Windows Network Settings

How to Enable or Disable a Proxy Server in Windows 10 and Windows 11

A complete guide to turning Windows proxy settings on or off, configuring automatic detection, using a setup script, checking WinHTTP proxy settings, and fixing common proxy-related connection problems.

🖥 Windows 10 🪟 Windows 11 🌐 Proxy Settings ⚙️ Settings App 🔧 CMD & PowerShell
Overview

What Is a Proxy Server in Windows?

A proxy server is an intermediate server that sits between your Windows PC and the websites or online services you access. Instead of connecting directly to the destination server, Windows sends some network requests through the proxy. This can be useful in corporate networks, schools, public Wi-Fi environments, debugging scenarios, filtering systems, or networks that require traffic to pass through a specific gateway.

Windows supports several proxy configuration modes: automatic detection, a proxy setup script, and manual proxy server settings. For most home users, proxy settings should normally be disabled unless a VPN app, work network, antivirus suite, or ISP specifically requires them.

Automatic detection Windows tries to detect proxy settings automatically on the current network.
Setup script Windows uses a PAC file URL provided by your organization or network administrator.
Manual proxy You enter a proxy IP address or hostname and port manually.
WinHTTP proxy A separate proxy configuration used by some system services and command-line tools.
ℹ️
Important Do not enable a random proxy from the internet. A proxy can see or modify unencrypted traffic and can break sign-ins, updates, browser access, Microsoft Store downloads, and application licensing checks.
Preparation

Before You Enable or Disable Proxy Settings in Windows

Before changing anything, decide why the proxy is needed. If you are at work, school, or connected to a managed network, the proxy settings may be required and may be controlled by policy. If you are troubleshooting internet access at home, disabling the manual proxy is often the correct first step.

Situation Recommended proxy setting Why
Home network Manual proxy usually Off Most home routers do not require a proxy server.
Corporate or school network Use settings provided by IT The network may require a proxy or PAC script for web access.
VPN app installed Check VPN documentation Some VPNs temporarily modify proxy settings.
Browser says “proxy server isn’t responding” Disable manual proxy The configured proxy address may be offline or incorrect.
Windows 11

How to Enable or Disable a Proxy Server in Windows 11 Settings

The Settings app is the main place to configure proxy settings in Windows 11. This method is suitable for most users and does not require administrative tools.

1 Settings 2 Network & internet 3 Proxy 4 Edit manual proxy

Enable a manual proxy server in Windows 11

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Network & internet.
  3. Open Proxy.
  4. Under Manual proxy setup, click Set up next to Use a proxy server.
  5. Turn on Use a proxy server.
  6. Enter the Proxy IP address or hostname and the required Port.
  7. If needed, enter exceptions in the box below. Use semicolons to separate entries, for example: localhost;*.local;192.168.*.
  8. Enable Don’t use the proxy server for local (intranet) addresses if your local network resources should remain direct.
  9. Click Save.

Disable a manual proxy server in Windows 11

  1. Open Settings → Network & internet → Proxy.
  2. Under Manual proxy setup, click Edit or Set up next to Use a proxy server.
  3. Turn off Use a proxy server.
  4. Click Save.
  5. Restart your browser or reconnect the affected app if the change is not applied immediately.
✅
Recommended for home PCs If you are not sure what to use, leave Use a proxy server turned off. You can leave Automatically detect settings enabled unless it causes connection delays or your network administrator says otherwise.
Windows 10

How to Turn Proxy Settings On or Off in Windows 10

Windows 10 uses a similar proxy settings page, but the layout is slightly different from Windows 11.

Enable a proxy server in Windows 10

  1. Press Win + I to open Settings.
  2. Go to Network & Internet.
  3. Select Proxy in the left sidebar.
  4. Scroll to Manual proxy setup.
  5. Turn on Use a proxy server.
  6. Enter the proxy Address and Port.
  7. Add exceptions if required.
  8. Click Save.

Disable a proxy server in Windows 10

  1. Open Settings → Network & Internet → Proxy.
  2. Under Manual proxy setup, turn off Use a proxy server.
  3. Also check Use setup script. Turn it off if you do not use a PAC script.
  4. Close and reopen your browser.
Auto Configuration

How to Enable or Disable Automatic Proxy Detection and Setup Script

Windows can configure proxy access automatically. This is common on corporate, school, and public networks. There are two different options: automatic detection and setup script.

Use automatic proxy detection

  1. Open Settings → Network & internet → Proxy.
  2. Under Automatic proxy setup, turn on Automatically detect settings.
  3. Restart the browser or the app that could not connect.

Use a proxy setup script

  1. Open Settings → Network & internet → Proxy.
  2. Next to Use setup script, click Set up.
  3. Turn on Use setup script.
  4. Enter the script address, such as http://server/proxy.pac.
  5. Click Save.

Disable automatic proxy setup

  1. Open the Proxy page in Settings.
  2. Turn off Use setup script if a script is configured but no longer needed.
  3. If automatic detection causes delays or incorrect proxy detection, turn off Automatically detect settings.
⚠️
Corporate networks Do not remove a setup script on a managed work computer unless IT support tells you to. Without the script, browsers and business apps may stop reaching internal websites.
Classic Method

Enable or Disable Proxy Server Using Internet Options

The classic Internet Options window still exists in modern Windows and can be useful when Settings does not open or when you prefer the older interface.

  1. Press Win + R.
  2. Type inetcpl.cpl and press Enter.
  3. Open the Connections tab.
  4. Click LAN settings.
  5. To enable a proxy, check Use a proxy server for your LAN, then enter the address and port.
  6. To disable a proxy, clear Use a proxy server for your LAN.
  7. Click OK, then OK again.
💡
Fast command You can open this window directly with the Run command: inetcpl.cpl. This works in both Windows 10 and Windows 11.
Command Line

How to Check or Reset WinHTTP Proxy Settings in Windows

The proxy settings shown in the Settings app are not always the same as WinHTTP proxy settings. Some Windows services, background components, and administrative tools use WinHTTP. If Windows Update, activation, Microsoft Store, or command-line utilities fail while browsers work normally, check WinHTTP proxy settings.

Check current WinHTTP proxy

Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

netsh winhttp show proxy

Reset WinHTTP proxy to direct access

netsh winhttp reset proxy

Import proxy settings from Internet Options

netsh winhttp import proxy source=ie

Set WinHTTP proxy manually

netsh winhttp set proxy proxy-server="http=192.168.1.100:8080;https=192.168.1.100:8080" bypass-list="localhost;*.local"
⚠️
Advanced setting Do not change WinHTTP proxy settings unless you are troubleshooting system-level connectivity or following instructions from an administrator. Incorrect WinHTTP settings can affect Windows Update and Microsoft services.
Advanced

Enable or Disable Proxy Server Using the Windows Registry

The Registry method is useful for administrators, scripts, and recovery situations where the Settings app does not work. Always create a restore point or export the key before editing the Registry.

Registry path

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings

Important values

Value Type Meaning
ProxyEnable DWORD 1 enables manual proxy, 0 disables it.
ProxyServer String Proxy address and port, for example 192.168.1.100:8080.
ProxyOverride String List of addresses that bypass the proxy.

Disable manual proxy with a REG file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings]
"ProxyEnable"=dword:00000000
"ProxyServer"=-

Enable manual proxy with a REG file

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings]
"ProxyEnable"=dword:00000001
"ProxyServer"="192.168.1.100:8080"
Managed PCs

What to Do If Proxy Settings Are Managed by an Organization

If proxy settings are grayed out or automatically return after you change them, the computer may be managed by Group Policy, mobile device management, a security product, or a VPN client.

Signs that proxy is managed

For Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education

Administrators can review policies in the Local Group Policy Editor:

gpedit.msc

Then check:

User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Internet Explorer
User Configuration → Administrative Templates → Control Panel
⛔
Do not bypass company policy On a work or school PC, proxy settings may be required for security, logging, filtering, or access to internal resources. Contact your administrator before changing them.
Fixes

How to Fix Proxy Server Problems in Windows 10 and Windows 11

If websites do not open, Microsoft Store cannot download apps, or Windows shows proxy-related errors, use the checklist below.

1. Disable manual proxy

  1. Open Settings → Network & internet → Proxy.
  2. Turn off Use a proxy server.
  3. Turn off Use setup script if you do not use one.
  4. Restart your browser.

2. Reset WinHTTP proxy

netsh winhttp reset proxy

3. Reset network stack

Run Command Prompt as administrator:

ipconfig /flushdns
netsh winsock reset
netsh int ip reset

Restart the computer after running these commands.

4. Check VPN, antivirus, and browser extensions

Some VPN clients, web filtering tools, parental control apps, and security suites configure local proxy services. If the proxy comes back automatically, temporarily disable or reconfigure those apps.

5. Try another network

If the same PC works correctly on a mobile hotspot but not on the current Wi-Fi network, the proxy configuration may be coming from the network itself.

Error or symptom Likely cause What to try
Proxy server isn’t responding Manual proxy is offline or wrong Disable manual proxy or correct the address and port.
Only some apps cannot connect WinHTTP proxy mismatch Run netsh winhttp show proxy and reset if needed.
Settings are grayed out Policy or management software Check Group Policy or contact the administrator.
Proxy returns after reboot VPN, security software, script, or policy Review startup apps, VPN clients, and managed account settings.
FAQ

FAQ: Proxy Server Settings in Windows

Should I enable a proxy server in Windows?

Enable a proxy only if your organization, school, VPN provider, or network administrator gives you a proxy address or setup script. Most home users should leave manual proxy settings disabled.

Is a proxy the same as a VPN?

No. A proxy usually redirects traffic for specific applications or protocols, while a VPN creates an encrypted tunnel for broader network traffic. Some VPN apps may still modify Windows proxy settings as part of their operation.

Why does Windows keep enabling proxy automatically?

The most common causes are VPN software, antivirus web filtering, corporate policy, a setup script, malware, or a browser/network utility. Check installed apps, startup items, and whether the device is managed by an organization.

Can a proxy slow down my internet?

Yes. If the proxy server is overloaded, far away, blocked, or misconfigured, browsing may become slow or stop working completely.

Do proxy settings affect all browsers?

Many browsers and apps use the Windows system proxy by default. However, some browsers, VPN clients, development tools, and command-line utilities may use their own proxy configuration.