FIX: This Operation Has Been Cancelled Due to Restrictions

The error message “This operation has been cancelled due to restrictions in effect on this computer” occurs when attempting to open specific Windows apps. This is often a result of certain Windows policies that prevent your user account from executing certain apps or due to the DisallowRun key in the Windows Registry.

Addressing this issue can be straightforward by modifying some Windows policies, among other solutions. This guide will detail multiple methods to eliminate the error message.

1. Remove DisallowRun Key

Begin by verifying the existence of a DisallowRun key within the Windows Registry that might be preventing programs from running on your system. To fix the error message, this key will need to be removed.

1. Open the Run dialog box by pressing the Win key + R on your keyboard.
2. Type in regedit and press Enter.

   

3. In the Registry Editor, navigate to:

   HKEY_CURRENT_USER > Software > Microsoft > Windows > CurrentVersion > Policies > Explorer

   

4. Locate a DisallowRun key in the right pane.
5. Right-click on it and select Delete.
6. Check if this resolves the issue.

2. Modify the Run Specific Apps Policies

Specific system policies can also contribute to the aforementioned error message. This is common when using a corporate network with restricted access to computers.

1. Press the Win + R combination to invoke the Run dialog box.
2. Enter gpedit.msc and press Enter.

   

3. In the Group Policy Editor, follow this path:

   User Configuration > Administrative Templates > System

   

4. Double-click the Don’t run specified Windows applications policy.
5. Set it to Not Configured, then click Apply and OK.

   

6. Next, find the Run only specified Windows applications policy and double-click it.
7. Also set this to Not Configured, click Apply, then OK.
8. Restart your computer to enforce these changes.
9. Check for the persistence of the problem.

3. Enable Group Policy

The error message may also appear when attempting to access administrative tools in Windows, which could stem from the tools being disabled.

To resolve this, activate the administrative tools using the batch script provided below. Rather than downloading files, simply copy and paste the code directly:

1. Open Notepad by searching for it in the Start Menu.

   

2. Paste the following code into Notepad:

   @echo off
   pushd "%~dp0"
   dir /b %SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientExtensions-Package~3*.mum >List.txt  
   dir /b %SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\Microsoft-Windows-GroupPolicy-ClientTools-Package~3*.mum >>List.txt 
   for /f %%i in ('findstr /i . List.txt 2>nul') do dism /online /norestart /add-package:"%SystemRoot%\servicing\Packages\%%i"
   pause

3. Go to File in Notepad’s menu bar and choose Save As.

   

4. Name the file gpedit.bat. From the Save as type menu, ensure All Files is selected.
5. Save it to your desktop for convenience.
6. Right-click on gpedit.bat and select Run as administrator.
7. A Command Prompt window will appear. Wait until the process completes, then check if the issue is resolved.

4. Remove Modified Policies

Any unwanted policy adjustments in Windows can trigger the error message in question. These changes can be reversed by using a script that you can run on your system. As a precaution, back up your Windows Registry before proceeding.

1. Open Notepad from the Start Menu.

   

2. Copy and paste the text below into Notepad:

   Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 
   [-HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies]
   [-HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\policies]

3. Select File, then Save As.

   

4. Name the file regpolicy.reg. Choose All Files in the Save as type dropdown.
5. Execute the regpolicy.reg file on your PC.
6. Restart your computer and verify if the error message persists.

5. Create a New Admin Account

The error can also occur due to issues with your current user account. By creating a new admin account, you might be able to resolve the problem.

To create the account, ensure you are logged in as an administrator.

1. Press Win key + I to open Settings.
2. Go to Accounts > Other Users.

   

3. Click on Add account and follow the prompts.

   

4. Expand your new account’s details and choose Change account type.

   

5. Set the account type to Administrator and confirm by clicking OK.
6. Log out and log back in with the new admin account to see if the issue has been resolved.

6. Perform a Clean Boot

Interference from background applications might be contributing to the error message. By performing a clean boot, you start your system with only the essential Windows services activated.

Should the error disappear during a clean boot state, you can pinpoint the interfering program by re-enabling the services individually.

1. Access the Run dialog box using Win key + R.
2. Input msconfig and press Enter.

   

3. In the System Configuration window’s Services tab, check Hide all Microsoft services.

   

4. Click Disable all followed by Apply.
5. Next, move to the Startup tab and open Task Manager.

   

6. In Task Manager, disable all the third-party applications using the Disable button.

   

7. Restart your PC to enter the clean boot state.

These solutions should help you address the error message. If the issue persists, seek assistance from the official Windows support team.