How to Disable Proxy on Windows 11, 10, 8 and 7

August 18, 2025
6

You may need to disable proxy on Windows for several reasons, including unstable network connections, recurring failures, slow page loading, and:

  • inability to access local websites;

  • constant connection error pop-ups;

  • browser messages such as “Unable to connect to proxy server” or “ERR_PROXY_CONNECTION_FAILED”;

  • suspicion of malware activity;

  • changes in network policies.

When these problems arise, users often try to troubleshoot on their own, such as launching the browser in incognito mode. This temporarily disables cache, cookies, and extensions, helping check if these are causing the issue. However, this method does not affect configurations set manually, automatically, or by malicious software. For complete diagnostics and resolution, you may need to disable the proxy server on Windows 7 and later.

Steps to Disable Proxy on Windows OS

One way on how to disable proxy on windows 11 and 10 is through the system “Settings” app.

  1. Press the “Win+I” shortcut and select “Network & Internet”.

  2. On the left, choose “Proxy”, and toggle the switch to “Off” in either the manual configuration or automatic connection section.

Disabling via Windows Registry

Another method is using the system registry, it works for all the versions of OS.

  1. Press “Win+R” and enter “regedit”.

  2. Navigate to: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings. Find the parameters: “ProxyEnable” and “ProxyServer”. Set “ProxyEnable” to “0”.

  3. For “ProxyServer”, clear the value so the field is empty.

After editing the registry, restart your device.

How to Disable Proxy on Windows Using Control Panel

This method works on how to disable proxy on Windows 8 and for for newer versions.

  1. Press “Win+R” and enter “control”.

  2. Set the view mode to “Small icons.” Select “Internet Options”.

  3. In the new window, navigate to the “Connections” tab and choose “LAN settings”.

  4. Here’s how to disable manual proxy setup in Windows 10 and higher – just uncheck the appropriate boxes.

Disabling via Command Prompt

To disable the proxy on Windows through the command line, enter: netsh winhttp reset proxy.

To verify that settings are disabled, use: netsh winhttp show proxy.

These commands manage the system-level settings in Windows (WinHTTP), which are used by services, scripts, and applications without a graphical interface.

Note: They do not disable intermediaries configured by the user through internal settings or the registry (WinINet). To disable user-level connections, use the methods described above.

Proxy Keeps Re-Enabling Automatically – What to Do?

If it turns back on automatically after you have manually disabled it, the causes may include:

  • The “Automatically detect settings” option is enabled or a path to a PAC script is specified in the Windows system settings (available via “Internet Properties” or “Network Settings”).

  • In a domain network, the administrator may have enforced proxy use. To fix this, open the Group Policy Editor: press “Win+R” and type gpedit.msc. Navigate to “User Configuration”, “Administrative Templates”, “Windows Components”, “Internet Explorer”, “Internet Control Panel”, “Connections”. Find the “Proxy Settings” option and select “Disabled”.

Note that this feature is available in Windows 7, 8, Windows 10 Enterprise and Pro. In other versions and builds of Microsoft operating systems, editing such settings via group policy is unavailable.

  • Malware can also modify network settings, including constantly re-enabling proxy usage. Run a scan with your antivirus or use specialized tools such as AdwCleaner or Malwarebytes to remove potentially unwanted or malicious software.

  • After removing malware, it is recommended to check the system startup list – there may still be programs left that change network settings. To do this, press “Win+R” and use “msconfig”, or open Task Manager and go to the “Startup” tab. Disable any suspicious or unnecessary applications.

Conclusion

Disabling the proxy server is an important and effective way to resolve access issues with online resources. Regular checks and correct parameters help ensure a stable connection, protect personal data, and prevent unexpected browser and application restrictions.

For reliable performance, use only trusted connection sources, such as private IPv4 proxies, and regularly check for malware and adjust network policies as needed.

FAQ

Which types of proxy settings are affected by the disabling methods described in the article?

All the methods described in the article apply only to system settings in Windows (WinINet and WinHTTP). They do not affect new connections set up in individual browsers (such as Firefox) or in third-party applications (such as Proxifier).

Can SOCKS proxies be disabled through Windows system settings?

No. The SOCKS protocol is not supported at the Windows system settings level – this type of configuration cannot be set or disabled via “Settings,” “Control Panel,” or the command line. If a SOCKS was enabled through a third-party app (like Proxifier or ProxyCap), it must be disabled through that application’s interface.

Is it possible to completely disable all proxies in Windows with a single command?

No, there is no universal command for this. You need to disable it at both the WinINet (user settings) and WinHTTP (system services) levels, and additionally ensure there are no PAC files, VPN clients, or third-party apps active.