Prevent configuration of how windows open: registry value AllowWindowReuseUserHKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- Policy ID
- NoWindowReuse
- Scope
- Computer Configuration, User Configuration
- Supported on
- At least Internet Explorer 7.0
- Source
- Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
- Category
- Windows Components › Internet Explorer
Registry
AllowWindowReuse
REG_DWORDUserComputer…\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MainHKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main Current key
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
- Enabled value
- Depends on the option value
- Element
- Select where to open links
| Item | Stored value |
|---|---|
| Open in existing Internet Explorer window | 1 |
| Open in a new Internet Explorer window | 0 |
Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell
UserPer-account setting
.reg
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main] ; Options (use only one) ; Open in existing Internet Explorer window "AllowWindowReuse"=dword:00000001 ; Open in a new Internet Explorer window "AllowWindowReuse"=dword:00000000
CMD
:: Options (use only one) :: Open in existing Internet Explorer window reg add "HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main" /v "AllowWindowReuse" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f :: Open in a new Internet Explorer window reg add "HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main" /v "AllowWindowReuse" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
PowerShell
# Common: create the key New-Item -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main' -Force | Out-Null # Options (use only one) # Open in existing Internet Explorer window New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main' -Name 'AllowWindowReuse' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null # Open in a new Internet Explorer window New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main' -Name 'AllowWindowReuse' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null
ComputerMachine-wide setting
.reg
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main] ; Options (use only one) ; Open in existing Internet Explorer window "AllowWindowReuse"=dword:00000001 ; Open in a new Internet Explorer window "AllowWindowReuse"=dword:00000000
CMD
:: Options (use only one) :: Open in existing Internet Explorer window reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main" /v "AllowWindowReuse" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f :: Open in a new Internet Explorer window reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main" /v "AllowWindowReuse" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
PowerShell
# Common: create the key New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main' -Force | Out-Null # Options (use only one) # Open in existing Internet Explorer window New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main' -Name 'AllowWindowReuse' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null # Open in a new Internet Explorer window New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main' -Name 'AllowWindowReuse' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null