STIGQter: STIG Summary: Microsoft Windows 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide Version: 2 Release: 8 Benchmark Date: 01 Jul 2026:

Indexing of encrypted files must be turned off.

DISA Rule

SV-253409r1210297_rule

Vulnerability Number

V-253409

Group Title

SRG-OS-000095-GPOS-00049

Rule Version

WN11-CC-000305

Severity

CAT II

CCI(s)

• CCI-000381 - Configure the system to provide only organization-defined mission essential capabilities.

Weight

10

Fix Recommendation

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.

Check Contents

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

Vulnerability Number

V-253409

Documentable

False

Rule Version

WN11-CC-000305

Severity Override Guidance

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

Check Content Reference

M

Target Key

5471