Control use of the File System API for writing
Verified with Microsoft Edge 152.0.4191.53 — updated on July 10, 2026
Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 86, Windows 7 or later
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge\Content settings User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Microsoft Edge\Content settings Description
If you set this policy to 3, websites can ask for write access to the host operating system's filesystem using the File System API. If you set this policy to 2, access is denied. If you don't set this policy, websites can ask for access. Users can change this setting. Policy options mapping: * BlockFileSystemWrite (2) = Don't allow any site to request write access to files and directories * AskFileSystemWrite (3) = Allow sites to ask the user to grant write access to files and directories Use the preceding information when configuring this policy.
Registry
HKLM
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge HKCU
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge 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: Control use of the File System API for writing
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 86, Windows 7 or later
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge]
"DefaultFileSystemWriteGuardSetting"=dword:00000002More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Control use of the File System API for writing
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 86, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'DefaultFileSystemWriteGuardSetting' -Value 2 -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: Control use of the File System API for writing
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 86, Windows 7 or later
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
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' -Name 'DefaultFileSystemWriteGuardSetting' -Expected 2 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Control use of the File System API for writing
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 86, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'DefaultFileSystemWriteGuardSetting' -Value 2 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Control use of the File System API for writing
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 86, Windows 7 or later
# 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: Control use of the File System API for writing
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 86, Windows 7 or later
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
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' -Name 'DefaultFileSystemWriteGuardSetting' -Expected 2 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Control use of the File System API for writing
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: Microsoft Edge version 86, Windows 7 or later
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'DefaultFileSystemWriteGuardSetting' -Value 2 -Type DWordBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.