Lock Down IE 10 by Disabling Flash in Windows 8

Introduction

In this article we are going to explain how to lock down IE 10 by disabling Flash in Windows 8. Microsoft now includes Flash along with their Internet Explorer browser in Windows 8.

Through Internet Explorer

Step 1

First of all we have to move to the Windows 8 Desktop.

 

Step 2

Then we open Internet Explorer in the Windows 8 Desktop.

 

Step 3

When IE opens, click on the gear icon, and then select Manage add-ons from the menu in Windows 8.

 

Step 4

Next we need to change the show settings, from currently loaded add-ons, to all add-ons.

 

Step 5

Now we select the Shockwave Flash Object add-on on the right hand side, then click on the disable button.

 

Through Group Policy

Step 6

Alternatively we could do it through a local Group Policy Object. Then we press the Win + R key, then we see a run box, and type gpedit.msc and hit enter.

 

Step 7

After this process we will need to drill down into:

User Configuration\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Security Features\ Add-on Management

 

Step 8

On the right-hand side of the window we will see a setting called "Turn off Adobe Flash in Internet Explorer and prevent applications from using Internet Explorer technology to instantiate Flash objects", double-click on it.

 

Step 9

After this process we switch the radio button from "Enabled" to "Disabled", then click on the OK button.

 

Step 10

Next we need to force the updated policy to take effect on your PC. To do this process we press the Win + R key.

When the run box opens, enter the following into it then hit Enter: gpupdate /force

 

It should be noted that the Group Policy method will always override what you specify in the interface.