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Manage connection endpoints for Windows 10 Enterprise, version 1809

  • Article

Applies to

  • Windows 10 Enterprise, version 1809

Some Windows components, app, and related services transfer data to Microsoft network endpoints. Some examples include:

  • Connecting to Microsoft Office and Windows sites to download the latest app and security updates.
  • Connecting to email servers to send and receive email.
  • Connecting to the web for every day web browsing.
  • Connecting to the cloud to store and access backups.
  • Using your location to show a weather forecast.

This article lists different endpoints that are available on a clean installation of Windows 10, version 1709 and later. Details about the different ways to control traffic to these endpoints are covered in Manage connections from Windows operating system components to Microsoft services. Where applicable, each endpoint covered in this topic includes a link to specific details about how to control traffic to it.

We used the following methodology to derive these network endpoints:

  1. Set up the latest version of Windows 10 on a test virtual machine using the default settings.
  2. Leave the devices running idle for a week (that is, a user isn't interacting with the system/device).
  3. Use globally accepted network protocol analyzer/capturing tools and log all background egress traffic.
  4. Compile reports on traffic going to public IP addresses.
  5. The test virtual machine was logged in using a local account and wasn't joined to a domain or Azure Active Directory.
  6. All traffic was captured in our lab using an IPV4 network. Therefore no IPV6 traffic is reported here.

Note

Microsoft uses global load balancers that can appear in network trace-routes. For example, an endpoint for *.akadns.net might be used to load balance requests to an Azure datacenter, which can change over time.

Windows 10 Enterprise connection endpoints

Apps

The following endpoint is used to download updates to the Weather app Live Tile. If you turn off traffic to this endpoint, no Live Tiles will be updated.

Source process Protocol Destination
explorer HTTP tile-service.weather.microsoft.com
HTTP blob.weather.microsoft.com

The following endpoint is used for OneNote Live Tile. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall OneNote or disable the Microsoft Store. If you disable the Microsoft store, other Store apps can't be installed or updated. Additionally, the Microsoft Store won't be able to revoke malicious Store apps and users will still be able to open them.

Source process Protocol Destination
HTTPS cdn.onenote.net/livetile/?Language=en-US

The following endpoints are used for Twitter updates. To turn off traffic for these endpoints, either uninstall Twitter or disable the Microsoft Store. If you disable the Microsoft store, other Store apps can't be installed or updated. Additionally, the Microsoft Store won't be able to revoke malicious Store apps and users will still be able to open them.

Source process Protocol Destination
HTTPS wildcard.twimg.com
svchost.exe oem.twimg.com/windows/tile.xml

The following endpoint is used for Facebook updates. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall Facebook or disable the Microsoft Store. If you disable the Microsoft store, other Store apps can't be installed or updated. Additionally, the Microsoft Store won't be able to revoke malicious Store apps and users will still be able to open them.

Source process Protocol Destination
star-mini.c10r.facebook.com

The following endpoint is used by the Photos app to download configuration files, and to connect to the Microsoft 365 admin center's shared infrastructure, including Office. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall the Photos app or disable the Microsoft Store. If you disable the Microsoft store, other Store apps can't be installed or updated. Additionally, the Microsoft Store won't be able to revoke malicious Store apps and users will still be able to open them.

Source process Protocol Destination
WindowsApps\Microsoft.Windows.Photos HTTPS evoke-windowsservices-tas.msedge.net

The following endpoint is used for Candy Crush Saga updates. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall Candy Crush Saga or disable the Microsoft Store. If you disable the Microsoft store, other Store apps can't be installed or updated. Additionally, the Microsoft Store won't be able to revoke malicious Store apps and users will still be able to open them.

Source process Protocol Destination
TLS v1.2 candycrushsoda.king.com

The following endpoint is used for by the Microsoft Wallet app. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall the Wallet app or disable the Microsoft Store. If you disable the Microsoft store, other Store apps can't be installed or updated. Additionally, the Microsoft Store won't be able to revoke malicious Store apps and users will still be able to open them.

Source process Protocol Destination
system32\AppHostRegistrationVerifier.exe HTTPS wallet.microsoft.com

The following endpoint is used by the Groove Music app for update HTTP handler status. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, apps for websites won't work and customers who visit websites (such as mediaredirect.microsoft.com) that are registered with their associated app (such as Groove Music) will stay at the website and won't be able to directly launch the app.

Source process Protocol Destination
system32\AppHostRegistrationVerifier.exe HTTPS mediaredirect.microsoft.com

The following endpoints are used when using the Whiteboard app. To turn off traffic for this endpoint disable the Microsoft Store.

Source process Protocol Destination
HTTPS wbd.ms
HTTPS int.whiteboard.microsoft.com
HTTPS whiteboard.microsoft.com
HTTP / HTTPS whiteboard.ms

The following endpoint is used to get images that are used for Microsoft Store suggestions. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, you'll block images that are used for Microsoft Store suggestions.

Source process Protocol Destination
searchui HTTPS store-images.s-microsoft.com

The following endpoint is used to update Cortana greetings, tips, and Live Tiles. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, you'll block updates to Cortana greetings, tips, and Live Tiles.

Source process Protocol Destination
backgroundtaskhost HTTPS www.bing.com/client

The following endpoint is used to configure parameters, such as how often the Live Tile is updated. It's also used to activate experiments. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, parameters wouldn't be updated and the device would no longer participate in experiments.

Source process Protocol Destination
backgroundtaskhost HTTPS www.bing.com/proactive

The following endpoint is used by Cortana to report diagnostic and diagnostic data information. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, Microsoft won't be aware of issues with Cortana and won't be able to fix them.

Source process Protocol Destination
searchui
backgroundtaskhost		 HTTPS www.bing.com/threshold/xls.aspx

Certificates

Certificates are digital files, stored on client devices, used to both encrypt data and verify the identity of an individual or organization. Trusted root certificates issued by a certification authority (CA) are stored in a certificate trust list (CTL). The Automatic Root Certificates Update mechanism contacts Windows Updates to update the CTL. If a new version of the CTL is identified, the list of trusted root certificates cached on the local device will be updated. Untrusted certificates are certificates where the server certificate issuer is unknown or is not trusted by the service. Untrusted certificates are also stored in a list on the local device and updated by the Automatic Root Certificates Update mechanism.

If automatic updates are turned off, applications and websites may stop working because they did not receive an updated root certificate that the application uses. Additionally, the list of untrusted certificates will no longer be updated, which increases the attack vector on the device.

The following endpoint is used by the Automatic Root Certificates Update component to automatically check the list of trusted authorities on Windows Update to see if an update is available. It's possible to turn off traffic to this endpoint, but that isn't recommended because when root certificates are updated over time, applications and websites may stop working because they didn't receive an updated root certificate the application uses.

Additionally, it's used to download certificates that are publicly known to be fraudulent. These settings are critical for both Windows security and the overall security of the Internet. We don't recommend blocking this endpoint. If traffic to this endpoint is turned off, Windows no longer automatically downloads certificates known to be fraudulent, which increases the attack vector on the device.

Source process Protocol Destination
svchost HTTP ctldl.windowsupdate.com

Device authentication

The following endpoint is used to authenticate a device. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, the device won't be authenticated.

Source process Protocol Destination
HTTPS login.live.com/ppsecure

Device metadata

The following endpoint is used to retrieve device metadata. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, metadata won't be updated for the device.

Source process Protocol Destination
dmd.metaservices.microsoft.com.akadns.net
HTTP dmd.metaservices.microsoft.com

Diagnostic Data

The following endpoint is used by the Connected User Experiences and Telemetry component and connects to the Microsoft Data Management service. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, diagnostic and usage information, which helps Microsoft find and fix problems and improve our products and services, won't be sent back to Microsoft.

Source process Protocol Destination
svchost cy2.vortex.data.microsoft.com.akadns.net

The following endpoint is used by the Connected User Experiences and Telemetry component and connects to the Microsoft Data Management service. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, diagnostic and usage information, which helps Microsoft find and fix problems and improve our products and services, won't be sent back to Microsoft.

Source process Protocol Destination
svchost HTTPS v10.vortex-win.data.microsoft.com/collect/v1

The following endpoints are used by Windows Error Reporting. To turn off traffic for these endpoints, enable the following Group Policy: Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Error Reporting > Disable Windows Error Reporting. This means error reporting information won't be sent back to Microsoft.

Source process Protocol Destination
wermgr watson.telemetry.microsoft.com
TLS v1.2 modern.watson.data.microsoft.com.akadns.net

Font streaming

The following endpoints are used to download fonts on demand. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, you will not be able to download fonts on demand.

Source process Protocol Destination
svchost fs.microsoft.com
fs.microsoft.com/fs/windows/config.json

Licensing

The following endpoint is used for online activation and some app licensing. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, disable the Windows License Manager Service. This will also block online activation and app licensing may not work.

Source process Protocol Destination
licensemanager HTTPS licensing.mp.microsoft.com/v7.0/licenses/content

Location

The following endpoint is used for location data. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, apps can't use location data.

Source process Protocol Destination
HTTP location-inference-westus.cloudapp.net
HTTPS inference.location.live.net

Maps

The following endpoint is used to check for updates to maps that have been downloaded for offline use. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, offline maps won't be updated.

Source process Protocol Destination
svchost HTTPS *g.akamaiedge.net

Microsoft account

The following endpoints are used for Microsoft accounts to sign in. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, users can't sign in with Microsoft accounts.

Source process Protocol Destination
login.msa.akadns6.net
login.live.com
account.live.com
system32\Auth.Host.exe HTTPS auth.gfx.ms
us.configsvc1.live.com.akadns.net

Microsoft Store

The following endpoint is used for the Windows Push Notification Services (WNS). WNS enables third-party developers to send toast, tile, badge, and raw updates from their own cloud service. This provides a mechanism to deliver new updates to your users in a power-efficient and dependable way. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, push notifications will no longer work, including MDM device management, mail synchronization, settings synchronization.

Source process Protocol Destination
HTTPS *.wns.windows.com

The following endpoint is used to revoke licenses for malicious apps in the Microsoft Store. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall the app or disable the Microsoft Store. If you disable the Microsoft store, other Microsoft Store apps can't be installed or updated. Additionally, the Microsoft Store won't be able to revoke malicious apps and users will still be able to open them.

Source process Protocol Destination
HTTP storecatalogrevocation.storequality.microsoft.com

The following endpoints are used to download image files that are called when applications run (Microsoft Store or Inbox MSN Apps). If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, the image files won't be downloaded, and apps can't be installed or updated from the Microsoft Store. Additionally, the Microsoft Store won't be able to revoke malicious apps and users will still be able to open them.

Source process Protocol Destination
HTTPS img-prod-cms-rt-microsoft-com.akamaized.net
backgroundtransferhost HTTPS store-images.microsoft.com

The following endpoints are used to communicate with Microsoft Store. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, apps can't be installed or updated from the Microsoft Store. Additionally, the Microsoft Store won't be able to revoke malicious apps and users will still be able to open them.

Source process Protocol Destination
HTTP storeedgefd.dsx.mp.microsoft.com
TLS v1.2 cy2.*.md.mp.microsoft.com.*.
svchost HTTPS displaycatalog.mp.microsoft.com

Network Connection Status Indicator (NCSI)

Network Connection Status Indicator (NCSI) detects Internet connectivity and corporate network connectivity status. NCSI sends a DNS request and HTTP query to this endpoint to determine if the device can communicate with the Internet. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, NCSI won't be able to determine if the device is connected to the Internet, and the icon denoting the network status tray will show a warning.

Source process Protocol Destination
HTTP www.msftconnecttest.com/connecttest.txt

Office

The following endpoints are used to connect to the Microsoft 365 admin center's shared infrastructure, including Office. For more info, see Office 365 URLs and IP address ranges. You can turn this off by removing all Microsoft Office apps and the Mail and Calendar apps. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, users won't be able to save documents to the cloud or see their recently used documents.

Source process Protocol Destination
*.a-msedge.net
hxstr *.c-msedge.net
*.e-msedge.net
*.s-msedge.net
HTTPS ocos-office365-s2s.msedge.net
HTTPS nexusrules.officeapps.live.com
HTTPS officeclient.microsoft.com

The following endpoint is used to connect to the Microsoft 365 admin center's shared infrastructure, including Office. For more info, see Office 365 URLs and IP address ranges. You can turn this off by removing all Microsoft Office apps and the Mail and Calendar apps. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, users won't be able to save documents to the cloud or see their recently used documents.

Source process Protocol Destination
system32\Auth.Host.exe HTTPS outlook.office365.com

The following endpoint is OfficeHub traffic used to get the metadata of Office apps. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall the app or disable the Microsoft Store. If you disable the Microsoft store, other Microsoft Store apps can't be installed or updated. Additionally, the Microsoft Store won't be able to revoke malicious apps and users will still be able to open them.

Source process Protocol Destination
Windows Apps\Microsoft.Windows.Photos HTTPS client-office365-tas.msedge.net

The following endpoint is used to connect the Office To-Do app to its cloud service. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall the app or disable the Microsoft Store.

Source process Protocol Destination
HTTPS to-do.microsoft.com

OneDrive

The following endpoint is a redirection service that’s used to automatically update URLs. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, anything that relies on g.live.com to get updated URL information will no longer work.

Source process Protocol Destination
onedrive HTTP \ HTTPS g.live.com/1rewlive5skydrive/ODSUProduction

The following endpoint is used by OneDrive for Business to download and verify app updates. For more info, see Office 365 URLs and IP address ranges. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, uninstall OneDrive for Business. In this case, your device won't be able to get OneDrive for Business app updates.

Source process Protocol Destination
onedrive HTTPS oneclient.sfx.ms

Settings

The following endpoint is used as a way for apps to dynamically update their configuration. Apps such as System Initiated User Feedback and the Xbox app use it. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, an app that uses this endpoint may stop working.

Source process Protocol Destination
dmclient cy2.settings.data.microsoft.com.akadns.net

The following endpoint is used as a way for apps to dynamically update their configuration. Apps such as System Initiated User Feedback and the Xbox app use it. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, an app that uses this endpoint may stop working.

Source process Protocol Destination
dmclient HTTPS settings.data.microsoft.com

The following endpoint is used as a way for apps to dynamically update their configuration. Apps such as Windows Connected User Experiences and Telemetry component and Windows Insider Program use it. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, an app that uses this endpoint may stop working.

Source process Protocol Destination
svchost HTTPS settings-win.data.microsoft.com

Skype

The following endpoint is used to retrieve Skype configuration values. To turn off traffic for this endpoint, either uninstall the app or disable the Microsoft Store. If you disable the Microsoft store, other Microsoft Store apps can't be installed or updated. Additionally, the Microsoft Store won't be able to revoke malicious apps and users will still be able to open them.

Source process Protocol Destination
microsoft.windowscommunicationsapps.exe HTTPS config.edge.skype.com
HTTPS browser.pipe.aria.microsoft.com
skypeecs-prod-usw-0-b.cloudapp.net

Windows Defender

The following endpoint is used for Windows Defender when Cloud-based Protection is enabled. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, the device won't use Cloud-based Protection. For a detailed list of Microsoft Defender Antivirus cloud service connections, see Allow connections to the Microsoft Defender Antivirus cloud service.

Source process Protocol Destination
wdcp.microsoft.com

The following endpoints are used for Windows Defender definition updates. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, definitions won't be updated.

Source process Protocol Destination
definitionupdates.microsoft.com
MpCmdRun.exe HTTPS go.microsoft.com

The following endpoints are used for Windows Defender Smartscreen reporting and notifications. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, Windows Defender Smartscreen notifications will no appear.

Source process Protocol Destination
HTTPS ars.smartscreen.microsoft.com
HTTPS unitedstates.smartscreen-prod.microsoft.com
smartscreen-sn3p.smartscreen.microsoft.com

Windows Spotlight

The following endpoints are used to retrieve Windows Spotlight metadata that describes content, such as references to image locations, and suggested apps, Microsoft account notifications, and Windows tips. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, Windows Spotlight will still try to deliver new lock screen images and updated content but it will fail; suggested apps, Microsoft account notifications, and Windows tips won't be downloaded. For more information, see Windows Spotlight.

Source process Protocol Destination
backgroundtaskhost HTTPS arc.msn.com
backgroundtaskhost g.msn.com.nsatc.net
TLS v1.2 *.search.msn.com
HTTPS ris.api.iris.microsoft.com
HTTPS query.prod.cms.rt.microsoft.com

Windows Update

The following endpoint is used for Windows Update downloads of apps and OS updates, including HTTP downloads or HTTP downloads blended with peers. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, Windows Update downloads won't be managed, as critical metadata that is used to make downloads more resilient is blocked. Downloads may be impacted by corruption (resulting in redownloads of full files). Additionally, downloads of the same update by multiple devices on the same local network won't use peer devices for bandwidth reduction.

Source process Protocol Destination
svchost HTTPS *.prod.do.dsp.mp.microsoft.com

The following endpoints are used to download operating system patches, updates, and apps from Microsoft Store. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, the device wón't be able to download updates for the operating system.

Source process Protocol Destination
svchost HTTP *.windowsupdate.com
svchost HTTP *.dl.delivery.mp.microsoft.com

The following endpoints enable connections to Windows Update, Microsoft Update, and the online services of the Store. If you turn off traffic for these endpoints, the device won't be able to connect to Windows Update and Microsoft Update to help keep the device secure. Also, the device will not be able to acquire and update apps from the Store.

Source process Protocol Destination
svchost HTTPS *.update.microsoft.com
svchost HTTPS *.delivery.mp.microsoft.com

These are dependent on enabling:

The following endpoint is used for content regulation. If you turn off traffic for this endpoint, the Windows Update Agent will be unable to contact the endpoint and fallback behavior will be used. This may result in content being either incorrectly downloaded or not downloaded at all.

Source process Protocol Destination
svchost HTTPS tsfe.trafficshaping.dsp.mp.microsoft.com

The following endpoint is used by the Microsoft forward link redirection service (FWLink) to redirect permanent web links to their actual, sometimes transitory, URL. FWlinks are similar to URL shorteners, just longer.

If you disable this endpoint, Windows Defender won't be able to update its malware definitions; links from Windows and other Microsoft products to the Web won't work; and PowerShell updateable Help won't update. To disable the traffic, instead disable the traffic that's getting forwarded.

Source process Protocol Destination
Various HTTPS go.microsoft.com

Other Windows 10 editions

To view endpoints for other versions of Windows 10 Enterprise, see:

To view endpoints for non-Enterprise Windows 10 editions, see: