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Remove "Program Compatibility" tab from file properties (context menu)

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
  • Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
  • Impact: Medium

    System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Moderate

    This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.

    This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script.
  • Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
  • Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
  • Fully reversible

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

    The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.

Overview​

This script removes the "Program Compatibility" tab from the file properties context menu. This tab is visible on the property context menu of any program shortcut or executable file, and displays options that can be applied to the application to solve common issues affecting older applications 1.

When enabled, this script prevents the compatibility property page from appearing in the context menus, though it does not impact any prior compatibility settings applied to applications through this interface 1.

This script achieves its functionality by modifying a specific registry key: HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat!DisablePropPage 1.

This setting is often used in organizational environments to prevent end-users from modifying the compatibility settings of applications. It ensures that applications operate with the settings considered most suitable by the system administrator or IT department. This restriction aids in upholding system stability and security by ensuring users cannot run applications in modes recognized to be insecure or unstable.

This script assists in upholding a more secure and stable environment by barring unauthorized changes to application compatibility settings. The security benefits include:

  • Restricting User Actions: By limiting the actions that a user can perform, administrators can prevent unintended security vulnerabilities. Users may inadvertently (or intentionally) choose settings that could expose the system to risks, and this script helps in preventing such scenarios.
  • Maintaining Known Configurations: By ensuring that applications can only run in certain compatibility modes, administrators can more effectively manage and secure their environments. They can thoroughly test and verify the security of the allowed configurations, leading to a more robust security posture.
  • Preventing Exploitation of Vulnerabilities: Some compatibility settings might make applications run in a less secure mode to maintain compatibility with older software or systems. Preventing users from enabling such settings can help in avoiding potential vulnerabilities associated with these modes.

By preventing users from changing compatibility settings, you could prevent them from selecting settings that send additional data to software vendors (for example, certain compatibility modes might enable additional telemetry or error reporting). Though primarily aimed at control and stability, this restriction indirectly contributes to privacy protection by reducing potential unwanted data transmission.

Use with Caution

This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.

Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.

This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.

Sources
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

Apply Now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

Download script​

Download and run the script directly
  • No app needed
  • Offline usage
  • Easy-to-apply
  • Free
  • Open-source
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove "Program Compatibility" tab from file properties (context menu)" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 5

    Restart

    Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.

Apply with privacy.sexy​

Guided, automated application with safety checks
  • Recommended for most users
  • Includes safety checks
  • Free
  • Open-source
  • Popular
  • Offline/Online usage
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove "Program Compatibility" tab from file properties (context menu)" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Remove "Program Compatibility" tab from file properties (context menu)
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 3

    Run

    Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.

    This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat!DisablePropPage"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppCompat' /v 'DisablePropPage' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
Help

How to apply or restore "Remove "Program Compatibility" tab from file properties (context menu)" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.

These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

This category disables the Application Compatibility (AppCompat) framework on Windows. The Application Compatibility (AppCompat) framework is a feature in Windows ...
Visit category page

Same Goal​

Other guides in Disable Application Compatibility Framework 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

Disable Program Compatibility Assistant (PCA)
Disable Application Impact Telemetry (AIT)
Disable Application Compatibility Engine
Disable Steps Recorder (collects screenshots, mouse/keyboard input and UI data)
Disable "Inventory Collector" task

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

Reviewed By​

This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:

  • Expert review by undergroundwires​

    • Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
    • Assessed system impact and user privacy risks

  • Public review by large community​

    • Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
    • Millions of end-users tested across different environments

History​

We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.

Review Change History Our Change Process