If you want to make one group policy file to apply your IE settings no matter what version is installed you can use Group Policy Preferences and the registry.
First of all we need to identify the registry keys we want to change.
All the Proxy registry keys we need are under :
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet SettingsThen the keys are :-
Enable proxy Settings =
ProxyEnable = DWORD, Value, 0x00000001Proxy Server Address =
ProxyServer = REG_SZ, Value, SERVERIP:PORTProxy Exceptions =
ProxyOverride = REG_SZ, Value, Address1;Address2;etc
If you want to set up the proxy so it bypasses the proxy for local addresses then all you need to do is add to the end of the proxy exceptions
In my example below I have put in some dummy data
The Homepage registry keys are located under :
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MainHome Page =
Start Page = REG_SZ, Value, http://www.google.co.ukNow we know the keys we can get started creating the group policy preference. I will walk through adding one of them. Once you have done this you should be able to add the rest yourself.
1) Open your Group Policy Management Console. Branch out until you find the group policy objects folder. Right click on it and click new.
2) In the Name type Internet Explorer 11 Settings. Then click ok. Right click on the new GPO we just created and click edit. When the Group policy window appears branch down user configuration, preferences, Windows Settings and then click on registry. On the right hand pane where it says “There are no items to show in this view”, right click and then click New, Registry Item.
3) So lets do the first registry key we want to change. Lets do the homepage first. We know the keys are :-
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\MainHome Page =
Start Page = REG_SZ, Value, http://www.google.co.ukSo in the box that appears select :
Action : Update
Hive : HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Key Path: Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
Value name (default unticked) : Start Page
Value type : REG_SZ
Value data : http://www.google.co.uk
So for this example it would look like
Once happy click ok
If you want more than one tab to open at once then you can use the key Secondary Start Pages.
Action : Update
Hive : HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Key Path: Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main
Value name (default unticked) : Secondary Start Pages
Value type : REG_MULTI_SZ
Value data : http://www.bbc.co.uk
4) Now repeat the steps for the proxy settings you want. For example to enable the use proxy tick box we know the settings are :
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet SettingsEnable proxy Settings =
ProxyEnable = DWORD, Value, 0x00000001Right click on the right hand side and click new registry item
Values we need to enter are :
Action : Update
Hive : HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Key Path: Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings
Value name (default unticked) : ProxyEnable
Value type : REG_DWORD
Value data : 00000001 (Hex)
It looks like this when done.
Repeat the steps for each registry key you want to change. Then apply it to the right OU. Job done…..