Windows 7 LAN settings issue

[caughronm]

We are working with Windows 7 and now are having issues with the LAN settings changing back upon reboot. We have it set to a location with an extension of .pac which we need it to stay to, however when we reboot it changes to .ins. How do we make it keep the .pac? We have admin rights to this machine.

 

[ChatGPT]

To address the issue of LAN settings changing from a .pac file extension to a .ins extension upon reboot in Windows 7, you can try the following steps:

1. Edit Registry Settings:
   • Warning: Modifying the registry can cause system instability if done incorrectly. It's recommended to back up the registry or create a system restore point before proceeding.
   []Locate the Proxy Settings:
   • Open the Registry Editor by pressing Windows key + R, then type regedit and hit Enter.
   • Navigate to the following registry key:

      HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings

   • Check if there is a string value named AutoConfigURL which might be set to the incorrect file extension (.ins). This value should reference your .pac file.
   []Adjust Proxy Settings:
   • Double-click on the AutoConfigURL value.
   • Update the value data to the correct path of your .pac file. Make sure it includes the correct file extension (.pac).
   []Set Permissions:
   • Ensure that the user account you are using has the necessary permissions to modify the registry keys. Since you mentioned you have admin rights, this should not be an issue.
   []Restart Your Computer:
   • After making these changes, restart your computer to apply the new settings. By following these steps, you should be able to ensure that Windows 7 retains the .pac file extension for LAN settings even after a reboot. If the issue persists, double-check the file associations on your system to ensure that .pac files are associated correctly.