Disable "Telnet Client" feature

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script disables the Telnet Client feature in Windows.

The Telnet Client enables remote server connections 1. It is inherently insecure because it transmits all data, including sensitive credentials, in clear text without encryption 2 3. This lack of encryption makes it vulnerable to interception and misuse 3. Due to these security flaws, entities such as NIST 2, Department of Defense 2 and Microsoft 1 recommend removing or disabling this feature.

Although this feature is disabled by default in newer versions of Windows 1, ensuring that it remains disabled can prevent accidental or unauthorized use.

Caution

This may lead to reduced functionality or connectivity issues, particularly in enterprise environments where remote administration is necessary.

Overview of default feature statuses

Feature name	TelnetClient
Display name	Telnet Client
Description	Allows you to connect to other computers remotely.
Default (Windows 11 ≥ 23H2)	🔴 Disabled
Default (Windows 10 ≥ 22H2)	🔴 Disabled

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Safe for General Use

This script is recommended for all users. It helps to improve privacy without affecting stability.

Implementation Details

• Language: batch

• Required Privileges: Administrator rights

• Compatibility: Windows only

• Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

Explore Categories

Disable insecure remote administration access

This action belongs to Disable insecure remote administration access category. This category improves security by disabling insecure remote administration features. Organizations use remote administration tools to manage multiple systems from a central location, performing tasks such as software updates, system checks, and configuration changes. However, if not properly... Read more on category page ▶

Improve network security

This action belongs to Improve network security category. This category is dedicated to improving network security. It aims to minimize vulnerabilities by offering various settings that improve the integrity and confidentiality of data transmitted over the network. It features a range of measures to protect data transmission from unauthorized access,... Read more on category page ▶

Security improvements

This action belongs to Security improvements category. This category encompasses a range of scripts designed to improve the security of your system by enforcing security best practices. These scripts help protect your system against various types of cyber threats and unauthorized access. 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 "Telnet Client" feature.
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

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

2. Type cmd

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

---

Windows 11

Windows 10

2. Copy the following code:

Code to apply changes

:: Disable the "TelnetClient" feature
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$featureName = 'TelnetClient'; $feature = Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName "^""$featureName"^"" -Online -ErrorAction Stop; if (-Not $feature) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: The feature `"^""$featureName`"^"" is not found. No action required."^""; Exit 0; }; if ($feature.State -eq [Microsoft.Dism.Commands.FeatureState]::Disabled) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: The feature `"^""$featureName`"^"" is already disabled. No action required."^""; Exit 0; }; try { Write-Host "^""Disabling feature: `"^""$featureName`"^""."^""; Disable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName "^""$featureName"^"" -Online -NoRestart -LogLevel ([Microsoft.Dism.Commands.LogLevel]::Errors) -WarningAction SilentlyContinue -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to disable the feature `"^""$featureName`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; Exit 1; }; Write-Output "^""Successfully disabled the feature `"^""$featureName`"^""."^""; Exit 0"

3. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
4. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code

:: Revert the 'TelnetClient' feature to its default settings
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$featureName = 'TelnetClient'; $ignoreMissingOnRevert =  $false; $disabledByDefault = $true <# $false #>; $feature = Get-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName "^""$featureName"^"" -Online -ErrorAction Stop; if (-Not $feature) { if ($ignoreMissingOnRevert) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: The feature `"^""$featureName`"^"" is not found. No action required."^""; Exit 0; }; Write-Error "^""Failed to revert changes to the feature `"^""$featureName`"^"". The feature is not found."^""; Exit 1; }; if ($feature.State -eq [Microsoft.Dism.Commands.FeatureState]::Enabled) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: The feature `"^""$featureName`"^"" is already enabled. No action required."^""; Exit 0; }; if ($disabledByDefault) { Write-Output "^""Skipping: The feature `"^""$featureName`"^"" is already disabled and this is the default configuration."^""; Exit 0; }; try { Write-Host "^""Enabling feature: `"^""$featureName`"^""."^""; Enable-WindowsOptionalFeature -FeatureName "^""$featureName"^"" -Online -NoRestart -LogLevel ([Microsoft.Dism.Commands.LogLevel]::Errors) -WarningAction SilentlyContinue -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to enable feature `"^""$featureName`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; Exit 1; }; Write-Output "^""Successfully enabled the feature `"^""$featureName`"^""."^""; Exit 0"

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