Control updater's communication with the Experimentation and Configuration Service

What it does

In Microsoft Edge Update, the Experimentation and Configuration Service is used to deploy experimentation and configuration payloads. Experimentation payload consists of a list of early-in-development features that Microsoft is enabling for testing and feedback. Configuration payload consists of a list of recommended settings that Microsoft wants to deploy to optimize the user experience. If you set this policy to 'FullMode' (1), the full payload is downloaded from the Experimentation and Configuration Service. This includes both the experimentation and configuration payloads. If you set this policy to 'ConfigurationsOnlyMode' (2), only the configuration payload is downloaded. If you set this policy to 'RestrictedMode' (0), communication with the Experimentation and Configuration Service is stopped completely. If you don't configure this policy, on a managed device the behavior is the same as policy 'ConfigurationsOnlyMode'. If you don't configure this policy, on a device that isn't managed through domain policy or device management, the behavior is the same as policy 'FullMode'.

What it writes

Hive

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

Registry key

Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate

Options

Configure and deploy

Choose a state and the option values; the output below is generated from the template for exactly that.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate]
"UpdaterExperimentationAndConfigurationServiceControl"=dword:00000001

$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'

function Set-RegistryValue {
    param(
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name,
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $PropertyType,
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][object] $Value
    )

    if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
        New-Item -Path $Path -Force | Out-Null
    }

    New-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -PropertyType $PropertyType -Value $Value -Force | Out-Null
}

function Remove-RegistryValue {
    param(
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name
    )

    if (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path) {
        Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    }
}

function Clear-RegistryKeyValues {
    param(
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path
    )

    if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
        return
    }

    foreach ($propertyName in (Get-Item -LiteralPath $Path).Property) {
        Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $propertyName -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    }
}

# Policy: Control updater's communication with the Experimentation and Configuration Service
# Name: Pol_ECSControl
# Scope: Machine
# State: Enabled
# Source: msedgeupdate.admx

Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate' -Name 'UpdaterExperimentationAndConfigurationServiceControl' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 1

./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_msedgeupdate/Pol_ECSControl

<SyncML xmlns="SYNCML:SYNCML1.2">
  <SyncBody>
    <Replace>
      <CmdID>1</CmdID>
      <Item>
        <Meta>
          <Format>chr</Format>
          <Type>text/plain</Type>
        </Meta>
        <Target>
          <LocURI>./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_msedgeupdate/Pol_ECSControl</LocURI>
        </Target>
        <Data>&lt;enabled/&gt;
&lt;data id="Part_ECSControl" value="1"/&gt;</Data>
      </Item>
    </Replace>
    <Final/>
  </SyncBody>
</SyncML>

$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'
$reasons = [System.Collections.Generic.List[string]]::new()

function Test-RegistryValueExists {
    param(
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name
    )

    if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
        return $false
    }

    return $null -ne (Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue)
}

function Test-RegistryValueEquals {
    param(
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name,
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Kind,
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][object] $Expected
    )

    if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
        return $false
    }

    $valueObject = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    if ($null -eq $valueObject) {
        return $false
    }

    $actual = $valueObject.$Name
    switch ($Kind) {
        'String' { return [string]$actual -ceq [string]$Expected }
        'ExpandString' { return [string]$actual -ceq [string]$Expected }
        'DWord' { return [uint32]$actual -eq [uint32]$Expected }
        'QWord' {
            $actualBits = if ($actual -is [uint64]) { $actual } else { [BitConverter]::ToUInt64([BitConverter]::GetBytes([int64]$actual), 0) }
            $expectedBits = if ($Expected -is [uint64]) { $Expected } else { [BitConverter]::ToUInt64([BitConverter]::GetBytes([int64]$Expected), 0) }
            return $actualBits -eq $expectedBits
        }
        'MultiString' {
            $actualArray = @($actual)
            $expectedArray = @($Expected)
            if ($actualArray.Count -ne $expectedArray.Count) { return $false }
            for ($index = 0; $index -lt $actualArray.Count; $index++) {
                if ([string]$actualArray[$index] -cne [string]$expectedArray[$index]) { return $false }
            }
            return $true
        }
        'Binary' {
            $actualArray = [byte[]]$actual
            $expectedArray = [byte[]]$Expected
            if ($actualArray.Length -ne $expectedArray.Length) { return $false }
            for ($index = 0; $index -lt $actualArray.Length; $index++) {
                if ($actualArray[$index] -ne $expectedArray[$index]) { return $false }
            }
            return $true
        }
        default { return [string]$actual -ceq [string]$Expected }
    }
}

# Policy: Control updater's communication with the Experimentation and Configuration Service
# Name: Pol_ECSControl
# Scope: Machine
# State: Enabled
# Source: msedgeupdate.admx

$isMatch = Test-RegistryValueEquals -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate' -Name 'UpdaterExperimentationAndConfigurationServiceControl' -Kind 'DWord' -Expected 1
if (-not $isMatch) {
    $reasons.Add('Value mismatch: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate\UpdaterExperimentationAndConfigurationServiceControl') | Out-Null
}

if ($reasons.Count -eq 0) {
    Write-Output 'Compliant'
    exit 0
}

$reasons | ForEach-Object { Write-Output $_ }
exit 1

$ErrorActionPreference = 'Stop'

function Set-RegistryValue {
    param(
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name,
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $PropertyType,
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][object] $Value
    )

    if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
        New-Item -Path $Path -Force | Out-Null
    }

    New-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -PropertyType $PropertyType -Value $Value -Force | Out-Null
}

function Remove-RegistryValue {
    param(
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path,
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Name
    )

    if (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path) {
        Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    }
}

function Clear-RegistryKeyValues {
    param(
        [Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string] $Path
    )

    if (-not (Test-Path -LiteralPath $Path)) {
        return
    }

    foreach ($propertyName in (Get-Item -LiteralPath $Path).Property) {
        Remove-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $propertyName -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
    }
}

# Policy: Control updater's communication with the Experimentation and Configuration Service
# Name: Pol_ECSControl
# Scope: Machine
# State: Enabled
# Source: msedgeupdate.admx

Set-RegistryValue -Path 'Registry::HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate' -Name 'UpdaterExperimentationAndConfigurationServiceControl' -PropertyType 'DWord' -Value 1

History 47 retained releases

1. 154.0.4258.3724 Sep 2026
   Registry key: Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate · Value name: Not specified
   • Translations changed; choose a language above to compare its wording.
2. 153.0.4234.4617 Sep 2026
   Registry key: Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate · Value name: Not specified
   • Description … Edge Update, the Experimentation and…[removed: payload.][added: and configuration payloads.] Experimentation payload consists of a li…[removed: early in development ][added: early-in-development ]features that Microsoft is enabling for testing…[added: Configuration payload consists of a list of rec…]If you [removed: enable (1) this policy, experimentation][added: set this policy to 'FullMode' (1), the full] payload is downloaded from the Experimentation and Config…[added: This includes both the experimentation and configuration …] If you [removed: disable (0)][added: set this policy to 'ConfigurationsOnlyMode' (2), only the configuration payload is downloaded. If you set]…
     Whole description, marked

     In Microsoft Edge Update, the Experimentation and Configuration Service is used to deploy experimentation [removed: payload.][added: and configuration payloads.] Experimentation payload consists of a list of [removed: early in development ][added: early-in-development ]features that Microsoft is enabling for testing and feedback. [added: Configuration payload consists of a list of recommended settings that Microsoft wants to deploy to optimize the user experience. ]If you [removed: enable (1) this policy, experimentation][added: set this policy to 'FullMode' (1), the full] payload is downloaded from the Experimentation and Configuration Service.[added: This includes both the experimentation and configuration payloads.] If you [removed: disable (0)][added: set this policy to 'ConfigurationsOnlyMode' (2), only the configuration payload is downloaded. If you set] this [removed: policy,][added: policy to 'RestrictedMode' (0),] communication with the Experimentation and Configuration Service is stopped completely. If you don't configure this policy, on a managed device the behavior is [added: the ]same as policy [removed: 'disabled'.][added: 'ConfigurationsOnlyMode'.] If you don't configure this policy, on [removed: an unmanaged][added: a device that isn't managed through domain policy or] device [added: management, ]the behavior is [added: the ]same as policy [removed: 'enabled'.][added: 'FullMode'.]

   • A choice in “Control updater's communication with Experimentation and Configuration Service” is renamed [was: Enable communication and download experiments (1)] → [now: Retrieve configurations and experiments (1)]
     Registry key: Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate · Value name: UpdaterExperimentationAndConfigurationServiceControl
   • “Control updater's communication with Experimentation and Configuration Service” gains the choice [added: Retrieve configurations only (2)]
     Registry key: Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate · Value name: UpdaterExperimentationAndConfigurationServiceControl
   • Default for “Control updater's communication with Experimentation and Configuration Service” [was: Enable communication and download experiments (1)] → [now: Retrieve configurations and experiments (1)]
     Registry key: Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate · Value name: UpdaterExperimentationAndConfigurationServiceControl
3. 153.0.4234.3211 Sep 2026
   Registry key: Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate · Value name: Not specified
   • Description … Edge Update, the Experimentation and…[removed: and configuration payloads.][added: payload.] Experimentation payload consists of a li…[removed: early-in-development][added: early in development] features that Microsoft is enabling for testin…[removed: Configuration payload consists of a list of rec…]If you [removed: set][added: enable (1)] this [removed: policy to 'FullMode' (1), the full ][added: policy, experimentation ]payload is downloaded from the Experimentation and Configuration Service.[removed: This includes both the experimentation and configuration payloads.]…
     Whole description, marked

     In Microsoft Edge Update, the Experimentation and Configuration Service is used to deploy experimentation [removed: and configuration payloads.][added: payload.] Experimentation payload consists of a list of [removed: early-in-development][added: early in development] features that Microsoft is enabling for testing and feedback. [removed: Configuration payload consists of a list of recommended settings that Microsoft wants to deploy to optimize the user experience. ]If you [removed: set][added: enable (1)] this [removed: policy to 'FullMode' (1), the full ][added: policy, experimentation ]payload is downloaded from the Experimentation and Configuration Service.[removed: This includes both the experimentation and configuration payloads.] If you [removed: set this policy to 'ConfigurationsOnlyMode' (2), only the configuration payload is downloaded. If you set ][added: disable (0) ]this [removed: policy to 'RestrictedMode' (0), ][added: policy, ]communication with the Experimentation and Configuration Service is stopped completely. If you don't configure this policy, on a managed device the behavior is [removed: the ]same as policy [removed: 'ConfigurationsOnlyMode'.][added: 'disabled'.] If you don't configure this policy, on [removed: a device that isn't managed through domain policy or ][added: an unmanaged ]device [removed: management, ]the behavior is [removed: the ]same as policy [removed: 'FullMode'.][added: 'enabled'.]

   • “Control updater's communication with Experimentation and Configuration Service” loses the choice [removed: Retrieve configurations only (2)]
     Registry key: Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate · Value name: UpdaterExperimentationAndConfigurationServiceControl
   • A choice in “Control updater's communication with Experimentation and Configuration Service” is renamed [was: Retrieve configurations and experiments (1)] → [now: Enable communication and download experiments (1)]
     Registry key: Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate · Value name: UpdaterExperimentationAndConfigurationServiceControl
   • Default for “Control updater's communication with Experimentation and Configuration Service” [was: Retrieve configurations and experiments (1)] → [now: Enable communication and download experiments (1)]
     Registry key: Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate · Value name: UpdaterExperimentationAndConfigurationServiceControl
4. 152.0.4191.9621 Sep 2026
   Registry key: Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate · Value name: Not specified
   • Translations changed; choose a language above to compare its wording.
5. 152.0.4191.8817 Sep 2026
   Registry key: Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate · Value name: Not specified
   • Description … Edge Update, the Experimentation and…[removed: payload.][added: and configuration payloads.] Experimentation payload consists of a li…[removed: early in development ][added: early-in-development ]features that Microsoft is enabling for testing…[added: Configuration payload consists of a list of rec…]If you [removed: enable (1) this policy, experimentation][added: set this policy to 'FullMode' (1), the full] payload is downloaded from the Experimentation and Config…[added: This includes both the experimentation and configuration …] If you [removed: disable (0)][added: set this policy to 'ConfigurationsOnlyMode' (2), only the configuration payload is downloaded. If you set]…
     Whole description, marked

     In Microsoft Edge Update, the Experimentation and Configuration Service is used to deploy experimentation [removed: payload.][added: and configuration payloads.] Experimentation payload consists of a list of [removed: early in development ][added: early-in-development ]features that Microsoft is enabling for testing and feedback. [added: Configuration payload consists of a list of recommended settings that Microsoft wants to deploy to optimize the user experience. ]If you [removed: enable (1) this policy, experimentation][added: set this policy to 'FullMode' (1), the full] payload is downloaded from the Experimentation and Configuration Service.[added: This includes both the experimentation and configuration payloads.] If you [removed: disable (0)][added: set this policy to 'ConfigurationsOnlyMode' (2), only the configuration payload is downloaded. If you set] this [removed: policy,][added: policy to 'RestrictedMode' (0),] communication with the Experimentation and Configuration Service is stopped completely. If you don't configure this policy, on a managed device the behavior is [added: the ]same as policy [removed: 'disabled'.][added: 'ConfigurationsOnlyMode'.] If you don't configure this policy, on [removed: an unmanaged][added: a device that isn't managed through domain policy or] device [added: management, ]the behavior is [added: the ]same as policy [removed: 'enabled'.][added: 'FullMode'.]

   • A choice in “Control updater's communication with Experimentation and Configuration Service” is renamed [was: Enable communication and download experiments (1)] → [now: Retrieve configurations and experiments (1)]
     Registry key: Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate · Value name: UpdaterExperimentationAndConfigurationServiceControl
   • “Control updater's communication with Experimentation and Configuration Service” gains the choice [added: Retrieve configurations only (2)]
     Registry key: Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate · Value name: UpdaterExperimentationAndConfigurationServiceControl
   • Default for “Control updater's communication with Experimentation and Configuration Service” [was: Enable communication and download experiments (1)] → [now: Retrieve configurations and experiments (1)]
     Registry key: Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate · Value name: UpdaterExperimentationAndConfigurationServiceControl
6. 150.0.4078.8016 Jul 2026
   • Already present in the first release ChangeIntel keeps.

41 later releases left it unchanged.

Template

Internal name

Pol_ECSControl

Namespace

Microsoft.Policies.Update

Template file

msedgeupdate.admx

Release

Microsoft Edge 157.0.4341.42 · file set 0c38d160a969619e…

<policy class="Machine" displayName="$(string.Pol_ECSControl)" explainText="$(string.Explain_ECSControl)" key="Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate" name="Pol_ECSControl" presentation="$(presentation.Pol_ECSControl)" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
      <parentCategory ref="Microsoft.Policies.Update:Cat_EdgeUpdate" />
      <supportedOn ref="Microsoft.Policies.Update:Sup_EdgeUpdate1_3_145_1" />
      <elements>
        <enum id="Part_ECSControl" key="Software\Policies\Microsoft\EdgeUpdate" required="true" valueName="UpdaterExperimentationAndConfigurationServiceControl">
          <item displayName="$(string.Name_ECSCommunicationDisabled)">
            <value>
              <decimal value="0" />
            </value>
          </item>
          <item displayName="$(string.Name_ECSCommunicationEnabled)">
            <value>
              <decimal value="1" />
            </value>
          </item>
          <item displayName="$(string.Name_ECSConfigurationsOnly)">
            <value>
              <decimal value="2" />
            </value>
          </item>
        </enum>
      </elements>
    </policy>

<presentation id="Pol_ECSControl" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
        <dropdownList defaultItem="1" refId="Part_ECSControl">Control updater's communication with Experimentation and Configuration Service</dropdownList>
      </presentation>

Microsoft.Policies.Update:category:Cat_EdgeUpdate
<category displayName="$(string.Cat_GoogleUpdate)" explainText="$(string.Explain_GoogleUpdate)" name="Cat_EdgeUpdate" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
    </category>
Microsoft.Policies.Update:definition:Sup_EdgeUpdate1_3_145_1
<definition displayName="$(string.Sup_EdgeUpdate1_3_145_1)" name="Sup_EdgeUpdate1_3_145_1" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions" />
Microsoft.Policies.Update:category:Cat_EdgeUpdate
<category displayName="$(string.Cat_GoogleUpdate)" explainText="$(string.Explain_GoogleUpdate)" name="Cat_EdgeUpdate" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions">
    </category>
<strings><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Update:Cat_GoogleUpdate">Microsoft Edge Update</string><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Update:Explain_GoogleUpdate">Policies to control the installation and updating of Microsoft Edge using Microsoft Edge Update.</string></strings>
Microsoft.Policies.Update:definition:Sup_EdgeUpdate1_3_145_1
<definition displayName="$(string.Sup_EdgeUpdate1_3_145_1)" name="Sup_EdgeUpdate1_3_145_1" xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/GroupPolicy/2006/07/PolicyDefinitions" />
<strings><string id="Microsoft.Policies.Update:Sup_EdgeUpdate1_3_145_1">Microsoft Edge Update 1.3.145.1 and later</string></strings>