Warning: The retired, out-of-support Internet Explorer 11 desktop application has been permanently disabled through a Microsoft Edge update on certain versions of Windows 10. For more information, see Internet Explorer 11 desktop app retirement FAQ.
Symptoms
Assume that you configure Internet Explorer 11 or Internet Explorer 10 to use the Automatic detect settings or Use automatic configuration script option. Then, the automatic proxy configuration file is downloaded from a web server, and it is stored in the browser cache with a configured expiration date. When the cache lifetime for this automatic proxy configuration file is expired, Internet Explorer should check whether a newer version is stored on the server. Then, Internet Explorer should download it so that the changes in proxy configuration can be applied. However, this behavior does not occur.
Resolution
Update information
To resolve this problem, install the most recent cumulative security update for Internet Explorer. To do this, go to Microsoft Update. Additionally, see the technical information about the most recent cumulative security update for Internet Explorer.
Note This update was first included in security update MS14-056: Cumulative security update for Internet Explorer: October 14, 2014.
Registry information
Warning Serious problems might occur if you modify the registry incorrectly by using Registry Editor or by using another method. These problems might require that you reinstall the operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that these problems can be solved. Modify the registry at your own risk.
After you apply this update, you must change the registry in order to activate the functionality. To do this, follow these steps.
For x86-based systems
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Select Start, select Run, enter regedit, and then select OK.
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Locate the following registry subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl\
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Right-click FeatureControl, point to New, and then select Key.
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Enter FEATURE_ENABLE_PROXY_CACHE_REFRESH_KB2983228, and then press Enter to name the new subkey.
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Right-click FEATURE_ENABLE_PROXY_CACHE_REFRESH_KB2983228, point to New, and then select DWORD Value.
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Enter iexplore.exe, and then press Enter to name the new entry.
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Right-click iexplore.exe, and then select Modify.
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In the Value data box, enter 1, and then select OK.
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Exit Registry Editor.
For x64-based systems
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Select Start, select Run, enter regedit, and then select OK.
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Expand the following subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl
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Right-click FeatureControl, point to New, and then select Key.
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Enter FEATURE_ENABLE_PROXY_CACHE_REFRESH_KB2983228, and then press Enter to name the new subkey.
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Right-click FEATURE_ENABLE_PROXY_CACHE_REFRESH_KB2983228, point to New, and then select DWORD Value.
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Enter iexplore.exe, and then press Enter to name the new entry.
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Right-click iexplore.exe, and then select Modify.
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In the Value data box, enter 1, and then select OK.
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Expand the following subkey:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main\FeatureControl
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Right-click FeatureControl, point to New, and then select Key.
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Enter FEATURE_ENABLE_PROXY_CACHE_REFRESH_KB2983228, and then press Enter to name the new subkey.
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Right-click FEATURE_ENABLE_PROXY_CACHE_REFRESH_KB2983228, point to New, and then select DWORD Value.
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Enter iexplore.exe, and then press Enter to name the new entry.
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Right-click iexplore.exe, and then select Modify.
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In the Value data box, enter 1, and then select OK.
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Exit Registry Editor.
More Information
In Windows 8, proxy as a service architecture may not respect the cache lifetime for an automatic proxy configuration file. This behavior occurs when proxy resolution is finished in a service.
After you apply the recent cumulative security update for Internet Explorer, Internet Explorer (Wininet) rechecks the proxy service after an hour to make sure that the proxy script is current. Therefore, even if you specify an expiry time of less than an hour for the wpad cache, Internet Explorer will re-download the new auto script only after one hour.
Status
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.
References
See the terminology that Microsoft uses to describe software updates.
