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Disable active connectivity tests (breaks internet connection status, captive portals)

Overview​

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

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 1 2 3 4 5 6. This process is also known as active probing 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 or active tests 1 2 4 7 11 12.

Active probing checks internet connection by accessing certain URLs:

  • http://www.msftconnecttest.com/connecttest.txt 5 6 7 10 12 13 14.
  • http://www.msftconnecttest.com/redirect 7.
  • http://www.msftncsi.com/ncsi.txt (on earlier versions) 4 7 12 13 15.
  • dns.msftncsi.com 3 4 6 7 15.

Windows conducts these tests by default 1 2 3. They ensure accurate reporting of internet connectivity across the system 1 2 3.

Active probes are triggered in the following situations:

  • General interface or network condition changes 6. E.g., when a wireless connection is established 6.
  • Proxy detection or changes 6.
  • Hotspot detection or changes 6.

Impacts of Disabling Active Probing​

Microsoft recommends keeping these tests enabled due to their crucial role in detecting network status 4 7. Disabling active connectivity tests may lead to:

  • Windows indicating no internet access despite an active connection 4 9 16.
  • The no internet symbol appearing even though there is internet connectivity 8 11 13 17.
  • Applications and system services that rely on NCSI's status reports may malfunction 1 2. For instance, Microsoft Outlook might fail to connect to its server, or Windows updates could fail despite an active internet connection 7.
  • Disabling NCSI tests disrupts the automatic detection of captive portals 4 5 6 17. This feature is common in public Wi-Fi networks, and its absence may inconvenience frequent users of these networks. Without this feature, connecting to these networks may require manual intervention as no popup will appear automatically.

Disabling these tests improves your privacy, by preventing:

  • The operating system from automatically checking connectivity by communicating with Microsoft servers 7 14.
  • Microsoft from collecting your IP addresses and location information through these tests 15.

Disabling these tests can also enhance security:

  • These tests carry a security risk by allowing attackers to hijack DNS and gain access to your computer 14, potentially spreading malware 10.
  • Active probes can interfere with security and privacy software such as VPN 4 6 and firewalls 4, potentially disrupting their functionality.
Caution

This may lead to:

  • Lack of immediate feedback on network status.
  • Potential functionality issues in the system and applications that rely on NCSI for network information.
  • Reduced ability of Windows and other components to determine internet connectivity.
  • Windows and other software may incorrectly report that you're offline.
  • Issues with automatically opening the sign-in page when a captive portal (hotspot) is detected.

Technical Details​

This script modifies the following registry settings:

  • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\NetworkConnectivityStatusIndicator!NoActiveProbe 1 2 7 9 12. This setting affects components like ncsi.dll 18. It requires a computer restart to take effect 12.
  • HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NlaSvc\Parameters\Internet!EnableActiveProbing 3 4 7 9 11 13. This setting affects components like ncsi.dll 18 and WebRuntimeManager.dll 19.

Some sources may suggest modifying HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\NetworkConnectivityStatusIndicator!EnableActiveProbing registry key. However, this key is undocumented and this script does not modify this undocumented setting.

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Implementation Details

  • Language: batch

  • Required Privileges: Administrator rights

  • Compatibility: Windows only

  • Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories​

This action belongs to Disable connectivity checks category. This category contains scripts that disable various connectivity checks performed by Windows. Connectivity checks allow Windows to assess network status and quality. These checks involve communication with Microsoft servers, which may raise privacy concerns. Disabling these checks reduces data... Read more on category page ▶

Apply now​

Choose one of three ways to apply:

  1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
  2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
  3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy​

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions
  1. Open or download the desktop application
  2. Search for the script name: Disable active connectivity tests (breaks internet connection status, captive portals).
  3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download​

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

  1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

    Download script

  2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script​

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy​

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
HELP: Step-by-step guide

  1. Click on Start menu

  2. Type cmd

  3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

  4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

Animation showing how to open terminal as administrator on Windows 11

  1. Copy the following code:
Code to apply changes
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\NetworkConnectivityStatusIndicator!NoActiveProbe"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\NetworkConnectivityStatusIndicator'; $data = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\NetworkConnectivityStatusIndicator' /v 'NoActiveProbe' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NlaSvc\Parameters\Internet!EnableActiveProbing"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NlaSvc\Parameters\Internet'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NlaSvc\Parameters\Internet' /v 'EnableActiveProbing' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Suggest restarting computer for changes to take effect
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$message = 'For the changes to fully take effect, please restart your computer.'; $warn =  $false; if ($warn) { Write-Warning "^""$message"^""; } else { Write-Host "^""Note: "^"" -ForegroundColor Blue -NoNewLine; Write-Output "^""$message"^""; }"
  1. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
  2. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code​

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\NetworkConnectivityStatusIndicator!NoActiveProbe"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\NetworkConnectivityStatusIndicator' /v 'NoActiveProbe' /f 2>$null"
:: Set the registry value "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NlaSvc\Parameters\Internet!EnableActiveProbing"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$revertData = '1'; reg add 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\NlaSvc\Parameters\Internet' /v 'EnableActiveProbing' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$revertData"^"" /f"
:: Suggest restarting computer for changes to take effect
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$message = 'For the changes to fully take effect, please restart your computer.'; $warn =  $false; if ($warn) { Write-Warning "^""$message"^""; } else { Write-Host "^""Note: "^"" -ForegroundColor Blue -NoNewLine; Write-Output "^""$message"^""; }"

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