Prevent the deletion of temporary Internet files and cookies
Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 23, 2026
Supported on: Only Internet Explorer 5.0 through Internet Explorer 7.0
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 is used to manage temporary Internet files and cookies associated with your Internet browsing history, available by clicking Tools, Internet Options, and then Delete Browsing History in Internet Explorer. If you enable this policy setting, users will not be able to delete temporary Internet files and cookies. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, users will be able to delete temporary Internet files and cookies.
Registry
HKLM
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel HKCU
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel Value name: Settings
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 the deletion of temporary Internet files and cookies
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: Only Internet Explorer 5.0 through Internet Explorer 7.0
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel]
"Settings"=dword:00000001More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prevent the deletion of temporary Internet files and cookies
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Only Internet Explorer 5.0 through Internet Explorer 7.0
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'Settings' -Value 1 -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 the deletion of temporary Internet files and cookies
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Only Internet Explorer 5.0 through Internet Explorer 7.0
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
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel' -Name 'Settings' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prevent the deletion of temporary Internet files and cookies
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Only Internet Explorer 5.0 through Internet Explorer 7.0
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'Settings' -Value 1 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prevent the deletion of temporary Internet files and cookies
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Only Internet Explorer 5.0 through Internet Explorer 7.0
# 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 the deletion of temporary Internet files and cookies
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Only Internet Explorer 5.0 through Internet Explorer 7.0
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
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel' -Name 'Settings' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Prevent the deletion of temporary Internet files and cookies
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Only Internet Explorer 5.0 through Internet Explorer 7.0
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'Settings' -Value 1 -Type DWordBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.