Enabling Group Policy editor on Windows 10 Home

To enable the Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc) on a computer running Windows 10 Home, you’ll need to follow a series of steps because the Group Policy Editor is not included by default in the Home edition of Windows. However, you can manually install and enable it. If you are getting error message below, simply follow the steps below of how to install Group Policy Editor.

Error Message

Windows cannot find ‘gpedit.msc’.  Make sure you’ve typed the name correctly, then try again

Method 1: Use a Batch File to Enable Group Policy Editor

1. Create a Batch File:
   • Open Notepad.
   • Copy and paste the following script into Notepad:
     @echo off
pushd "%~dp0"
dir /b %SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientExtensions-Package~3*.mum >gpedit.txt
dir /b %SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientTools-Package~3*.mum >>gpedit.txt
for /f %%i in ('findstr /i . gpedit.txt 2^>nul') do dism /online /norestart /add-package:"%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\%%i"
pause

2. Save the File:
   • Go to File > Save As and name the file gpedit-install.bat.
   • Under “Save as type,” select All Files and save the file to your desktop.
3. Run the Batch File as Administrator:
   • Right-click the gpedit-install.bat file you just created and select Run as administrator.
   • This will install the Group Policy Editor on your Windows 10 Home system.
4. Check if gpedit.msc is Working:
   • Once the installation is complete, press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
   • The Group Policy Editor should now open.

Method 2: Use Third-Party Tools (Optional)

Alternatively, there are third-party tools that can automatically install the Group Policy Editor, but they may involve some risk, and it’s always better to use built-in methods when possible.

In a command prompt (make sure it’s running as administrator), enter the following two commands.

FOR %F IN ("%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientTools-Package~*.mum") DO (
DISM /Online /NoRestart /Add-Package:"%F")

FOR %F IN ("%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientExtensions-Package~*.mum") DO (DISM /Online /NoRestart /Add-Package:"%F")

A nice tool that you can use to edit group policy is also available at GitHub..  It’s called PolicyPlus.  Click here to download it