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Disable insecure "RC4" ciphers

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Works with Windows 10 and 11Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8, 10, 11, and Windows Server 2008 or newer.
  • 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 disables the RC4 ciphers.

This script only affects the SSL/TLS handshake process. The SSL/TLS handshake is a key part of establishing a secure connection over the internet. By disabling this weak algorithm, the script improves the security of the connection.

Authorities like Microsoft 1 2 3 4 5, NIST (FIPS) 6, CIS 7, Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) 8, OWASP 9, and NSA (National Security Agency) 10 classify this algorithm as weak and recommend against its use.

This script disables these cipher algorithms:

  • RC4 128/128 1 6 7 8 (128-bit RC4 6):
  • Enabled by default 6 7.
  • Disabling it disallows the following cipher suites:
    • SSL_RSA_WITH_RC4_128_MD5 1 6
    • SSL_RSA_WITH_RC4_128_SHA 1 6
    • TLS_RSA_WITH_RC4_128_MD5 1 6
    • TLS_RSA_WITH_RC4_128_SHA 1 6
  • RC4 64/128 2 6 7 8 (64-bit RC4 6):
  • Enabled by default 6.
  • Disabling it affects the functionality of the **Microsoft Money application 6.
  • RC4 56/128 3 6 7 8 (56-bit RC4 6):
  • Enabled by default 6.
  • Disabling it disallows the following cipher suites:
    • TLS_RSA_EXPORT1024_WITH_RC4_56_SHA 3 6
  • RC4 40/128 4 6 7 8 (40-bit RC4 6):
  • Enabled by default 6.
  • Disabling this algorithm will disallow the following cipher suites:
    • SSL_RSA_EXPORT_WITH_RC4_40_MD5 4 6
    • TLS_RSA_EXPORT_WITH_RC4_40_MD5 4 6
Caution

This may cause compatibility issues with older devices or software.

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
PrivacyLearn.com maintains strict sourcing standards for accuracy, integrity and up-to-date content. Our content relies on authoritative sources including vendor documentation, industry standards, and verified research. Learn more about our verification process and quality standards in our editorial standards page.

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 insecure "RC4" ciphers" using script​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Web Browser
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 5 instructions
  1. 1

    Download

    Download the script file by clicking on the   Apply protection  button above.
    Use   Undo protection button above to restore changes.
  2. 2

    Keep the file

    If warned by your browser, keep the file.
  3. 3

    Open

    Open the downloaded file.
  4. 4

    Exit

    Once it's done, press any key to exit the window.
  5. 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
Open privacy.sexy
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable insecure "RC4" ciphers" using privacy.sexy​

  • ≈ 3 min to complete
  • Tools: privacy.sexy
  • Difficulty: Simple
  • ≈ 4 instructions
privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily with more advanced options.
  1. 1

    Open or download

    Open or download the desktop application
  2. 2

    Choose script

    1. Search for the script name: Disable insecure "RC4" ciphers
    2. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
  3. 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.

Run commands​

Copy and run commands manually Requires technical knowledge
Apply changes
:: Disable the use of "RC4 128/128" cipher algorithm for TLS/SSL connections
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Ciphers\RC4 128/128!Enabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Ciphers\RC4 128/128'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Ciphers\RC4 128/128' /v 'Enabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Disable the use of "RC4 64/128" cipher algorithm for TLS/SSL connections
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Ciphers\RC4 64/128!Enabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Ciphers\RC4 64/128'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Ciphers\RC4 64/128' /v 'Enabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Disable the use of "RC4 56/128" cipher algorithm for TLS/SSL connections
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Ciphers\RC4 56/128!Enabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Ciphers\RC4 56/128'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Ciphers\RC4 56/128' /v 'Enabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Disable the use of "RC4 40/128" cipher algorithm for TLS/SSL connections
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Ciphers\RC4 40/128!Enabled"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Ciphers\RC4 40/128'; $data = '0'; reg add 'HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\SecurityProviders\SCHANNEL\Ciphers\RC4 40/128' /v 'Enabled' /t 'REG_DWORD' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
Help

How to apply or restore "Disable insecure "RC4" ciphers" using commands​

  • ≈ 2 min to complete
  • Tools: Command Prompt
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • ≈ 3 instructions
 View step-by-step guide with screenshots
  1. 1

    Open Command Prompt

    Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
  2. 2

    Copy code

    Copy the code:
    Copy Apply Code Copy Revert Code
  3. 3

    Paste & run

    Paste the commands into Command Prompt and press Enter to run.

    Some changes require a system restart to take effect

Similar Guides​

Wider Goal​

Guides below includes this guide to achieve a wider goal.

See other more general settings that includes this one as one of its actions.

These plans combine multiple privacy settings, including this one, for stronger protection.

This category improves network security by disabling outdated and less secure cipher suites. Cipher suites are sets of cryptographic algorithms used to secure netw...
Visit category page

Same Goal​

Other guides in Disable insecure ciphers 

See settings that are in the same category as this guide.

Using other actions in the same category may help you achieve your goal better.

Disable insecure "RC2" ciphers
Disable insecure "DES" cipher
Disable insecure "Triple DES" cipher
Disable insecure "NULL" cipher

About the Creators​

These people have authored this documentation and written its scripts:

  • Avatar of undergroundwires. The creator of PrivacyLearn and privacy.sexy. Black and white portrait showing a person wearing a polka dot tie and suit jacket, reflecting the professional expertise behind the privacy protection tools.
    • Certified security professional
    • 7+ years experience securing banks
    • Open-source developer since 2005
    • EU advisor, Public Speaker, Moderator
    • Hundreds across the globe
    • Testers, reviewers, developers
    • Companies, military agencies
    • Community since 2017
About Us

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.

Review Change History Our Change Process