Windows

Microsoft Support: Limit Extra Diagnostic Downloads on Windows

Featured-image_MSDT.
Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool: Restrict tool download

The Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool (MSDT) collects diagnostic data for support professionals to analyze. MSDT may prompt users to download extra debugging tools for some issues. These tools are necessary to troubleshoot the issue fully. If tool download is restricted, it may be impossible to identify the source of the problem. If you enable this policy setting for remote troubleshooting, MSDT will request the user to download additional tools to diagnose problems solely on remote PCs.

Enabling this policy for local and remote troubleshooting ensures Windows prompts for additional tool downloads. Disabling it prevents MS from diagnosing remote issues through tool downloads. When not configured, users are notified by Microsoft Support before downloading tools. No reboots or service restarts are necessary for this policy setting to take effect. Changes take effect immediately.

To learn more on some tools, you can read these: Workaround for Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool VulnerabilityHow to turn on Windows 10 Tamper Protection for Microsoft DefenderMicrosoft Endpoint Manager: How to manage Microsoft Defender Antivirus with Group Policy and Microsoft Malware Protection via the Command Line UtilitySmart App Control and how to enable Phishing Protection: Windows 11 New Security FeaturesNew Windows 11 encryption features and security enhancements will help protect hybrid work.

How to Restrict Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool Download Using Group Policy Editor

Follow the steps below to stop the troubleshooting wizard from downloading additional tools on your Microsoft Support using the Group Policy Editor.

Press Windows key + R to open the Run Dialog Box and type gpedit.msc to open the Group Policy Editor.

Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool
Opening Group Policy Editor

Go to: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > System >Troubleshooting and Diagnostics > Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool

Double-click on the Microsoft Support Diagnostic: Restrict Tool Download.

Microsoft Support tool download control
Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool group policy setting

In the pop-up window, check Disabled and click on Ok.

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Microsoft Support Diagnostic Tool group policy setting

How to Restrict MSDT Download via the Registry

To stop the troubleshooting wizard from downloading additional tools on your PC via the registry, follow the steps below.

Press Windows key + R to open the Run Dialog Box and type regedit to open the Registry Editor.

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Opening the Registry Editor

Enter the following path in the registry editor search bar:

Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\WDI{C295FBBA-FD47-46ac-8BEE-B1715EC634E5}
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Registry Editor

Double-click on DownloadToolsEnabled and change the value data from 0 to 1 if not already so.

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Registry Editor

I hope you found this blog post helpful. If you have any questions, please let me know in the comment session.

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