System › Locale Services
Disallow selection of Custom Locales
Supported on At least Windows Vista
What it does
This policy setting prevents a user from selecting a supplemental custom locale as their user locale. The user is restricted to the set of locales that are installed with the operating system. This does not affect the selection of replacement locales. To prevent the selection of replacement locales, adjust the permissions of the %windir%\Globalization directory to prevent the installation of locales by unauthorized users. The policy setting "Restrict user locales" can also be enabled to disallow selection of a custom locale, even if this policy setting is not configured. If you enable this policy setting, the user cannot select a custom locale as their user locale, but they can still select a replacement locale if one is installed. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, the user can select a custom locale as their user locale. If this policy setting is enabled at the machine level, it cannot be disabled by a per-user policy setting. If this policy setting is disabled at the machine level, the per-user policy setting will be ignored. If this policy setting is not configured at the machine level, restrictions will be based on per-user policy settings. To set this policy setting on a per-user basis, make sure that you do not configure the per-machine policy setting.
What it writes
- Hive
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
- Registry key
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Control Panel\International- Value name
CustomLocalesNoSelect- When enabled
- DWORD 1
- When disabled
- DWORD 0
Why it needs changes for Intune
- Policy references a Windows supportedOn definition.
- ADMX-INTUNE-WINDOWS-SUPPORTEDON-REFERENCE
In Intune
Native Intune setting: Yes — Policy CSP
./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_Globalization/CustomLocalesNoSelect_2ADMX_Globalization on Microsoft LearnADMX-backed: Windows ships this template, so it is set with the template's own values, without an import.Windows builds listed: 10.0.22000, 10.0.19043.1202, 10.0.19042.1202, 10.0.19041.1202.
From Microsoft's Policy CSP DDF files (DDF v2 Files, February 2026), read 18 Oct 2026.
Configure and deploy
Choose a state; the output below is generated from the template for exactly that.
Enabled · Computer · template defaults
Registry file (.reg)
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Control Panel\International]
"CustomLocalesNoSelect"=dword:00000001
PowerShell
$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
function Set-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $PropertyType,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][object] $Value
)
if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
New-Item -Path $Path -Force | Out-Null
}
New-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -PropertyType $PropertyType -Value $Value -Force | Out-Null
}
function Remove-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name
)
if (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path) {
Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
}
}
function Clear-RegistryKeyValues {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path
)
if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
return
}
foreach ($propertyName in (Get-Item -LiteralPath $Path).Property) {
Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $propertyName -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
}
}
# Policy: Disallow selection of Custom Locales
# Name: CustomLocalesNoSelect_2
# Scope: Machine
# State: Enabled
# Source: Globalization.admx
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Control Panel\International' -Name 'CustomLocalesNoSelect' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 1
These deployment candidates come from the ADMX template; they are separate from the native CSP mapping above.
- The OMA-URI is an inferred ADMX-backed Policy CSP candidate derived from the source ADMX file name and policy name.
- Some Microsoft policies use built-in Policy CSP pages whose area names don't match the ADMX file name, so verify the candidate against Microsoft Learn before deployment.
ADMX profile candidate (OMA-URI)
./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_Globalization/CustomLocalesNoSelect_2ADMX SyncML candidate
<SyncML xmlns="SYNCML:SYNCML1.2">
<SyncBody>
<Replace>
<CmdID>1</CmdID>
<Item>
<Meta>
<Format>chr</Format>
<Type>text/plain</Type>
</Meta>
<Target>
<LocURI>./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_Globalization/CustomLocalesNoSelect_2</LocURI>
</Target>
<Data><enabled/></Data>
</Item>
</Replace>
<Final/>
</SyncBody>
</SyncML>Intune remediation scripts
Detection
$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
$reasons = [System.Collections.Generic.List[string]]::new()
function Test-RegistryValueExists {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name
)
if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
return $false
}
return $null -ne (Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)
}
function Test-RegistryValueEquals {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Kind,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][object] $Expected
)
if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
return $false
}
$valueObject = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
if ($null -eq $valueObject) {
return $false
}
$actual = $valueObject.$Name
switch ($Kind) {
'String' { return [string]$actual -ceq [string]$Expected }
'ExpandString' { return [string]$actual -ceq [string]$Expected }
'DWord' { return [uint32]$actual -eq [uint32]$Expected }
'QWord' { return [uint64]$actual -eq [uint64]$Expected }
'MultiString' {
$actualArray = @($actual)
$expectedArray = @($Expected)
if ($actualArray.Count -ne $expectedArray.Count) { return $false }
for ($index = 0; $index -lt $actualArray.Count; $index++) {
if ([string]$actualArray[$index] -cne [string]$expectedArray[$index]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
'Binary' {
$actualArray = [byte[]]$actual
$expectedArray = [byte[]]$Expected
if ($actualArray.Length -ne $expectedArray.Length) { return $false }
for ($index = 0; $index -lt $actualArray.Length; $index++) {
if ($actualArray[$index] -ne $expectedArray[$index]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
default { return [string]$actual -ceq [string]$Expected }
}
}
# Policy: Disallow selection of Custom Locales
# Name: CustomLocalesNoSelect_2
# Scope: Machine
# State: Enabled
# Source: Globalization.admx
$isMatch = Test-RegistryValueEquals -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Control Panel\International' -Name 'CustomLocalesNoSelect' -Kind 'DWord' -Expected 1
if (-not $isMatch) {
$reasons.Add('Value mismatch: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Control Panel\International\CustomLocalesNoSelect') | Out-Null
}
if ($reasons.Count -eq 0) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
$reasons | ForEach-Object { Write-Output $_ }
exit 1
Remediation
$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
function Set-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $PropertyType,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][object] $Value
)
if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
New-Item -Path $Path -Force | Out-Null
}
New-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -PropertyType $PropertyType -Value $Value -Force | Out-Null
}
function Remove-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name
)
if (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path) {
Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
}
}
function Clear-RegistryKeyValues {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path
)
if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
return
}
foreach ($propertyName in (Get-Item -LiteralPath $Path).Property) {
Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $propertyName -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
}
}
# Policy: Disallow selection of Custom Locales
# Name: CustomLocalesNoSelect_2
# Scope: Machine
# State: Enabled
# Source: Globalization.admx
Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Control Panel\International' -Name 'CustomLocalesNoSelect' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 1
History 5 retained releases
- 22H2 · 1.015 Jul 2024
- Already present in the first release ChangeIntel keeps.
4 later releases left it unchanged.
Template
- Internal name
CustomLocalesNoSelect_2- Namespace
Microsoft.Policies.Globalization- Template file
Globalization.admx- Release
- Windows 11 25H2 · 1.0 · file set
de4e49983ebd651f…
Definition, editor controls and support
Definition
<policy class="Machine" displayName="$(string.CustomLocalesNoSelect)" explainText="$(string.CustomLocalesNoSelect_Help)" key="Software\Policies\Microsoft\Control Panel\International" name="CustomLocalesNoSelect_2" valueName="CustomLocalesNoSelect" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<parentCategory ref="Microsoft.Policies.Globalization:NlsManagementCat" />
<supportedOn ref="Microsoft.Policies.Windows:SUPPORTED_WindowsVista" />
<enabledValue>
<decimal value="1" />
</enabledValue>
<disabledValue>
<decimal value="0" />
</disabledValue>
</policy>Editor controls
Supported platforms and category
Microsoft.Policies.Globalization:category:NlsManagementCat
<category displayName="$(string.NlsManagementCat)" name="NlsManagementCat" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<parentCategory ref="Microsoft.Policies.Windows:System" />
</category>
Microsoft.Policies.Products:product:MicrosoftWindows
sha256:4b3cb6917b5e5b7cd142c0157f10882786b3e9ee67c29fd7b8f4c6cb2eec5fe7
Microsoft.Policies.Windows:category:System
<category displayName="$(string.System)" explainText="$(string.System_Help)" name="System" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions" />
Microsoft.Policies.Windows:definition:SUPPORTED_WindowsVista
<definition displayName="$(string.SUPPORTED_WindowsVista)" name="SUPPORTED_WindowsVista" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<or>
<range minVersionIndex="4" ref="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows" />
</or>
</definition>
Microsoft.Policies.Globalization:category:NlsManagementCat
<category displayName="$(string.NlsManagementCat)" name="NlsManagementCat" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<parentCategory ref="Microsoft.Policies.Windows:System" />
</category>
<strings><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Globalization:NlsManagementCat">Locale Services</string></strings>
Microsoft.Policies.Products:product:MicrosoftWindows
<product displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows)" name="MicrosoftWindows" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<majorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows2000)" name="MicrosoftWindows2000" versionIndex="1">
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows2000_RTM)" name="MicrosoftWindows2000_RTM" versionIndex="0" />
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows2000_SP1)" name="MicrosoftWindows2000_SP1" versionIndex="1" />
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows2000_SP2)" name="MicrosoftWindows2000_SP2" versionIndex="2" />
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows2000_SP3)" name="MicrosoftWindows2000_SP3" versionIndex="3" />
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows2000_SP4)" name="MicrosoftWindows2000_SP4" versionIndex="4" />
</majorVersion>
<majorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsXP)" name="MicrosoftWindowsXP" versionIndex="2">
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsXP_RTM)" name="MicrosoftWindowsXP_RTM" versionIndex="0" />
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsXP_SP1)" name="MicrosoftWindowsXP_SP1" versionIndex="1" />
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsXP_SP2)" name="MicrosoftWindowsXP_SP2" versionIndex="2" />
</majorVersion>
<majorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsServer2003)" name="MicrosoftWindowsServer2003" versionIndex="3">
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsServer2003_RTM)" name="MicrosoftWindowsServer2003_RTM" versionIndex="0" />
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsServer2003_SP1)" name="MicrosoftWindowsServer2003_SP1" versionIndex="1" />
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsServer2003_R2)" name="MicrosoftWindowsServer2003_R2" versionIndex="2" />
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsServer2003_SP2)" name="MicrosoftWindowsServer2003_SP2" versionIndex="3" />
</majorVersion>
<majorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsVista)" name="MicrosoftWindowsVista" versionIndex="4">
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsVista_RTM)" name="MicrosoftWindowsVista_RTM" versionIndex="0" />
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsVista_SP1)" name="MicrosoftWindowsVista_SP1" versionIndex="1" />
</majorVersion>
<majorVersion displayName="$(string.WindowsServer2008)" name="WindowsServer2008" versionIndex="5">
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.WindowsServer2008_RTM)" name="WindowsServer2008_RTM" versionIndex="0" />
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.WindowsServer2008_R2)" name="WindowsServer2008_R2" versionIndex="1" />
</majorVersion>
<majorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows7)" name="MicrosoftWindows7" versionIndex="6">
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows7_RTM)" name="MicrosoftWindows7_RTM" versionIndex="0" />
</majorVersion>
<majorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsServer8)" name="MicrosoftWindowsServer8" versionIndex="7">
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsServer8_RTM)" name="MicrosoftWindowsServer8_RTM" versionIndex="0" />
</majorVersion>
<majorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows8)" name="MicrosoftWindows8" versionIndex="8">
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows8_RTM)" name="MicrosoftWindows8_RTM" versionIndex="0" />
</majorVersion>
<majorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows_RT)" name="MicrosoftWindows_RT" versionIndex="9">
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows_RT_RTM)" name="MicrosoftWindows_RT_RTM" versionIndex="0" />
</majorVersion>
<majorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsServer_6_3)" name="MicrosoftWindowsServer_6_3" versionIndex="10">
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsServer_6_3_RTM)" name="MicrosoftWindowsServer_6_3_RTM" versionIndex="0" />
</majorVersion>
<majorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows_6_3)" name="MicrosoftWindows_6_3" versionIndex="11">
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows_6_3_RTM)" name="MicrosoftWindows_6_3_RTM" versionIndex="0" />
</majorVersion>
<majorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows_6_3_RT)" name="MicrosoftWindows_6_3_RT" versionIndex="12">
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows_6_3_RT_RTM)" name="MicrosoftWindows_6_3_RT_RTM" versionIndex="0" />
</majorVersion>
<majorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsServer_10_0)" name="MicrosoftWindowsServer_10_0" versionIndex="13">
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindowsServer_10_0_RTM)" name="MicrosoftWindowsServer_10_0_RTM" versionIndex="0" />
</majorVersion>
<majorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows_10_0)" name="MicrosoftWindows_10_0" versionIndex="14">
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows_10_0_RTM)" name="MicrosoftWindows_10_0_RTM" versionIndex="0" />
</majorVersion>
<majorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows_10_0_RT)" name="MicrosoftWindows_10_0_RT" versionIndex="15">
<minorVersion displayName="$(string.MicrosoftWindows_10_0_RT_RTM)" name="MicrosoftWindows_10_0_RT_RTM" versionIndex="0" />
</majorVersion>
</product>
<strings><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows">Windows operating system</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows2000">Windows 2000 operating systems</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows2000_RTM">Windows 2000</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows2000_SP1">Windows 2000 Service Pack 1</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows2000_SP2">Windows 2000 Service Pack 2</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows2000_SP3">Windows 2000 Service Pack 3</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows2000_SP4">Windows 2000 Service Pack 4</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows7">Windows 7 operating systems</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows7_RTM">Windows 7</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows8">Windows 8 operating systems</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows8_RTM">Windows 8</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsServer2003">Windows Server 2003 operating systems</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsServer2003_R2">Windows Server 2003 R2</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsServer2003_RTM">Windows Server 2003</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsServer2003_SP1">Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 1</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsServer2003_SP2">Windows Server 2003 Service Pack 2</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsServer8">Windows Server 2012 operating systems</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsServer8_RTM">Windows Server 2012</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsServer_10_0">Windows Server 2016 operating systems</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsServer_10_0_RTM">Windows Server 2016</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsServer_6_3">Windows Server 2012 R2 operating systems</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsServer_6_3_RTM">Windows Server 2012 R2</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsVista">Windows Vista operating systems</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsVista_RTM">Windows Vista</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsVista_SP1">Windows Vista Service Pack 1</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsXP">Windows XP operating systems</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsXP_RTM">Windows XP</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsXP_SP1">Windows XP Service Pack 1</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindowsXP_SP2">Windows XP Service Pack 2</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows_10_0">Windows 10 operating systems</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows_10_0_RT">Windows 10 RT operating systems</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows_10_0_RTM">Windows 10</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows_10_0_RT_RTM">Windows 10 RT</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows_6_3">Windows 8.1 operating systems</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows_6_3_RT">Windows RT 8.1 operating systems</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows_6_3_RTM">Windows 8.1</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows_6_3_RT_RTM">Windows RT 8.1</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows_RT">Windows RT operating systems</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows_RT_RTM">Windows RT</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:WindowsServer2008">Windows Server 2008 operating systems</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:WindowsServer2008_R2">Windows Server 2008 R2</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Products:WindowsServer2008_RTM">Windows Server 2008</string></strings>
Microsoft.Policies.Windows:category:System
<category displayName="$(string.System)" explainText="$(string.System_Help)" name="System" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions" />
<strings><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Windows:System">System</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Windows:System_Help">Allows configuration of various system component settings.</string></strings>
Microsoft.Policies.Windows:definition:SUPPORTED_WindowsVista
<definition displayName="$(string.SUPPORTED_WindowsVista)" name="SUPPORTED_WindowsVista" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
<or>
<range minVersionIndex="4" ref="Microsoft.Policies.Products:MicrosoftWindows" />
</or>
</definition>
<strings><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Windows:SUPPORTED_WindowsVista">At least Windows Vista</string></strings>