SOLVED: How To Disable PROTECTED MODE In Internet Explorer Using GPO

This was a major a pain to me.  I have found that many sites, including MSN.COM, Outlook Web Access, GoToMeeting.com and others,  do not load properly with PROTECTED MODE enabled on Windows 7, 8 and 10 so after arguing with Microsoft about it for a few months last year, I have just given up and decided to disable it.  Now it gets tricky if you don’t follow the steps:

1. Launch Group Policy Management Console and EDIT and existing policy or CREATE a new policy
2. Expand: COMPUTER CONFIGURATION > POLICIES > ADMNISTRATIVE TEMPLATES > WINDOWS COMPONENTS > INTERNET EXPLORER > INTERNET CONTROL PANEL > SECURITY PAGE > INTERNET ZONE
3. Double click TURN ON PROTECTED MODE
4. Select ENABLED
5. Select DISABLED from the PROTECTED MODE selection box.

If you want to use a GPO to disable ENHANCED PROTECTED MODE (which is under TOOLS > INTERNET OPTIONS > ADVANCED > security section):

1. Launch Group Policy Management Console and EDIT and existing policy or CREATE a new policy
2. Expand: COMPUTER CONFIGURATION > POLICIES > ADMNISTRATIVE TEMPLATES > WINDOWS COMPONENTS > INTERNET EXPLORER > INTERNET CONTROL PANEL > ADVANCED PAGE
3. Double click TURN ON ENHANCED PROTECTED MODE
4. Select DISABLED

Also remember that you need to GPUPDATE /FORCE as an Admin (or reboot) to have this COMPUTER policy take effect.