Msftncsi

Msftncis or, more specifically, the msftncis.com domain, is used as a part of the Microsoft Network Connectivity Status Indicator (NCSI). NCSI is a protocol used in Microsoft's Windows operating systems to determine internet connectivity status. It works by periodically pinging a Microsoft server to check for internet connectivity. If a response is received, the NCSI icon in the system tray displays a 'connected' status. If no response is received, the icon displays a 'limited connectivity' or 'no internet access' status. NCSI can be useful in detecting network issues and providing feedback to the user about their internet connectivity status.

Indeed, this is a legitimate component of the Windows operating system, but many users may not be aware of its presence or actions. Instead, they see that there are issues with their Internet connection and that their Web browsers are trying to connect to an unfamiliar website at '.msftncsi.com.' At first glance, such behavior could seem like being caused by a dangerous malware threat as no consent or input is required from the users themselves.

The Use of Proxy Servers could Cause NCSI Issues wIth MS Office

In Microsoft Windows, a connectivity test is conducted, known as the Network Connectivity Status Indicator (NCSI) or Microsoft Connect Test. This test attempts to connect to a Microsoft domain to verify Internet connectivity. If the test fails, Windows generates a flag that displays the message 'Connected: No Internet,' even though the internet connection may very well be functional.

This issue has been present for multiple years with minimal problems before users started encountering issues when using Office 365. For example, users reported problems with Outlook, such as being unable to connect to their mailbox or licensing server. The issues were resolved when they switched to a network that is shown as 'Connected' on the system. The problem mainly occurs on the LAN and seems to be less frequent on guest or work wireless networks. As Outlook and other Office applications rely on the operating system's connectivity check, the root cause of the problem was attributed to the Microsoft Connect Test process.

Users may Try to Disable NCIS to Resolve the Issue

If users want to disable the Network Connectivity Status Indicator (NCSI), they can use the registry or Group Policy Objects (GPOs) on their systems. However, Microsoft does not recommend disabling the NCSI probes, as many operating system components and applications rely on NCSI. Disabling the probes may result in other unexpected issues, such as Windows being unable to download updates, even if the computer is connected to the internet. Therefore, it's crucial to consider the potential consequences before deciding to disable the NCSI probes.