en-US windows computer user

Disable changing Automatic Configuration settings

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

Windows 11 25H2

Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 5.0

Path in the GPO console

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer

Description

This setting specifies to automatically detect the proxy server settings used to connect to the Internet and customize Internet Explorer. This setting specifies that Internet explorer use the configuration settings provided in a file by the system administrator. If you enable this policy setting, the user will not be able to do automatic configuration. You can import your current connection settings from your machine using Internet Explorer Maintenance under Admin Templates using group policy editor. If you disable or do no configure this policy setting, the user will have the freedom to automatically configure these settings.

Registry

HKLM Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel
HKCU Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel

Value name: Autoconfig

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: Disable changing Automatic Configuration settings
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 5.0

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel]
"Autoconfig"=dword:00000001
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Disable changing Automatic Configuration settings
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 5.0

$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'Autoconfig' -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