Apps Install PowerToys Group Policies in Windows 10 and 11


PowerToys_banner.webp

This tutorial will show you how to download and install the latest administrative templates (ADMX files) that allows you to configure PowerToys using Group Policies in Windows 10 and Windows 11.

Microsoft PowerToys is a set of utilities for power users to tune and streamline their Windows experience for greater productivity.

Installing the latest administrative templates (ADMX files) for PowerToys will add policies to the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) in Windows to configure PowerToys with.

You will find the policies under Administrative Templates > Microsoft PowerToys in both the Computer Configuration and User Configuration folders. If both settings are configured, the setting in Computer Configuration takes precedence over the setting in User Configuration.

Reference:
learn.microsoft.com

PowerToys Group Policy

Group policy documentation for PowerToys
learn.microsoft.com

The Local Group Policy Editor is only available in the Windows 10/11 Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.


You must be signed in as an administrator to install PowerToys Group Policies



EXAMPLE: PowerToys policies in Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)

PowerToys_Computer_Configuration_group_policies.webp
PowerToys_User_Configuration_group_policies.webp




Here's How:

1 Click/tap on the Download button below to go to the PowerToys releases page on github:


2 Under Assets for the latest release of PowerToys, click/tap on the GroupPolicyObjectsFiles-<Version>.zip file to download it. (see screenshot below)

Install_PowerToys_group_policies-1.webp

3 Unblock the downloaded GroupPolicyObjectsFiles-<Version>.zip file. (see screenshot below)

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Install_PowerToys_group_policies-2.webp

4 Extract All the downloaded GroupPolicyObjectsFiles-<Version>.zip file. (see screenshots below)

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Install_PowerToys_group_policies-3.webp
Install_PowerToys_group_policies-4.webp

5 Open the extracted GroupPolicyObjectsFiles-<Version> folder. (see screenshot below)

Install_PowerToys_group_policies-5.webp

6 Open a separate File Explorer (Win+E) window, and open the C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions folder. (see right screenshot below step 7)

7 Copy the PowerToys.admx file from the GroupPolicyObjectsFiles-<Version> folder into the C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions folder. (see screenshots below)

If you want to undo this, you would just need to delete the PowerToys.admx file in the C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions folder.


Install_PowerToys_group_policies-6.webp
Install_PowerToys_group_policies-7.webp

8 Click/tap on Continue to approve. (see screenshot below)

Install_PowerToys_group_policies-8.webp

9 Open the language folder (ex: "en-US") in the extracted GroupPolicyObjectsFiles-<Version> folder. (see screenshot below)

Install_PowerToys_group_policies-9.webp

10 In the separate File Explorer (Win+E) window, open the C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US (matching language) folder. (see right screenshot below step 11)

11 Copy the PowerToys.adml file from the GroupPolicyObjectsFiles-<Version>\en-US folder into the C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US folder. (see screenshots below)

If you want to undo this, you would just need to delete the PowerToys.adml file in the C:\Windows\PolicyDefinitions\en-US folder.


Install_PowerToys_group_policies-10.webp
Install_PowerToys_group_policies-11.webp

12 Click/tap on Continue to approve. (see screenshot below)

Install_PowerToys_group_policies-8.webp

13 You can now close all File Explorer windows opened for this. The policies will now be available in the Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc).


That's it,
Shawn Brink

Related Tutorials

 

Attachments

  • Install_PowerToys_group_policies-12.webp
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Last edited:
Click to expand...
Here's a little PowerShell to download the latest version at any given time. The files will be extracted to the user's temp directory, and an Explorer window opened to that folder when the download finishes.

Powershell: 
Set-StrictMode -Version 'latest'

$latestReleaseJson = Invoke-WebRequest -UseBasicParsing -Uri 'https://api.github.com/repos/Microsoft/PowerToys/releases/latest' | ConvertFrom-Json

if ($null -ne $latestReleaseJson)
{
    [string]$latestReleaseVersion = $latestReleaseJson.tag_name
    Write-Host "latest release: `"$($latestReleaseVersion)`""
    if (($null -ne $latestReleaseJson.assets) -and ($latestReleaseJson.assets.Count -gt 0))
    {
        $latestReleaseJson.assets |
        ForEach-Object { Write-Output ([PSCustomObject]$_) } |
        Where-Object { ($_.content_type -eq 'application/x-zip-compressed') -and ($_.name -like '*GroupPolicy*') } |
        ForEach-Object {
            [string]$templateDownloadFilePath = Join-Path -Path ([IO.Path]::GetTempPath()) -ChildPath (Split-Path -Path $_.browser_download_url -Leaf)
            Invoke-WebRequest -Uri $_.browser_download_url -ContentType $_.content_type -OutFile $templateDownloadFilePath
            if (Test-Path -Path $templateDownloadFilePath)
            {
                [string]$workingFolderPath = Join-Path ([IO.Path]::GetTempPath()) "PowerToys $($latestReleaseVersion) Group Policy Templates"
                Write-Host "extracting files to `"$($workingFolderPath)`""

                Unblock-File -Path $templateDownloadFilePath
                Expand-Archive -Path $templateDownloadFilePath -DestinationPath $workingFolderPath -Force
                if (Test-Path -Path $workingFolderPath) { Start-Process -FilePath 'explorer.exe' -ArgumentList @($workingFolderPath) }
            }
        }
    }
}
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 24H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel NUC12WSHi7
    CPU
    12th Gen Intel Core i7-1260P, 2100 MHz
    Motherboard
    NUC12WSBi7
    Memory
    64 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe
    Sound Card
    built-in Realtek HD audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Dell U3219Q
    Screen Resolution
    3840x2160 @ 60Hz
    Hard Drives
    Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB
    Keyboard
    CODE 104-Key Mechanical with Cherry MX Clears
    Antivirus
    Microsoft Defender
  • Operating System
    Linux Mint 21.2 (Cinnamon)
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Intel NUC8i5BEH
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8259U CPU @ 2.30GHz
    Memory
    32 GB
    Graphics card(s)
    Iris Plus 655
    Keyboard
    CODE 104-Key Mechanical with Cherry MX Clears
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