Prevent configuration of new tab creation: registry value OpenInForegroundUserHKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing

Policy ID: TabOpenInFgndBgnd
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

OpenInForeground

REG_DWORDUserComputer

…\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsingHKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing Current key
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing

Enabled value: Depends on the option value
Element: Select tab opening position

Options
Item	Stored value
Foreground	1
Background	0

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

UserPer-account setting

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing]

; Options (use only one)
; Foreground
"OpenInForeground"=dword:00000001
; Background
"OpenInForeground"=dword:00000000

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

:: Foreground
reg add "HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing" /v "OpenInForeground" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
:: Background
reg add "HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing" /v "OpenInForeground" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

PowerShell

# Common: create the key
New-Item -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing' -Force | Out-Null

# Options (use only one)
# Foreground
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing' -Name 'OpenInForeground' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
# Background
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing' -Name 'OpenInForeground' -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\TabbedBrowsing]

; Options (use only one)
; Foreground
"OpenInForeground"=dword:00000001
; Background
"OpenInForeground"=dword:00000000

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

:: Foreground
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing" /v "OpenInForeground" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
:: Background
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing" /v "OpenInForeground" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f

PowerShell

# Common: create the key
New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing' -Force | Out-Null

# Options (use only one)
# Foreground
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing' -Name 'OpenInForeground' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
# Background
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\TabbedBrowsing' -Name 'OpenInForeground' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null