profiles is a good way to keep your system safe.

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An ActiveX object is a small application that can be run within Internet Explorer. Typically, ActiveX is utilized for multimedia content like video or games. The most common ActiveX objects are Java and Flash. There are some risks with ActiveX and the platform is often used to spread viruses and spyware. When a web page with an ActiveX element is loaded, Internet Explorer will prompt the user to install the software if it is not already available. Disabling this feature on non-administrative Windows profiles is a good way to keep your computer safe, particularly if the other users lack the necessary computer savvy to avoid downloading malicious software.

Step 1

Log in to the user account from which you want to disable ActiveX.

Step 2

Launch the Windows "Run" prompt by pressing "Win + R" or by selecting "Run" from the Start menu.

Step 3

Enter "gpedit.msc" and click "OK."

Step 4

Select Internet Explorer from the navigational tree under "User Configuration." Internet Explorer is located in "Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Internet Explorer."

Step 5

Double-click "Turn off ActiveX opt-in prompt."

Step 6

Select "Enabled" and click "OK."

About the Author

Jason Spidle is a technology enthusiast and writer. His writing on computers, smartphones, Web design, Internet applications, sports and music has been published at a variety of websites including Salon, JunkMedia, Killed in Cars and The Columbia Free Times. Spidle maintains a number of blogs featuring poetry, short stories and other fiction.

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