How can I configure Proxy AutoConfigURL Setting using Group Policy Preference (GPP) ?

In this blog, we will provide the steps you need to take to configure Internet Explorer 10 or 11 Automatic Configuration / Use automatic configuration script settings using Group Policy Preference (GPP).

As you know, the IE Maintenance GPO famously used to configure this and other IE Settings was first deprecated in IE10 in favor of Administrative Templates and Group Policy Preferences and it is important to familiarize yourself with GPP to make your Administrative work a little easier. 

NOTE: Please read the article [https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/jj890998.aspx] for more detailed information about the changes and other policies!

Objective: To configure Internet Explorer with a Proxy Pac file using Group Policy Preferences options.

                 We currently have 2 different options using GPP to configure Proxy Settings!

Requirements: Be familiar with GPMC.MSC console and Group Policy Preferences.

USING GPP REGISTRY:

  • Open your GMPC.MSC console and navigate to User Configuration / Preferences / Windows Settings
  • Right Click on the Registry object from the left hand pane and select New > registry Item

  • From New Registry Properties, you can fill in the following settings:
    • For Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
    • For Key Path: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
    • For Value name: AutoConfigURL
    • For Value Type: REG_SZ
    • For Value data: https://mysite/proxy.pac

Screenshot:

  • Apply and OK to complete this GPP Configuration

 

USING GPP INTERNET EXPLORE:

Here are the steps using GPP Control Panel / Internet Explore GPO which offers the User Interface convenience

  • Open your GMPC.MSC console and navigate to User Configuration / Preferences / Control Panel Settings / Internet Settings
  • Right Click on the Internet Settings object and select Internet Explore 10 [note: this Group Policy will also apply to IE11 clients. See kb https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/2898604]
  • From the New Internet Explore 10 Properties Dialog click on Connections Tab / LAN settings button 

  • From the Local Area Network (LAN) settings dialog, hit the F6 key on your keyboard to active the GPO (It should go from Red to Green) and add the PAC file URL and click OK to continue

  • Click on and OK to commit the changes
  • The GPO should now be configured and ready for testing

 

HOW DO I KNOW THE GPO IS WORKING?

  • The best way to validate the gpo is working is to become familiar with the registry location being affected by this setting. So, simply navigate to the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings and verify the AutoConfigURL entry exist and have the defined PAC file URL on the targeted client machines

 

END RESULT:

 

 This blog has been provided to you by the IE Support team!