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Protected registry keys?

Halifax Crosby 80 Reputation points
2025-11-27T23:37:49.7266667+00:00

Hello,

I prepared some Windows customization scripts to save time on each install, recently, some registry keys seem to get protected, while they are not sensitive security areas, simply desktop customization keys per user, few samples:

HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Feeds > ShellFeedsTaskbarViewMode
or
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced > TaskbarDa

These are just to customize the desktop/taskbar context menu to restore the old view, nothing sensitive!

Making an ugly hard to use design, just like Windows 8/Vista and then forcing it does not seem to be right, I hope there's a workaround to set those keys, since simply gaining the owner will not allow me to save new values.

Any help is highly appreciated :)

Windows development | Windows API - Win32

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  1. Jack Dang (WICLOUD CORPORATION) 4,945 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-11-28T06:46:44.31+00:00

    Hi @Halifax Crosby ,

    Thanks for reaching out.

    I understand you want to restore the old taskbar view and customize taskbar/Feeds behavior through scripts. In recent Windows builds, Widgets/Feeds and other taskbar UI elements are handled by the Windows Shell and Windows Feature Experience Pack. Many registry values that previously controlled these behaviors - like ShellFeedsTaskbarViewMode or TaskbarDa - are now system-managed. They still exist in the registry but no longer act as writable switches. Even taking ownership of the keys does not allow changes, because the Shell enforces the UI state at runtime.

    Official documentation on the Feature Experience Pack:

    https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/whats-new/whats-new-windows-11-version-22h2#feature-experience-pack-updates

    Supported ways to manage taskbar behavior:

    Because these settings are enforced by shell and policy-backed components, registry edits are reverted when Explorer restarts or the user signs in. Tweaks that worked in older builds are no longer reliable or supported.

    Recommended approach:

    1. Use supported Group Policy or MDM/CSP settings if available.
    2. Use Taskbar layout XML for layout-related customizations.
    3. If no policy exists, the behavior cannot be overridden - Windows intentionally blocks registry modifications.

    At this time, there is no supported method to force-set these shell UI values through the registry.

    Hope this helps! If my answer was helpful - kindly follow the instructions here so others with the same problem can benefit as well.

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