Block Microsoft connectivity check hosts (breaks internet connection status, captive portals)
This script prevents Windows from connecting to Microsoft connectivity check URLs. This script enhances your privacy by blocking specific hosts that Microsoft uses to collect your IP address. The blocked hosts are: "msftncsi.com" • "www.msftncsi.com" • "dns.msftncsi.com" • "ipv6.msftncsi.com" • "msftconnecttest.com" • "www.msftconnecttest.com" • "ipv6.msftconnecttest.com" However, this script may cause several side effects: It disrupts captive portal (hotspot) detection. • It impairs functionali...
Disable "Network List Service (NLS)" service (breaks connectivity status, network identification, network connection icon, connectivity with some Microsoft apps)
This script disables "Network List Service (NLS)" service. This service is technically identified as "netprofm". NLS collects and stores properties for connected networks and notifies applications of changes. It manages network-related information similarly to how a computer caches domain name IP addresses. Benefits of disabling NLS: Disabling this service halts communication with Microsoft servers for connectivity detection. Any service or application is a potential point of attack. It's a secu...
Disable "Network Location Awareness (NLA)" service (breaks auto-reconnect, connectivity status, network identification)
This script disables the Network Location Awareness (NLA) service. NLA collects and stores network configuration information and notifies programs of changes. This data collection can pose privacy concerns. It determines network connectivity type and properties, helping Windows manage connections. NLA uses the Network Connectivity Status Indicator (NCSI) to assess internet connectivity. NCSI is responsible for detecting Internet connectivity status. Key functions of NLA: Generates unique identif...
Disable active connectivity tests (breaks internet connection status, captive portals)
This script prevents Network Connectivity Status Indicator (NCSI) from performing active connectivity checks. Active Probing Overview - NCSI checks internet connectivity by requesting and downloading specific web pages. This process is also known as active probing or active tests. Active probing checks internet connection by accessing certain URLs: "http://www.msftconnecttest.com/connecttest.txt". • "http://www.msftconnecttest.com/redirect". • "http://www.msftncsi.com/ncsi.txt" (on earlier v...
Disable passive connectivity tests (breaks internet connection status)
This script stops passive connectivity checks on your Windows device. Passive connectivity tests are also known as Network Connectivity Status Indicator (NCSI) or passive polling. It tracks the network activity of applications on your computer. This feature is turned on by default. These tests run every 15 seconds by default. They use information from received data, such as recently sent or received packets and their Time To Live (TTL) values, to determine network status. When NCSI fails to ...
Remove "Network Connectivity Status Indicator (NCSI)" app (breaks internet connection status icon)
This script removes the "NcsiUwpApp" system app. It is also known as the "Network Connectivity Status Indicator Universal Windows Platform App". It is primarily responsible for indicating network connectivity status. The NCSI feature provides the functionality that allows Windows to offer visual feedback on network connection status, usually seen at the bottom-right of the taskbar. It is used not only by the Windows operating system but also by third-party applications for determining network co...