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Prevent specifying cipher strength update information URLs

Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 23, 2026

Windows 11 25H2

Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 7.0

Path in the GPO console

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Internet Settings\Component Updates\Help Menu > About Internet Explorer

Description

This policy setting prevents the user from specifying a URL that contains update information about cipher strength. When the user logs on to a secure page, the page cannot grant access unless the Internet browser connects with a prespecified encryption. To ensure that the browser meets this requirement, this policy setting allows you to specify the URL to update the browser security setting. If you enable this policy setting, the user cannot specify the cipher strength update information URL. You must specify the cipher strength update information URL. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, the user can specify the cipher strength update information URL.

Registry

HKLM Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main

More options available

Options

Cipher Strength Update Information URL:
IEAKUpdateUrl text

Export Builder

BETA

Configure 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.

.reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Prevent specifying cipher strength update information URLs
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 7.0

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main]
"IEAKUpdateUrl"=""
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prevent specifying cipher strength update information URLs
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 7.0

$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'IEAKUpdateUrl' -Value '' -Type String

Building a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.

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