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V-253409

CAT II (Medium)

Indexing of encrypted files must be turned off.

Rule ID

SV-253409r1210297_rule

STIG

Microsoft Windows 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide

Version

V2R8

CCIs

CCI-000381

Discussion

Indexing of encrypted files may expose sensitive data. This setting prevents encrypted files from being indexed. Note: A different registry location is needed when systems are managed by Intune versus GPO.

Check Content

If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding:

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search\  (For GPO-managed systems)
Or
Registry Path: \Software\Microsoft\Policymanager\current\device\search  (For Intune-managed systems)
 
Value Name: AllowIndexingEncryptedStoresOrItems

Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0

Fix Text

For GPO-managed systems:

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Search >> "Allow indexing of encrypted files" to "Disabled".

For Intune-managed systems:

Revise the Intune policy to disable indexing of encrypted files.