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Disable outdated Edge games menu

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script disables the outdated games menu in older versions of Microsoft Edge.

The games menu in Microsoft Edge offers one-click access to various free-to-play casual and arcade games, including Microsoft Solitaire, Microsoft Jewel, Microsoft Mahjong, and the Microsoft Edge Surf Game 1. In modern versions, this menu is integrated into the sidebar 2 3.

Disabling the games menu leads to a less cluttered browser interface. Microsoft recommends this script for those favoring a streamlined browser setup without unsolicited suggestions or interruptions 3. Minimizing unnecessary features enhances security and privacy by reducing data exposure and attack surface. Moreover, removing these features can improve system performance by reducing resource usage.

This script targets older versions of Edge where games were accessible from the options menu 1. By default, this menu is enabled and accessible on these versions 2. It configures the AllowGamesMenu Edge policy to prevent access to the games menu 2 3. The change takes effect after restarting the browser 2.

Caution
  • This will display the message "Your browser is managed by your organization" on the settings page.
  • This locks settings and prevents them from being changed on the settings page.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Configure Edge category. This category contains scripts that adjust Microsoft Edge settings to enhance privacy, security, and potentially improve system performance This category is designed for Chromium-based Edge only, not for legacy Edge. Edge (Chromium) is the current version of Microsoft Edge, replacing Edge... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Disable outdated Edge games menu.
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script​

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide

  1. Click on Start menu

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Configure "AllowGamesMenu" Edge policy
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!AllowGamesMenu"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'AllowGamesMenu' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Suggest restarting Edge for changes to take effect
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$message = 'For the changes to fully take effect, please restart Microsoft Edge.'; $warn =  $false; if ($warn) { Write-Warning "^""$message"^""; } else { Write-Host "^""Note: "^"" -ForegroundColor Blue -NoNewLine; Write-Output "^""$message"^""; }"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code​

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code
:: Restore "AllowGamesMenu" Edge policy
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!AllowGamesMenu"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'AllowGamesMenu' /f 2>$null"
:: Suggest restarting Edge for changes to take effect
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$message = 'For the changes to fully take effect, please restart Microsoft Edge.'; $warn =  $false; if ($warn) { Write-Warning "^""$message"^""; } else { Write-Host "^""Note: "^"" -ForegroundColor Blue -NoNewLine; Write-Output "^""$message"^""; }"

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