Prevent deleting download history
Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 23, 2026
Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 9.0
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Delete Browsing History User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Delete Browsing History Description
This policy setting prevents the user from deleting his or her download history. This feature is available in the Delete Browsing History dialog box. If you enable this policy setting, download history is preserved when the user clicks Delete. If you disable this policy setting, download history is deleted when the user clicks Delete. If you do not configure this policy setting, the user can choose whether to delete or preserve download history when he or she clicks Delete. If the "Prevent access to Delete Browsing History" policy setting is enabled, this policy setting is enabled by default.
Registry
HKLM
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Privacy HKCU
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Privacy Value name: CleanDownloadHistory
Enabled: CleanDownloadHistory = 0
Disabled: CleanDownloadHistory = 1
Export Builder
BETAConfigure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.
These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO. ⓘ
Applying both scopes creates an ambiguous configuration (computer takes precedence over user). Only do this intentionally.
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Prevent deleting download history
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 9.0
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Privacy]
"CleanDownloadHistory"=dword:00000000More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prevent deleting download history
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 9.0
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Privacy'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'CleanDownloadHistory' -Value 0 -Type DWordIntune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune.Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prevent deleting download history
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 9.0
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Privacy' -Name 'CleanDownloadHistory' -Expected 0 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prevent deleting download history
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 9.0
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Privacy'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'CleanDownloadHistory' -Value 0 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prevent deleting download history
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 9.0
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prevent deleting download history
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 9.0
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Privacy' -Name 'CleanDownloadHistory' -Expected 0 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prevent deleting download history
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 9.0
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Privacy'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'CleanDownloadHistory' -Value 0 -Type DWordBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.