“This Operation Has Been Cancelled Due to Restrictions” Error — How to Fix It?

If you encounter the error “This operation has been canceled due to restrictions on this computer” while performing certain actions in Windows, it typically means there are security restrictions in place. This error often appears when changes have been made to the registry settings or local group policies. Here’s a guide on how to troubleshoot and resolve this issue.

Main Causes of the Error

This error can arise due to several reasons:

  • Restrictions applied by the system administrator through local policies.
  • Modifications in the Windows registry settings.
  • Actions taken by antivirus or security software.
  • Incorrect settings caused by an update or modification to system files.

Steps to Fix the Issue

1. Check Local Group Policy Settings

If you have access to the Local Group Policy Editor, try the following steps:

  1. Press Win + R to open the “Run” dialog, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter.
  2. Go to User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Control Panel.
  3. Locate the setting Prohibit access to Control Panel and PC settings and set it to either “Disabled” or “Not Configured.”

2. Restore Settings via the Registry Editor

Incorrect registry values can also cause such errors. To check and, if needed, correct them:

  1. Open the “Run” dialog with Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
  2. Navigate to this path: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies.
  3. Look for subkeys like Explorer or System. If you find entries such as RestrictRun or DisallowRun, try deleting them or setting their values to 0.

Note: Before making changes in the registry, create a backup to restore if any issues arise.

3. Check Your Antivirus or Parental Control Settings

Sometimes antivirus software or parental control settings can restrict access to certain features. Try temporarily disabling your antivirus and see if the error persists.

4. Perform a System Restore

If this error started recently, you might be able to resolve it by restoring your system to a previous state:

  1. Go to Control Panel → Recovery → Open System Restore.
  2. Select an appropriate restore point and follow the instructions in the System Restore wizard.