How to remove "Some Settings are Managed by Your Organization" error

The “Some settings are managed by your organization” error will most likely appear when system policies restrict access to certain device settings. Seeing such an error on work or school computers managed by IT administrators is normal but is concerning on personal devices. That’s because such an error occurring on personal computers might indicate the presence of malware, spyware, or a browser hijacker that has altered your system settings without your knowledge.

Luckily, you can usually resolve the “Some settings are managed by your organization” error by scanning for malware with reliable antivirus software, or manually by resetting Group Policy settings, and adjusting registry entries on Windows devices. Continue reading this article to learn how to remove “managed by your organization” error using my detailed step-by-step guides.

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Why does Chrome say "Managed by Your Organization"

When Chrome displays a message that says “Managed by your organization,” it means that either an administrator has applied certain policies to your browser or a browser hijacker/PUP is active. If such a message appears on your school or work computer, there’s no need to raise concern, as in these environments, IT administrators use such policies to manage security settings, extensions, and browsing activities. However, if this message appears on your personal device, it might mean it is infected by malware.

When a “Managed by your organization” error keeps appearing on your personal computer, it often means that a browser hacker or potentially unwanted program (PUP) has applied policies without your knowledge. Such browser hijackers can change Chrome’s settings to redirect your searches, change your default search engine, and even track your online activities to collect personal data. In the latter case, it may be used for advertising or malicious purposes.

When an IT administrator or a hijacker applies policies to the Chrome browser, they can access private information, including your browsing history, installed extensions, and various permissions you have granted to websites. This means that your browser is being controlled, at least to some extent, either by a legitimate IT administrator or a malicious actor. So, if you keep seeing the “Managed by your organization” error on your personal device and did not knowingly allow this, it’s essential to scan your device for malware and remove any suspicious software or files.

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How to remove "Some settings are managed by your organization" on Chrome

There are two possible ways to remove the “Some settings are managed by your organization" error message on Chrome: using an antivirus software, which is my recommended approach, or removing the error manually. While it’s much easier to use an antivirus software, like TotalAV, to automatically remove malicious apps, advanced users may prefer the manual removal approach due to the level of customization it allows.

Below, you’ll find step-by-step instructions on how to remove the “Managed by organization” message on Chrome both by using an antivirus program and manually.

Method 1: Get rid of “Managed by your organization” with antivirus software

Malware and PUPs are the most common causes triggering the “Managed by your organization” message in Chrome. These malicious apps can apply policies to your browser, hijack settings, and compromise your privacy without you ever suspecting a thing. I recommend using reliable antivirus software to get rid of the error message, as it is the fastest and the most effective way to detect and remove the malware.

Here’s how to remove the “Managed by your organization” error in Chrome using an antivirus software:

1. Select and download a reliable antivirus software. My recommendation is to choose TotalAV, now 80% off.
2. After downloading the app, launch the installer and follow the instructions to complete the setup.
3. Open the antivirus software app and run a full system scan. The scan will detect malware, PUPs, and other suspicious software.
4. After the scan is over, review the results and allow the software to remove any threats it found.
5. After threat removal, restart your computer to finish the cleanup process.

Using the antivirus software removal method also prevents any further malware infections, as the AV is capable of blocking any future attacks before they can affect your device’s system. After the cleanup is complete, the “Managed by your organization” message should disappear along with the malware that caused it in the first place.

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Method 2: Fix "Your browser is managed by your organization" manually

Fixing the “Your browser is managed by your organization” error manually involves editing the system settings. Unless you’re an experienced user, I do not recommend trying this method as it can harm your system if done incorrectly. And, even if you’re an advanced user, I still advise you to back up your registry or create a restore point first before attempting to remove the error message. Below, you’ll find my detailed guide on how to manually remove the “Managed by your organization” message both on Windows and Mac devices.

Steps to remove “Managed by your organization” on Windows

Removing “Managed by your organization” manually on Windows requires quite a few steps. You’ll find a detailed explanation below:

1. Press Windows + R, type regedit, and press Enter to open the Registry Editor.
2. Navigate to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome
3. If the Chrome key exists, right-click it and select Delete.
4. Also check: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Policies\Google\Chrome
5. If found, right-click the Chrome key and delete it.
6. Close the Registry Editor.
7. Press Windows + R, type gpedit.msc, and press Enter to open the Group Policy Editor (if available).
8. Navigate to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Google > Google Chrome
9. Double-click any enabled policies and set them to Not Configured.
10. Restart your computer.
11. Open Chrome and go to chrome://policy to check if policies are cleared.

If you’ve successfully finished this process, the “Managed by your organization” message should disappear. However, I must stress that this method is advised to be used only by advanced users, as there’s a high risk of harming your computer’s system settings if done improperly.

Steps to remove “Managed by your organization” on Mac

Removing the “Managed by your organization” manually on Mac is a similar procedure to Windows and also involves quite a few steps. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open Finder, then click Go > Go to Folder.
2. Enter: /Library/Managed Preferences/ and press Enter.
3. Look for any files related to Chrome (for example, com.google.Chrome.plist).
4. If found, move the Chrome-related files to the Trash.
5. Next, go to: ~/Library/Preferences/
6. Delete any Chrome-related .plist files (for instance, com.google.Chrome.plist).
7. Open Terminal (Applications > Utilities > Terminal).
8. Run: sudo profiles list to view installed configuration profiles.
9. Look for profiles referencing Chrome or suspicious sources.
10. Run: sudo profiles remove -identifier [profile name] to remove them.
11. Restart your Mac.
12. Open Chrome and visit chrome://policy to confirm that the policies are gone.

Again, I must remind that this manual removal method should only be performed if you’re an advanced user, due to the risks of damaging your device’s system. However, if you’ve successfully finished the procedure, the “Managed by your organization” error message should be gone.

How to stop your browser from being managed by an organization in Firefox?

The “Managed by your organization” error is most common in Chrome, but Firefox can also be affected by it. Same as with Chrome, such message tends to appear if some control has been applied to control the browser settings. While on work or school devices this might be intentional and done by legitimate IT administrators, on personal computers it may signify infection with a browser hijacker or unwanted software that might be tracking your personal data.

Here’s how to manually check if any unwanted policies are applied to your Firefox browser:

1. Open Firefox
2. Type in about:policies in the address field and press Enter
3. If you see any policies you did not apply yourself under “Active,” note them, as they’re likely malicious

If you did find suspicious policies listed under “Active,” here’s what you can do to manually remove them:

1. Close Firefox
2. Head to the Firefox installation folder:
On Windows: C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\distribution\
On Mac: /Applications/Firefox.app/Contents/Resources/distribution/
3. If you find a file named policies.json, delete it, as this file defines enforced settings
4. Open Firefox and go to about:config
5. Click “Accept the Risk and Continue” when prompted
6. Search for settings like app.normandy, enterprise, or anything else unusual
7. Right-click each suspicious setting you find and choose Reset.

After you complete this process, the “Managed by your organization” message should disappear. However, if you do not like tinkering with your device and Firefox’s settings manually, you can use the antivirus software removal method I have previously described in this article.

To prevent any further browser hijacker or malware infections, I recommend using reliable antivirus software, such as TotalAV, and performing timely system scans. Additionally, I recommend keeping your browser and the AV always updated to the latest version and avoiding installing suspicious extensions or software.

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How to prevent this issue from happening again?

To prevent the “Managed by your organization” issue from happening again, you can rely on several key actions, including using antivirus software and updating your operating system when available. Here’s a more comprehensive look into the preventative measures:

• Keep operating systems and browsers updated. Make sure to install the latest version of your operating system and browser whenever possible. The newest versions usually come with security updates, which are important in safeguarding your device.
• Install and regularly update a trusted antivirus program. I recommend using TotalAV due to its lightweight nature and high malware detection accuracy. Once you have the antivirus software installed, schedule or perform system scans regularly to prevent any malware infections. Additionally, I advise using the Real-Time Protection feature whenever online.
• Be cautious with downloads, email attachments and suspicious links. Never download email attachments or suspicious links as they are likely to be infected with malware, trackers, or browser hijackers. Before downloading something, ensure the Real-Time Protection feature on your antivirus software is toggled on, even if downloading a seemingly safe file.
• Regularly review installed applications and browser extensions. Go through your apps and browser and check if there aren’t any suspicious apps or modifications. If you find something you did not add yourself, uninstall it.
• Avoid installing unknown browser extensions. My recommendation is to stick to extensions found on official websites and stores only, as unknown extensions are likely to be infected with malware or trackers.
• Use a VPN for enhanced overall security. A reliable VPN hides your real IP address and encrypts your traffic, preventing DNS hijacking, malicious redirects, and tracking. While a VPN won’t remove any malware, it can strengthen your security and privacy, especially when using public network connections.

Conclusion

The “Some settings are managed by your organization” error message can either be caused by legitimate IT administrators monitoring your school or work computer, or by malware that has infected your device. If you keep seeing this message on your personal computer, it might raise suspicions your browser has been hijacked by malicious programs, aiming to alter your device’s settings or track your online activities and data.

Fortunately, you can remove this message from your device either by using the antivirus software removal method, which I personally recommend or by manual configuration. If you’d rather go for the quicker and easier solution, my top choice is TotalAV, as it is very user-friendly, highly accurate in detecting malware, and comes with a free trial.

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FAQ

Why does my personal computer say “Managed by your organization” in settings?

If you see the “Managed by your organization” message on your personal computer, it is likely your device is affected by malware. The easiest way to remove it and get rid of the message, is by using a reliable antivirus software, like TotalAV, running a system scan and removing the identified malware. After that, the message should disappear and your privacy will be restored.

Is ‘Managed by Your Organization’ a virus?

If you see the “Managed by your organization” message on your personal computer, it is likely a virus. However, seeing such a message on workplace or school computers is normal, as legitimate IT administrators may manage them. To remove this message from your personal device, you can use reliable antivirus software like TotalAV.

Does reinstalling Chrome remove “Managed by your organization?”

Reinstalling Chrome is unlikely to get rid of the “Managed by your organization” error, as the issue is often cause by system-level policies or malware. To safely remove the message, I recommend getting a reliable antivirus software, like TotalAV, running a full system scan and allowing the program to remove identified malware.

How to check if a computer is managed by your organization in Windows 11?

To check if your organization manages your Windows 11 computer, first go to “Settings” and access “Accounts.” Then, click on “Access work or school” – if you see any accounts listed there, your device is likely to be managed by your organization. Alternatively, you can check if your organization manages your device by heading to System > About and looking for “Domain” or “Organization” under “Device specifications” field.