How to Remove Content Advisor Password in Internet Explorer 6

Last week one of my customers accidentally turned on Internet Explorer's Content Advisor, and in helping them find a solution I came across and article on http://www.pchell.com/support/contentadvisor.shtml. I decided to share this knowledge with my AskPresario.com readers in case they ever find themselves in a similar situation.

The following steps will remove any password set in the Internet Explorer Content Advisor and allow you to reset the program to its original state using the Registry Editor. This is for advanced users only - use at your own risk. I have only tried this in Internet Explorer 6, although the original article mentioned it works in IE5 as well.

This suggestion requires the use of the Registry Editor (REGEDIT.EXE or REGEDT32.EXE). Changes made to the Windows registry happen immediately, and no backup is automatically made. Do not edit the Windows registry unless you are confident about doing so.

Microsoft have issued the following warning with respect to the Registry Editor:

"Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious, system-wide problems that may require you to re-install Windows to correct them. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use this tool at your own risk."



1) Click on Start and choose Run.

2) Type in RegEdit and select OK.

3) Now click on the little plus sign to the left of H_KEY_LOCAL_MACHINE.

4) Continue to click the plus sign at the left of the each of the following named keys: Software, Microsoft, Windows, Current Version and Policies.

5) Now click on the Ratings folder.

6) In the right pane of the RegEdit window, you'll see an icon called Key. Click on it and press Delete.

7) Next, choose Registry and then Exit to exit RegEdit. You've just deleted your original Content Advisor password.

8) Restart the computer and run Internet Explorer again.

9) From the top menu in Internet Explorer, click on Tools, Internet Options (IE 5 or greater only).

10) Click on the Content tab and click on Disable. When asked for a password, don't enter anything; just click on OK. This will disable Content Advisor because there's no longer a password.

Reference: http://www.pchell.com/support/contentadvisor.shtml