Prevent users from changing proxy settings in Windows 10 Settings app/Edge browser
I use Group Policy to control Internet Explorer proxy settings.
The Connections tab is disabled, to prevent users circumventing the proxy filter by changing or turning off the settings.
In Windows 10, the Edge browser appears to use the same proxy settings - which is brilliant.
However, Windows 10 has a Settings app and in within here, users can freely change proxy settings (Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.)
How do we disable this section from standard users?
A couple of options I have at the moment are
1. Use a Software restriction Policy or AppBlocker to restrict/block the Settings executable
2. Remove a user's "write" permission to the proxy settings within the Registry
I guess I'm after a more official approach than those 2 options.
Please, only comment if you are familiar with Group Policy and domain based environments.
Kindest regards
Antonio
The Connections tab is disabled, to prevent users circumventing the proxy filter by changing or turning off the settings.
In Windows 10, the Edge browser appears to use the same proxy settings - which is brilliant.
However, Windows 10 has a Settings app and in within here, users can freely change proxy settings (Settings > Network & Internet > Proxy.)
How do we disable this section from standard users?
A couple of options I have at the moment are
1. Use a Software restriction Policy or AppBlocker to restrict/block the Settings executable
2. Remove a user's "write" permission to the proxy settings within the Registry
I guess I'm after a more official approach than those 2 options.
Please, only comment if you are familiar with Group Policy and domain based environments.
Kindest regards
Antonio
McKnife
"I guess I'm after a more official approach than those 2 options." - I wonder why you don't consider those 2 to be official. If I am not mistaken, I have seen this question frequently throughout the years and the solution was always to deploy an adapted registry key ACL.
ASKER
Good point, if there isn't any official Microsoft method yo managing access then scripting or registry "hacks" would be a more favoured approach.
Registry hacks or scripts to manage settings are difficult to keep track of and manage, compared to an offficial GPO released by the software vendor
Registry hacks or scripts to manage settings are difficult to keep track of and manage, compared to an offficial GPO released by the software vendor
"Registry hacks or scripts to manage settings are difficult to keep track of" - I disagree. The reporting tools find them. You can document them. No difference to official GPOs.
ASKER
I guess once the GPP is set it isnt going anywhere. Also I think it's possible to store comments on GPPs too so at least i can explain in the comment why the GPP is there.
So to your, knowledge there isnt an official GPO setting to fover what I'm after?
So to your, knowledge there isnt an official GPO setting to fover what I'm after?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
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LOL!
Re-revisited the setting. Now I remember why my brain had saved the "use the registry-ACL": though this GPO prevents changes via the GUI, it sets no ACL, so users may open regedit and change their proxy setting.
->DO deploy a registry ACL on that key
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
Re-revisited the setting. Now I remember why my brain had saved the "use the registry-ACL": though this GPO prevents changes via the GUI, it sets no ACL, so users may open regedit and change their proxy setting.
->DO deploy a registry ACL on that key
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
ASKER
We block access to the Registry for this reason!
But looks like changing registry permissions will ensure no other applications or "Windows 10 Settings app" can adjust them!
Thank you
But looks like changing registry permissions will ensure no other applications or "Windows 10 Settings app" can adjust them!
Thank you
ASKER
How do you deploy registry permissions for HKCU keys via GPO?
ASKER
Thanks, that covers of HKLM keys. But what about HKCU?
IE/Edge proxy setting are saved within the HKCU.
IE/Edge proxy setting are saved within the HKCU.
It covers both, please look again.
Wait, give me an hour to look into this again.
ASKER
Step 10: Expand “Computer Configuration”, “Windows Settings” and select “Registry”
Step 12: Select the Registry Key that you want to set permissions on and click OK
Only options are CLASSES_ROOT, MACHINE and USERS.
I can't see any options for Current user or HKCU
Step 12: Select the Registry Key that you want to set permissions on and click OK
Only options are CLASSES_ROOT, MACHINE and USERS.
I can't see any options for Current user or HKCU
ASKER
Wait, give me an hour to look into this again.OK :)
I think the only option is to use AppBlocker or SRP to restrict the Settings executable from running.
If I removed users write permissions on the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE
ASKER
On second thoughts, blocking the SystemSettings.exe from executing is a bad move.
Users won't be able to change hundreds of harmless settings - such as display resolution.
There must be a way of locking down the Proxy settings within the app.
Windows is built for domains and corporate environments, why would they not allow administrators to lock down a function that could allow users to circumvent a corporations web filtering!
Users won't be able to change hundreds of harmless settings - such as display resolution.
There must be a way of locking down the Proxy settings within the app.
Windows is built for domains and corporate environments, why would they not allow administrators to lock down a function that could allow users to circumvent a corporations web filtering!
Ok. You cannot use GPO to set an ACL of HKCU unless you use a logon script for it.
Since the user has full access on that very key, he may change his own permissions to read.
As tool, I would use setacl, as shown in https://helgeklein.com/help-center/topic/batch-file-automating-windows-hkcu-registry-permissions
Since the user has full access on that very key, he may change his own permissions to read.
As tool, I would use setacl, as shown in https://helgeklein.com/help-center/topic/batch-file-automating-windows-hkcu-registry-permissions
ASKER
As mentioned above, I do not want to adjust registry permissions.
If I removed users write permissions on the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft \Windows\C urrentVers ion\Intern et Settings key the user won't be able to save any other settings. Also, any other changes (that are stored in that key) deployed by GP to the user won't be able to be written to the registry.
Look, let me sort this:
You would like to prevent changing through the settings app: I showed a way using the aforementioned GPO. Then, I told you that although the GPO blocks changes through the GUI, the user could still edit the registry. You told me, you even disallow registry editing tools, so: problem solved.
If you wanted to block the registry changes without disallowing registry editing tools, you would need to use scripts and yes, those have the side effects that you describe, since we cannot write permissions on single regvalues, but only on keys.
You would like to prevent changing through the settings app: I showed a way using the aforementioned GPO. Then, I told you that although the GPO blocks changes through the GUI, the user could still edit the registry. You told me, you even disallow registry editing tools, so: problem solved.
If you wanted to block the registry changes without disallowing registry editing tools, you would need to use scripts and yes, those have the side effects that you describe, since we cannot write permissions on single regvalues, but only on keys.
ASKER
You told me, you even disallow registry editing tools, so: problem solved.We prohibit registry editing tools - but this does not stop the Settings app from writing to the registry when the user changes settings.
If you wanted to block the registry changesOn reflection, and as previously mentioned. I do not wan to block registry changes.
Blocking that key will prevent Group Policy settings taking affect. It will also restrict many other settings within IE that the user may wish to customise.
Thanks for your assistance so far but I will continue pursuing a more "official" approach.
Sorry, you seem to overlook something. I tried it and found already in my third comment ( https://www.experts-exchange.com/questions/28975724/Prevent-users-from-changing-proxy-settings-in-Windows-10-Settings-app-Edge-browser.html?anchor=a41839975&anchorAnswerId=41838830#a41838830 ) how to stop the settings app. I thought you had read that.
ASKER
Apologies, I thought your 4th comment was in reply to your 3rd comment.
I have set Prevent changing proxy settings to enabled and it disables the fields within the Settings app!
Thank you very much for your assistance, and apologies I overlooked one of your very first suggestions!
I have set Prevent changing proxy settings to enabled and it disables the fields within the Settings app!
Thank you very much for your assistance, and apologies I overlooked one of your very first suggestions!
You are welcome.