Indexing of encrypted files must be turned off.
Overview
| Finding ID | Version | Rule ID | IA Controls | Severity |
| V-253409 | WN11-CC-000305 | SV-253409r958478_rule | CCI-000381 | medium |
| Description | ||||
| Indexing of encrypted files may expose sensitive data. This setting prevents encrypted files from being indexed. | ||||
| STIG | Date | |||
| Microsoft Windows 11 Security Technical Implementation Guide | 2025-05-15 | |||
Details
Check Text (C-253409r958478_chk)
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\
Value Name: AllowIndexingEncryptedStoresOrItems
Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0
Fix Text (F-56812r829310_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Search >> "Allow indexing of encrypted files" to "Disabled".