is it possible to change IE proxy settings from command line

Question

I am looking for options which will allow me change connection proxy information of IE thru command line.

Answer 1

IE proxy settings are controlled via registry keys. In general you should change them manually since this implementation detail can change between versions. However, as a debugging tool its useful.

Anyway, you can change registry keys from the command line using the REG command. Specifically, I would just create some .reg files with the various states you want to change to and do REG IMPORT example-file.reg. Or, failing that, REG ADD.

Answer 2

proxycfg might be the tool you are looking for.

C:\>proxycfg /?
Microsoft (R) WinHTTP Default Proxy Configuration Tool
Copyright (c) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

usage:

    proxycfg -?  : to view help information

    proxycfg     : to view current WinHTTP proxy settings

    proxycfg [-d] [-p <server-name> [<bypass-list>]]

        -d : set direct access
        -p : set proxy server(s), and optional bypass list

    proxycfg -u  : import proxy settings from current user's
                   Microsoft Internet Explorer manual settings (in HKCU)

It works well in windows XP
In next windows versions, you can use:

C:\>netsh winhttp import proxy source=ie

to import proxy settings from Internet Explorer and

C:\>netsh winhttp reset proxy

to reset proxy settings for more help, use:

C:\>netsh winhttp /?

But these changes might not get reflected in Internet Explorer. Nonetheless, you should be able to use proxy in command line applications.