Whether you just built a Windows Server 2008 Test system or your using Windows Server 2008 as a desktop (like me), Turning off or Disabling the IE Enhanced Security Configuration (also known as IE ESC) is one of the first things I always do.
The steps are simple. If any questions arise, please feel free to start a new Topic in the Free Groovy Support Forum or leave a comment here.
1. Close all instances of Internet Explorer. Open Server Manager 
and Click Configure IE ESC
2. Under Administrators, Click Off Radio Button and Click OK
Note: In most cases/uses, there is no need to turn off IE ESC for Users, however, if you plan to use the server for Terminal Services or a shared desktop OS, etc… Select the Off Radio Button under Users as well.
All done! Very straightforward and groovy eh? Although the process is a bit different from previous Microsoft OSs, once you know where it’s hiding, it’s simple.
Tags: security, Internet Explorer, IE-ESC, windows server 2008
7 Comments
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Daniel Anderson
October 29, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Great Post, IE Enhanced Security Configuration is a pain in the neck if you are usign Server 2008 as a desktop OS.
Tony
October 30, 2008 at 9:01 am
All good but, a warning to System Admins. You really shouldn’t be using IE from a production server anyway. We actually block Port 80 outbound for most of our production server farms.
Tony
October 30, 2008 at 9:07 am
BTW – If you want to automate this (disable IE ESC) from command line – I found a nice blog post here: http://www.itedge.net/blog/2007/08/08/disable-ie7-protected-mode-on-windows-server-2008
Nice for new server builds and such.
MrGroove
October 30, 2008 at 10:59 am
@Daniel – Couldn’t agree with you more! :)
@Tony – Thanks for the FYI – Link on the command line. I also agree with you about using PRODUCTION servers to browse websites. Not a good idea. Test servers however is a different story.
jagadeeshnath
November 1, 2008 at 3:29 am
solved my issue thanks
peg chambers
January 5, 2009 at 12:28 pm
i am trying to delete internet explorer 2008 and get into 2007
Kamche
June 23, 2010 at 3:12 am
Easiest way to disable Enhanced Internet Explorer Security configuration for windows 2003,
Go – >Tools -> Internet Options -> Tad Advanced – > Uncheck (Display Enhanced security configuration dialog)
Apply -> Ok