Disable Edge SmartScreen DNS requests
- Windows onlyThis script improves your privacy on Windows
- Single actionThis page belongs to a script, containing basic changes to achieve a task.
- Impact: Medium
System Functionality / Data Loss Risk: Moderate
This action improves privacy with minimal impact when you run the recommended script.
This action improves privacy with some impact when you run the recommended script. - Batch (batchfile)These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.
- Administrator rights requiredThis script requires privilege access to do the system changes
- Fully reversible
You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using this website.
The restore/revert methods provided here can help you fix issues.
Overview
This script stops Microsoft Defender SmartScreen from making DNS requests.
By default 1 2, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen sends DNS requests 1 2 to identify potentially harmful websites, like those involved in phishing or malware 2 3.
Disabling DNS requests stops SmartScreen from obtaining IP addresses 1 2, which enhances privacy by reducing IP data sharing. This script also improves security by reducing dependence on DNS servers. Disabling DNS requests mitigates a security risk: if DNS fails to resolve a website, the browser cannot isolate it through Web Isolation 2 3. The Center for Internet Security (CIS) recommends this action for its security benefits 2. Additionally, disabling DNS requests can improve system performance by reducing processing workload. However, this change may reduce IP-based protections 1 2, posing a security trade-off.
This script applies only to Windows devices within a Microsoft Active Directory domain or managed in similar way 2 3. It is effective only on computers under organizational management, such as those in workplaces or schools. It's not applicable to personal computers that are not managed by an organization.
This script configures the SmartScreenDnsRequestsEnabled
policy 1.
Changes will take effect after restarting the browser 1.
- This will display the message "Your browser is managed by your organization" on the settings page.
- Disabling SmartScreen may reduce your protection against phishing and malware.
- Disabling DNS requests may prevent the browser from blocking harmful sites by not checking their IP addresses.
- Security Trade-off
This action prioritizes privacy over certain security features. It's not recommended and should only be used by advanced users after understanding its implications.
Increased Privacy
Enhanced privacy through reduced data collection and trackingDecreased Security
Some security features will be disabled or limitedThis script can be reversed, this action allows you to can restore the system security.
- Use with Caution
This script is only recommended if you understand its implications.
Some non-critical or features may no longer function correctly after running this script.
This script can be fully reversed to restore changes if something goes wrong.
Sources
- Microsoft Edge Browser Policy Documentation. Microsoft Learn. learn.microsoft.com. (2024).
Original: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/deployedge/microsoft-edge-policies
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240314103512/https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/deployedge/microsoft-edge-policies#smartscreendnsrequestsenabled - Microsoft Defender SmartScreen DNS Requests Enabled (CIS LEVEL 1 MS Edge). www.syxsense.com. (2024).
Original: https://www.syxsense.com/syxsense-securityarticles/cis_benchmarks_(ms_edge)/syx-1038-12753.html
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240712102959/https://www.syxsense.com/syxsense-securityarticles/cis_benchmarks_(ms_edge)/syx-1038-12753.html - Unable to Isolate websites in Edge browser. knowledge.broadcom.com. (2024).
Original: https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/200948/unable-to-isolate-websites-in-edge-brows.html
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240712103006/https://knowledge.broadcom.com/external/article/200948/unable-to-isolate-websites-in-edge-brows.html
Apply Now
Choose one of three ways to apply:
Download script
Download and run the script directly- No app needed
- Offline usage
- Easy-to-apply
- Free
- Open-source
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable Edge SmartScreen DNS requests" using script
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Web Browser
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 5 instructions
- 1
Download
Download the script file by clicking on thebutton above.
Use button above to restore changes. - 2
Keep the file
If warned by your browser, keep the file. - 3
Open
Open the downloaded file. - 4
Exit
Once it's done, press any key to exit the window. - 5
Restart
Restart your computer for all changes to take effect.
Apply with privacy.sexy
Guided, automated application with safety checks- Recommended for most users
- Includes safety checks
- Free
- Open-source
- Popular
- Offline/Online usage
Help
How to apply or restore "Disable Edge SmartScreen DNS requests" using privacy.sexy
- ≈ 3 min to complete
- Tools: privacy.sexy
- Difficulty: Simple
- ≈ 4 instructions
- 2
Choose script
- Search for the script name: Disable Edge SmartScreen DNS requests
- Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
- 3
Run
Click on ▶️ Run button at the bottom of the page.This button only appears on desktop version (recommended). On browser, use 💾 Save button.
- Apply
- Revert
:: Configure "SmartScreenDnsRequestsEnabled" Edge policy
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge!SmartScreenDnsRequestsEnabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Edge' /v 'SmartScreenDnsRequestsEnabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
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Help
How to apply or restore "Disable Edge SmartScreen DNS requests" using commands
- ≈ 2 min to complete
- Tools: Command Prompt
- Difficulty: Medium
- ≈ 3 instructions
- 1
Open Command Prompt
Open Command Prompt as Administrator. - 2
Copy code
Copy the code: - 3
Paste & run
Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.Some changes require a system restart to take effect
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About the Creators
These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:
Reviewed By
This guide has undergone comprehensive auditing and peer review:Expert review by undergroundwires
- Verified technical accuracy and editorial standards
- Assessed system impact and user privacy risks
Public review by large community
- Privacy enthusiasts and professionals peer-reviewed
- Millions of end-users tested across different environments
History
We continually monitor our guides, their impact and all other privacy options. We update our guides when new information becomes available. On every update, we publicly store who made the change, what has been changed, why the change was made and when the change was made.