Prevent users and apps from accessing dangerous websites: registry value EnableNetworkProtectionComputerHKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Exploit Guard\Network Protection

Policy ID: ExploitGuard_EnableNetworkProtection
Scope: Computer Configuration
Supported on: At least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10 Version 1709
Source: Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category: Windows Components › Microsoft Defender Antivirus › Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard › Network Protection

Registry

EnableNetworkProtection

-Computer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Exploit Guard\Network Protection Current key

EnableNetworkProtection

REG_DWORDComputer

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Exploit Guard\Network Protection Current key

Enabled value: Depends on the option value
Element: -

Options
Item	Stored value
Disable (Default)	0
Block	1
Audit Mode	2

Apply with .reg · CMD · PowerShell

.reg

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Exploit Guard\Network Protection]

; Options (use only one)
; Disable (Default)
"EnableNetworkProtection"=dword:00000000
; Block
"EnableNetworkProtection"=dword:00000001
; Audit Mode
"EnableNetworkProtection"=dword:00000002

CMD

:: Options (use only one)

:: Disable (Default)
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Exploit Guard\Network Protection" /v "EnableNetworkProtection" /t REG_DWORD /d 0 /f
:: Block
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Exploit Guard\Network Protection" /v "EnableNetworkProtection" /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f
:: Audit Mode
reg add "HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Exploit Guard\Network Protection" /v "EnableNetworkProtection" /t REG_DWORD /d 2 /f

PowerShell

# Common: create the key
New-Item -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Exploit Guard\Network Protection' -Force | Out-Null

# Options (use only one)
# Disable (Default)
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Exploit Guard\Network Protection' -Name 'EnableNetworkProtection' -PropertyType DWord -Value 0 -Force | Out-Null
# Block
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Exploit Guard\Network Protection' -Name 'EnableNetworkProtection' -PropertyType DWord -Value 1 -Force | Out-Null
# Audit Mode
New-ItemProperty -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Windows Defender Exploit Guard\Network Protection' -Name 'EnableNetworkProtection' -PropertyType DWord -Value 2 -Force | Out-Null