Fix “This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer” Error

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Yesterday I removed some malware called ThinkPoint from a coworker?s laptop. After removing the virus and installing Microsoft Security Essentials I received a ?this operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer? error:

This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer

This error occurs when someone or some thing has blocked an application from running on your computer. On a corporate network it may be a policy set by your administrator. If you see this error at home, it?s almost always because a virus has restricted you from running programs you may use to remove it.

Fixing ?This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer?

There are two ways in which programs can be restricted in Windows. The first is through the Registry. The second is through Group Policy. Try the Registry method firs, and if it doesn?t fix the problem try the Group Policy method.

Fixing the Registry

Programs can be kept from running by adding them to a key called DisallowRun in the Windows Registry. To remove these restrictions, follow the following steps.

1. Open regedit by clicking your start button and typing regedit and pressing enter. On Windows XP, Click Start, then run, then type regedit.
2. Find HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftWindowsCurrentVersionPoliciesExplorer and delete the key called DisallowRun.

Fixing Group Policy

Applications can also be kept from executing via Group Policy. To remove these restrictions follow these instructions.

1. Open Local Group Policy Editor by clicking Start and typing gpedit.msc.
2. Expand User Configuration.
3. Expand Administrative Templates.
4. Expand System.
5. On the right-hand side locate a setting called Don?t run specified Windows applications. Double-click that setting and change it to Not Configured.