Remove Run From the Start Menu

Powerful tools such as the Registry Editor, the System Configuration Utility and others are extremely useful in experienced hands. However, misusing such tools could potentially wreak havoc with your computer system and cause you no end of problems.

The Windows "Run" command offers rapid access to these tools. By default, the run command is easily accessible via the Windows Start Menu. The run tool generally retains a list of previously used commands, which means that a user could potentially open an advanced tool such as the Registry Editor just by clicking the "OK" button. Youngsters often have a propensity to fearlessly "explore" their computing environment, and generally speaking, this is healthy. However, having your five-year-old inadvertently open and "play with" something like the System Configuration Utility while your back is turned is less than desirable (grin).

Therefore, if you share your computer with children or inexperienced users you may want to remove the run command from the Start Menu all together.

Here's how:

Right-click the "Start" button and then click "Properties" to open the "Taskbar and Start Menu Properties" window.
Click "Customize" to open the "Customize Start Menu" window.
Click the "Advanced" tab.
In the "Start menu items" list, uncheck the "Run command" box. You will probably need to scroll down the list to find the item.
Click "OK" to exit the "Customize Start Menu" window and then "OK" again to exit the "Taskbar and Start Menu Properties" window.

The Run command should no longer be visible on the Window Start Menu. To get the Run command back, follow the procedure outlined above and re-check the box in Step 4.

Note that you can still access Run via the keyboard by pressing the Windows Key + R even if it does not show on the Start Menu.

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