Share via

Internet Explorer WPAD Diagnostic - All versions

  • Article

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.

The Internet Explorer WPAD Diagnostic was designed to reset and collect data related to Internet Explorer's Automatically Detect Settings activity used to troubleshoot Internet Explorer connectivity issues related to Proxy Automatic Discovery.

Original product version:   Internet Explorer 9
Original KB number:   2668985

Actions performed by Internet Explorer WPAD Data Collection

Internet Explorer WPAD Data Collection will perform the following actions:

  • Prompt to choose the affected user

  • Prompt for user credentials

  • Clear Temporary Internet Files on Internet Explorer+, delete .pac/.dat files on Internet Explorer 6

  • Start network trace (netsh for Win7/2k8r2, nmcap for Vista/2k8, netcap for XP 2k3)

    Note

    It will prompt and open browser to NM3.4 download on Vista/2k8 if not already installed.

  • Prompt that includes information on the deletion of the contents of Internet Explorer Connections registry keys

  • Save connections keys to user's desktop

  • Delete HKLM/HKCU/, HKLM\Wow6432Node, and HKCU\Wow6432Node Connections key contents if they exist

  • Release and renew IP address

  • Launch Internet Explorer as selected user

  • Stop and collect network traces

Information collected by Internet Explorer WPAD Data Collection

Internet Explorer Connections Key Activity Log

Description File Name
Connections Key: {ComputerName}_{UserName}_Connections.txt
Connections Key: {ComputerName}_{UserName}_Connections.txt

IPConfig Activity Log

Description File Name
IPConfig Output: {ComputerName}_ReleaseRenewIP.txt

Network Trace Files (Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2)

Description File Name
Network Trace Log: {ComputerName}_Netsh.txt
Network Trace File: InternetClient.etl
Network Trace Cab: InternetClient.cab

Network Trace Files (Windows Vista, Windows Server 2008)

Description File Name
Network Trace Log: {ComputerName}_{UserName}_NMcap_Trace_DisplayNet.txt
Network Trace File: {ComputerName}_NMcap.cap

Network Trace Files (Windows XP, Windows Server 2003)

Description File Name
Network Trace Log: {ComputerName}_{UserName}_NMcap_Trace_DisplayNet.txt
Network Trace File: {ComputerName}_capture0.cap
Network Trace File: {ComputerName}_capture1.cap
Network Trace File: {ComputerName}_capture2.cap
Network Trace File: {ComputerName}_capture3.cap
Network Trace File: {ComputerName}_capture4.cap
Network Trace File: {ComputerName}_capture5.cap

Internet Explorer 6 Autoproxy Files

Description File Name
Internet Explorer 6 Autoproxy File Log: {ComputerName}_{UserName}_IE6_Autoproxy_file_log.txt

Additional information

In addition to the files collected as part of this diagnostic, the following files are also saved to the selected user's desktop if the related registry keys are present:

Internet Explorer Connections Key Exported Registry Keys Saved to User's Desktop

Description File Name
Connections Key: {ComputerName}{UserName} HKU_Connections<YearDayMonth-HourMinute>.REG.txt
Connections Key: {ComputerName}{UserName} HKU_Wow6432Node_Connections<YearDayMonth-HourMinute >.REG.txt
Connections Key: {ComputerName}{UserName} HKLM_Connections<YearDayMonth-HourMinute >.REG.txt
Connections Key: {ComputerName}{UserName} HKLM_Wow6432Node_Connections<YearDayMonth-HourMinute >.REG.txt

References

For more information, see Frequently asked questions about the Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT).