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Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe

Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 30, 2026

Windows 11 25H2

Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 6.0 in Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1

Path in the GPO console

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Internet Control Panel\Security Page\Trusted Sites Zone

Description

This policy setting allows you to manage ActiveX controls not marked as safe. If you enable this policy setting, ActiveX controls are run, loaded with parameters, and scripted without setting object safety for untrusted data or scripts. This setting is not recommended, except for secure and administered zones. This setting causes both unsafe and safe controls to be initialized and scripted, ignoring the Script ActiveX controls marked safe for scripting option. If you enable this policy setting and select Prompt in the drop-down box, users are queried whether to allow the control to be loaded with parameters or scripted. If you disable this policy setting, ActiveX controls that cannot be made safe are not loaded with parameters or scripted. If you do not configure this policy setting, users are queried whether to allow the control to be loaded with parameters or scripted.

Registry

HKLM Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\2
HKCU Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\2

More options available

Options

Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe
1201 enum
  • Enable -> 0
  • Disable -> 3
  • Prompt -> 1 (default)

MDM / Intune (CSP)

Device ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/InternetExplorer/TrustedSitesZoneInitializeAndScriptActiveXControls
User ./User/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/InternetExplorer/TrustedSitesZoneInitializeAndScriptActiveXControls
DeviceUser Since Windows 10, version 1703 [10.0.15063] and later Official mapping (Microsoft Learn)

Microsoft Learn documentation Mapping data: Microsoft Learn (CC BY 4.0)

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.

Scope

.reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 6.0 in Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\2]
"1201"=dword:00000001
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 6.0 in Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Windows Server 2003 with Service Pack 1

$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\2'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name '1201' -Value 1 -Type DWord

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

Open the Builder

Embed this policy on your site

What to embed
Theme

Adds one script line: the theme follows your site’s appearance and the height fits the content. If your site blocks scripts, the embed follows the visitor’s system theme.

Preview