Fix This Program Is Blocked by Group Policy windows 10

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Getting This Program Is Blocked by Group Policy error while trying to open an application or while performing a Task on Windows 7/8/10 computer? This error message states that the particular application can’t be opened because this Program is Blocked by Group Policy. The problem can be related to opening Antivirus software, Software on USB Device, or while trying to access Windows executable files. Depending on users system configuration they can face the following error:

The program is blocked by group policy. For more information contact your system administrator.  (Error Code: 0x00704ec)

This problem mostly Cause Virus malware or ransomware infection. User who enables the Software Restriction Policy and then forgets about it or when another application. Or some bug somehow allows the Software Restriction Policy etc.

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Fix This Program Is Blocked by Group Policy

After understanding the problem and the reason behind the issue let’s perform the below steps to get rid of This Program Is Blocked by Group Policy error on Windows 10/8.1 and 7 computers. Create A system restore point is the best exercise before Apply bellow solutions.

Run CCleaner and Malwarebytes

To Deal with issues like This First make sure your system is fully optimized, Not infected with virus or malware infection and have installed the latest windows updates. First, check and install the latest windows updates from settings -> update & security -> windows update and check for update this will check and install the latest windows updates which help to fix system bugs. Download and install CCleaner & good antivirus like Malwarebytes and perform full system scan to check and remove harmful files. Again with help of the Ccleaner tool clear system junk, Cache, Cookies, system error files etc and Fix missing, Broken registry errors.

Also, Check And Fix Corrupted system files using the System file checker utility then After Restart your PC to get a fresh start. This would Fix This Program Is Blocked by Group Policy error but if it didn’t then continue to the next method.

Perform a Clean Boot

Again if any 3rd party software conflicts with other applications, this can cause the application block error. In order to Fix This Program Is Blocked by Group Policy error, you need to perform a clean boot on your PC which helps to find and diagnose the issue.

Disable the Software Restriction Policy

Open Command Prompt As Administrator and type below command to Disable the Software Restriction Policy.

REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Safer\CodeIdentifiers\ /v DefaultLevel /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00040000 /f

Or Simply open Notepad, And type REG ADD HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Safer\CodeIdentifiers\ /v DefaultLevel /t REG_DWORD /d 0x00040000 /f. Then press Ctrl + s to save the file, Select the desire location to save the file. Then change the Save as the type and then click on All Files and name the file as your wish but end it with a .BAT extension. For example, Disable the Software Restriction Policy.bat and click on Save.

Now Navigate to the location where you saved the .BAT file and double click on it to launch it. If asked to confirm the action in a popup, confirm it.

The .BAT file will launch a Command Prompt and execute the command programmed into it. This only takes a couple of seconds on even the slowest of computers. Once the .BAT file is done running the command and the Command Prompt has been closed. Now restart your computer to give a fresh start and check This Program Is Blocked by Group Policy is resolved.

Tweak and Delete Some Registry Keys

Note: registry Is an essential part of windows, any wrong modification causes a serious issue. So we recommend backup current registry before make any changes.

Press the Windows key + R, Type regedit and hit the enter key. Now on the left pane of Registry Editor navigate to the following directory :

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > Software > Policies

In the left pane, locate and right-click on the Microsoft sub-key under the Policies registry key, click on Delete in the context menu and click on Yes in the resulting popup to confirm the action.

In the left pane of the Registry Editor, navigate to the following directory:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Policies

In the left pane, locate and right-click on the Microsoft sub-key under the Policies registry key, click on Delete in the context menu and click on Yes in the resulting popup to confirm the action.

In the left pane of the Registry Editor, navigate to the following directory:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft Windows > CurrentVersion

In the left pane, locate and right-click on the Group Policy Objects sub-key under the CurrentVersion registry key, click on Delete in the context menu and click on Yes in the resulting popup to confirm the action.

In the left pane of the Registry Editor, navigate to the following directory:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft Windows > CurrentVersion

In the left pane, locate and right-click on the Policies sub-key under the CurrentVersion registry key, click on Delete in the context menu and click on Yes in the resulting popup to confirm the action. That’s All Now Close the Registry Editor, and Restart the computer.

Disable Symantec Endpoint Protection

Also, Some Users Report Disable Symantec Endpoint protection helps them to fix applications blocked by group policy issue. Symantec Endpoint Protection is an Application and Device Control function where there is a setting to Block All Programs from running from removable media. Now Symantec edits the registry in order to block programs that explain why users see a generic Windows error rather than from Symantec itself.

Launch the Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager -> navigate to Application and Device
Control -> on left-hand menu click on Application Control. Here Make sure to uncheck “Block programs from running from removable drives.“ Save changes and close Symantec Endpoint Protection Manager. Now Reboot your PC  and check the issue resolved.

Create a New User Account

If all the above methods failed to fix the issue, Then Create A new User account, With Fresh Users profile check the issue get resolved or not. To create a new user account open Settings -> Accounts -> Family & other people tab -> click Add someone else to this PC under Other people.

Now click I don’t have this person’s sign-in information at the bottom and select Add a user without a Microsoft account at the bottom.

Type the username and password for the new account, click Next and finish. Then after Sign in with this new user account check, there is no more This Program Is Blocked by Group Policy Error while running applications. That means the problem with old users Account settings or the user profile get corrupted. Anyway, transfer your files to the new account and delete the old account in order to complete the transition to this new account.

Remove the Domain Group Policy From Machine

You Are Reading this means still your problem not resolved. If your machine is on a Domain network and you are getting This Program Is Blocked by Group Policy, Then we are going to remove the Domain Group policy form the machine. To Do this open Windows Registry Editor by press win + R, Type regedit and hit enter. Then navigate to the following key.

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft

Here select the Microsoft folder, right-click on it and select Delete.

Next Similarly, navigate to the following :

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft

Right-click on Microsoft folder and select Delete.

After That navigate to bellow keys and delete Group Policy and Policies keys.

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Group Policy

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies

That’s All Now close Registry Editor and reboot your PC to take effect the save changes. After That check, i hope there is no more Program or Application Block Error.

These are the most applicable solutions to fix this Program Is Blocked by Group Policy Error on Windows 10 Computer. Face any difficulty while apply the above solutions, Or have any queries about the post feel free to discuss on the comments below.

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Steve Ballmer
Steve Ballmer
With over 7 years of experience in the IT industry, I have experience in IT support, helpdesk, sysadmin, network admin, and cloud computing. Certified in Microsoft Technologies (MCTS and MCSA) and also Cisco Certified Professional in Routing and Switching.

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