How to Open the Local Security Policy in Windows 11

ZulqarnayniNovember 2, 2022Last Updated: November 2, 2022

0 71 3 minutes read

The Local Security Policy is a powerful tool that lets you control various security settings on your Windows 11 computer. But do you know how to access this utility?

Listed below are some of the quickest ways to open the Local Security Policy in Windows 11.

1. How to Open the Local Security Policy Through Windows Search

The Windows search bar can help you find almost everything on your device. To access the local security policy, simply search for it in the Search box and click on the result.

To open the local security policy, follow these steps.

Press the Win + S keys to open the Windows Search.

Type “Local Security Policy” in the search bar.

Then select the result from the top of the list.

This will open the Local Security Policy application on your computer screen.

2. How to Open the Local Security Policy Using the Run Command

The Run command is one of the fastest and most efficient ways to open programs, files, and folders on your computer. To open Local Security Policy using the Run command, press Win + R on your keyboard. This will open the Run dialog box.

In the Run dialog box, type “secpol.msc” and press Enter. This will launch the Local Security Policy.

The Start menu in Windows 11 includes most of the programs on your computer, including Windows Tools. You can navigate to the Windows Tools directory in the Start menu and then launch Local Security Policy from there.

To do so, follow the below steps:

Open the Start menu and click on All apps at the top right.

Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click Windows Tools.

On the next screen, locate Local Security Policy and double-click on it.

4. How to Open the Local Security Policy Through the Control Panel

A control panel is a software utility in Microsoft Windows that provides access to various system tools and settings. You can also use this tool to open the Local Security Policy, as shown below:

Search for Control Panel and select the result from the top of the list. You may also use the Run command to get to it. To do this, press Win + R, type “Control Panel”, and press the Enter key.

Make sure the window is set to View by Large icons.

Go to the Windows Tools menu and click on it.

Then double-click on Local Security Policy.

5. How to Open the Local Security Policy With the Task Manager

The Task Manager is a Windows application that provides information about the active processes and programs running on a computer. This tool isn’t only helpful for ending or terminating processes and services, but you can also use it to launch programs on your Windows device.

To open Local Security Policy Using Task Manager, use the below suggestions:

Open the Task Manager. In order to do so, check out how to open Task Manager for all the steps.

On the Processes tab, click on Run new task in the top bar.

When a pop-up window appears, type secpol.msc in the search field.

Now click on OK to bring up the Local Security Policy window on your computer screen, and from here you can start modifying it.

6. How to Open the Local Security Policy Using the Address Bar in File Explorer

File Explorer has an address bar that you can use to access the Local Security Policy. Here’s how:

Open the Windows File Explorer (see ways to open File Explorer on Windows).

Click on the address bar, type secpol.msc, and press Enter.

This will take you to the Local Security Policy page.

7. How to Open the Local Security Policy With a Desktop Shortcut

As an added bonus, you can also create a shortcut for the Local Security Policy application on your desktop so that you can access it quickly. The steps are as follows:

Click on Start, type “File Explorer”, and press Enter to open the File Explorer window. If you prefer, you can use the Win + E shortcut key to open the app directly.

After opening the File Explorer, browse to the following location:

C:\Windows\System32

On the next page, type “secpol” in the search bar and hit Enter.

Right-click on the search result, and select Show more options > Create shortcut.

When Windows asks for your confirmation, click Yes to create it.

There will be a shortcut on your computer’s desktop. To open the Local Security Policy editor, double-click on it.

Alternatively, you can also create a custom shortcut on your Windows 11. To do so, right-click on your desktop and choose New > Shortcut.

In the “Create Shortcut” window, type in “secpol.msc” and click Next. Give a name for the shortcut and click Finish to create it. Double-click on the new shortcut to open Local Security Policy.

8. How to Open the Local Security Policy With the Command Prompt or PowerShell

Alternatively, if you’re more comfortable with command line methods, you can use Command Prompt or Windows PowerShell to launch Local Security Policy on your PC. Here is how to do this:

Press Win + R to open the Run Command dialog box.

For Command Prompt, type “cmd.” For PowerShell, type “powershell.”

Now press Ctrl + Shift + Enter.

If UAC appears on the screen, click Yes to continue.

Type “secpol” in the Command Prompt or PowerShell window.

Now press Enter. The Local Security Policy window will appear on your computer screen.

9. How to Open the Local Security Policy Using the Local Group Policy Editor

You can also use Local Group Policy Editor to launch Local Security Policy. If you’re on Windows Home, you need to check out how to access the Local Group Policy Editor on Windows Home before you continue.

Once done, follow these steps:

Open the Local Group Policy Editor. To do this, press Win + R, type “gpedit.msc” and press Enter.

When you are in the Local Group Policy Editor window, navigate to the path:

Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings

Now double-click on Security Settings to expand it.

Here you will find all modules of the Local Security Policy.

This is how you can access Local Security Policy through the Group Policy Editor on your Windows PC.

10. How to Pin the Local Security Policy to the Taskbar

While you can open the Local Security Policy using any of the options listed above, you may find it easier to access it right from the Taskbar tray. In order to do this, you must pin it to the Taskbar. Here’s how:

Click on Start and search for “Local Security Policy”.

Right-click the search result and select Pin to taskbar.

Once you have pinned the Local Security Policy to your taskbar, you will never have to worry about finding it again.

Easy Ways to Open the Local Security Policy

It is quite easy to access the Local Security Policy. But to open it like a champ, you can try any of the methods we’ve explained in this tutorial. You can then explore the tool and use it to its full potential.