Synopsis: This article describes ways in which you can force the proxy settings on a browser.

Internet Explorer proxy settings can be automatically set on all windows 2000 and XP clients using the Group Policy feature in an Active Directory Domain. This way each client receives the proxy settings automatically, when logging in to the Active Directory Domain. This has several advantages. The settings need not be manually configured on each client and the proxy configuration cannot be changed by the user.

This assumes that a Windows Active Directory domain controller has already been configured.

On the Windows Active Directory global catalogue server start a Microsoft Management Console(MMC), then add the 'Group Policy' snap-in. Choose either 'Default Domain Policy' or the appropriate policy, if you already have one configured, as the 'Group Policy Object'.

Navigate to the User Configuration->Windows Settings->Internet Explorer Maintenance->Connection

Several options are available to customise and here you will find the proxy settings. Configure the settings to fit your environment. Close the MMC and ask the clients to log off and on again.

The proxy settings should now be configured on Internet Explorer on all the clients using the Policy.

Note: For a possible alternative read the WPAD Configuration Guide.