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Fix: This Feature Has Been Disabled by Your Administrator
A comprehensive guide to solving this error for good
2 min. read
Updated onOctober 4, 2023
updated onOctober 4, 2023
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Key notes
Installing Microsoft Skype for Business as a stand-alone app from aMicrosoft Office 365ProPlus suite should work like a breeze, at least until getting the followingerror message:This feature has been disabled by your Administrator.
The same thing happens if you use Microsoft Office 2013 or Office 2016 client and try to perform certain actions in the applications.
What causes theThis feature has been disabled by your Administratormessage?
This issue is usually caused by a Windows Registry policy that prevents the Office application to connect to the Internet.
There are a few things Microsoft Office requires in order to access online services, complete a download, or get the latest online content from Office.com. Internet connectivity is definitely one of them.
Hence, check if there is a 0 value for the UseOnlineContent registry entry from Overview of identity, authentication, and authorization in Office 2013 or Office 2016.
When finding such a value, either remove the key or set its value to 2. For clearing out thiserror messagein no time, please do as follows.
How to fix This feature has been disabled by your administrator?
The way you can fix this problem is by changing the value for the UseOnlineContent registry via Registry Editor.
If the value of the UseOnlineContent registry is set to 0, that means Microsoft Office is disallowed to connect to the internet.
However, do keep in mind that serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly. Proceed at your own risk.
1.Back up the registryfor restoration in case any problems occur.
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Close allMicrosoftOfficeapplications.
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Press theWindows + Rkeys at the same time to open the Run dialog.
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TyperegeditinRun box, in order to open theRegistry Editor.
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Find and click this registry subkey: HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice15.0CommonInternet or HKEY_CURRENT_USERSoftwareMicrosoftOffice16.0CommonInternet.
In the case of using Office 2013, it will be 15. In the case ofOffice 2016, you’ll find16.
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If theUseOnlineContent registry entryexists in this path, skip the next two steps.
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If not, on theEdit menu, point toNew.
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Click onDWORD Value.
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TypeUseOnlineContent.
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PressEnter.
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Right-click onUseOnlineContent.
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Now, hitModify.
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In theValue data box, type2, and then clickOK.
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You could also completely remove theUseOnlineContent key.
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ExitRegistry Editor.
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Now, you need to restart your system for the changes to take effect properly.
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Finally, open theMicrosoft Officeapplication. You can now continue the same procedure you were performing before getting the error message.
Note: Make sure to follow the above-mentioned steps carefully. Major problems occur when modifying the registry incorrectly. Apply the given steps at your own risk.
If youcan’t edit your Windows 10’s registry, read ourhandy guide and find the quickest solutions to the issue.
The Registry settings UseOnlineContent set to 0 is the red flag you’re after. This means Microsoft Office is disallowed to connect to the Internet, yet that’s no longer an issue.
If you have any further questions or suggestions, leave them in the comments section below and we’ll be sure to check them out.
More about the topics:administrator account,Microsoft Office
Loredana Harsana
Windows Software Expert
Loredana is a passionate writer with a keen interest in PC software and technology. She started off writing about mobile phones back when Samsung Galaxy S II was on top of the world and she fell in love with tech of all sorts.
Whenever she’s not at her work desk, you’ll find her enjoying refreshing tea flavors, spilling stories on paper, and listening to the radio.
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Loredana Harsana
Windows Software Expert
Loredana is a tech enthusiast who tackles mobility, privacy, and networking in easy-to follow guides for everyone.
