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Define proxy server for connecting to the network

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

Windows 11 25H2

Supported on: At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT

Path in the GPO console

Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Description

This policy setting allows you to configure the named proxy that should be used when the client attempts to connect to the network for security intelligence updates and MAPS reporting. If the named proxy fails or if there is no proxy specified, the client will fall back to the alternative options (in order): 1. Proxy server (if specified) 2. Proxy .pac URL (if specified) 3. None 4. Internet Explorer proxy settings 5. Autodetect If you enable this setting, the proxy will be set to the specified URL according to the order specified above. The URL should be proceeded with either http:// or https://. If you disable or do not configure this setting, the proxy will skip over this fallback step according to the order specified above.

Registry

HKLM Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender

More options available

Options

Define proxy server for connecting to the network
ProxyServer text

MDM / Intune (CSP)

./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_MicrosoftDefenderAntivirus/ProxyServer
Device Since Windows 10, version 2004 with KB5005101 [10.0.19041.1202] and later | Windows 10, version 20H2 with KB5005101 [10.0.19042.1202] and later | Windows 10, version 21H1 with KB5005101 [10.0.19043.1202] and later | Windows 11, version 21H2 [10.0.22000] 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.

.reg file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Define proxy server for connecting to the network
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender]
"ProxyServer"=""
More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)

PowerShell

# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Define proxy server for connecting to the network
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT

$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ProxyServer' -Value '' -Type String

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

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