Disable Steps Recorder in Windows 10 (Quick Guide)

Steps Recorder (also called Problem Steps Recorder or PSR) is a built-in Windows 10 tool that records your clicks and screenshots to help explain a problem. If you don’t use it, or if you want to prevent others from using it on a shared computer, you can disable it through Group Policy or the Registry. This guide shows you both methods, and what to do if the tool still runs after you’ve disabled it.

What You’ll Need

• A Windows 10 PC with administrator access.
• If using the Group Policy method, you need Windows 10 Pro, Enterprise, or Education edition (Group Policy is not available on Windows 10 Home).
• If using the Registry method, you can use any edition of Windows 10.
• Back up your registry before editing it (File > Export in Registry Editor).

Step-by-Step

Choose one of the two methods below. The Group Policy method is cleaner and easier to reverse, but it’s not available on Home edition. The Registry method works everywhere but requires more caution.

Method 1: Disable via Local Group Policy Editor

1. Press Win + R to open the Run dialog.
2. Type gpedit.msc and press Enter. If you get an error, you’re on Windows 10 Home – skip to Method 2.
3. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Steps Recorder.
4. Double-click the policy named Turn off Steps Recorder.
5. Select Enabled.
6. Click OK.
7. Close the Group Policy Editor.
8. Restart the Steps Recorder app if it’s open, or restart your PC to make sure the change takes effect.

Method 2: Disable via Registry Editor

1. Press Win + R, type regedit, and press Enter.
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\App Paths (if the key doesn’t exist, right-click on Windows, select New > Key, and name it App Paths).
3. Right-click on App Paths, select New > Key, and name it psr.exe.
4. Inside the psr.exe key, right-click on the right pane and select New > String Value.
5. Name it Disable.
6. Double-click the Disable value and set its data to 1.
7. Click OK and close Registry Editor.
8. Restart your PC (or at least sign out and back in) for the change to apply.

Common Mistakes

• Using the wrong registry path: Some guides suggest HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\App Paths. That path works only for the current user and is often ignored. Use the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE path for a system-wide block.
• Not creating the App Paths key correctly: If you misspell the key name (e.g., App Path instead of App Paths), the registry method won’t work.
• Forgetting to set the value to 1: Setting Disable to 0 means “enabled� – the opposite of what you want.
• Not restarting: The change may not take effect until you restart the Steps Recorder process or the whole PC.

Tips

• If you only want to stop Steps Recorder from running automatically, you can also disable the Steps Recorder scheduled task in Task Scheduler (under Microsoft > Windows > Application Experience), but the Group Policy or registry methods are more direct.
• To re-enable Steps Recorder later, set the Group Policy to Not Configured or delete the Disable value from the registry.
• On a domain-joined PC, a network administrator might override local settings with a domain policy. Check with your IT department if the change doesn’t stick.
• If you’re trying to disable Steps Recorder for security reasons (e.g., preventing data leakage), also consider disabling other recording tools like the Xbox Game Bar or the Snipping Tool.

Troubleshooting

Steps Recorder still opens after following the steps.

• Make sure you used the correct registry path (HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\App Paths\psr.exe) and that the Disable value is set to 1.
• Check if a Group Policy is overriding your setting. Open gpedit.msc and see if the policy is set to Enabled. If it’s Not Configured, the registry setting should work.
• Some Windows updates may reset policies. Reapply the registry change after a major update.
• If you’re on Windows 10 Home, the Group Policy method won’t work, so use the registry method.

The registry key already exists but with different values.

• If there’s already a psr.exe key, just add or modify the Disable value. Don’t delete the key unless you’re sure it’s not used by something else.

You get an “Access denied� error when editing the registry.

• Make sure you’re logged in as an administrator. If you are, right-click on the registry key and select Permissions, then give your account full control.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will disabling Steps Recorder affect other Windows features?
No. Steps Recorder is a standalone tool. Disabling it only prevents the PSR.exe application from running. Other recording or screenshot tools are unaffected.

Can I still use Steps Recorder if I disable it?
No, once disabled, the tool won’t open. If you need to use it temporarily, re-enable it by reversing the steps above.

Does this work on Windows 11?
Yes, the same Group Policy and registry paths work on Windows 11 as well, though the interface may look slightly different.

Why would someone want to disable Steps Recorder?
Common reasons include preventing accidental recordings, stopping users from capturing sensitive information, or simply decluttering the system. It’s also a common step in hardening a Windows system.

Is there a way to disable Steps Recorder for only one user?
Yes, you can use the registry path HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\App Paths\psr.exe instead of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE. That will apply only to the currently logged-in user.

What if I don’t have administrator rights?
You won’t be able to change Group Policy or the registry. You’ll need to ask an administrator to do it for you.

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