Prevent Desktop Shortcut Creation: registry value DesktopShortcutComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer

Policy ID: PreventWMPDeskTopShortcut
Scope: Computer Configuration
Supported on: Windows Media Player 9 Series and later.
Source: Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category: Windows Components › Windows Media Player

Registry

DesktopShortcut

REG_SZComputer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer Current key

Enabled value: no
Disabled value: yes

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer]

; Options (use only one)
; Enabled
"DesktopShortcut"="no"
; Disabled
"DesktopShortcut"="yes"

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

:: Enabled
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer" /v "DesktopShortcut" /t REG_SZ /d "no" /f
:: Disabled
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer" /v "DesktopShortcut" /t REG_SZ /d "yes" /f

PowerShell

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

# Options (use only one)
# Enabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer' -Name 'DesktopShortcut' -PropertyType String -Value 'no' -Force | Out-Null
# Disabled
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\WindowsMediaPlayer' -Name 'DesktopShortcut' -PropertyType String -Value 'yes' -Force | Out-Null