When setting up development servers on Windows Server 2008 R2, Internet Explorer's Protected Mode can become more of a hindrance than a help. While the security feature is valuable for production environments, it often blocks legitimate development activities like:

• Local script debugging
• Cross-domain AJAX testing
• Browser-based automation
• ActiveX control development

For automated server setups, modifying the registry is the most efficient approach. Create a .reg file with the following content:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3]
"2500"=dword:00000003

This disables Protected Mode for the Internet Zone (Zone 3). For Intranet sites (Zone 1), modify the corresponding key instead.

For domain-joined development servers, Group Policy offers centralized management:

1. Open gpedit.msc
2. Navigate to:
   Computer Configuration → Administrative Templates → Windows Components → Internet Explorer → Internet Control Panel → Security Page
3. Enable "Turn off Protected Mode" for desired zones

For scripted server deployments, use this PowerShell snippet:

# Disable Protected Mode for Internet Zone
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3" -Name "2500" -Value 3 -Type DWord

# Optional: Disable for Local Intranet Zone (Zone 1)
Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\1" -Name "2500" -Value 3 -Type DWord

After making changes, verify the configuration:

1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Check the status bar - "Protected Mode: Off" should appear
3. Test with development tools like F12 Developer Tools

Important security notes when disabling this feature:

• Only apply these changes to development/testing environments
• Consider creating separate security zones for development resources
• Implement compensating controls like network isolation
• Document the changes in your server build documentation

When setting up development servers on Windows Server 2008 R2, Internet Explorer's Protected Mode can become a significant obstacle. This security feature, while useful for production environments, often interferes with local development tasks such as:

• Testing intranet applications
• Debugging local web services
• Accessing development tools that require elevated permissions

Here's how to completely disable Protected Mode for all security zones:

1. Open Local Group Policy Editor (gpedit.msc)
2. Navigate to: Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Internet Explorer -> Internet Control Panel -> Security Page
3. For each zone (Internet, Local intranet, Trusted sites, Restricted sites):

   a. Double-click "Turn on Protected Mode"
   b. Select "Disabled"
   c. Click Apply

4. Apply changes to all users:

   gpupdate /force

For environments where Group Policy isn't available, use this registry script:

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\1]
"2500"=dword:00000003

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\2]
"2500"=dword:00000003

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\3]
"2500"=dword:00000003

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\4]
"2500"=dword:00000003

Save as disable_protected_mode.reg and double-click to apply.

After making changes:

• Restart Internet Explorer
• Check the status bar - "Protected Mode: Off" should appear
• If changes don't apply:

  regsvr32 actxprxy.dll
  regsvr32 shdocvw.dll
  iexplore.exe -noframemerging

Remember that disabling Protected Mode reduces security. Recommended precautions:

• Only disable on development machines
• Implement alternative security measures like:

  # PowerShell script to enable Enhanced Protected Mode
  Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main" -Name "Isolation" -Value "PMEM"

• Re-enable Protected Mode before deploying to production

For multiple servers, use this PowerShell script:

# Disable IE Protected Mode for all zones
$zones = 1..4
foreach ($zone in $zones) {
    Set-ItemProperty -Path "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Zones\$zone" -Name "2500" -Value 3
}

# Refresh settings
Stop-Process -Name iexplore -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
Start-Process "iexplore.exe" -ArgumentList "about:blank"