Enabling this policy prevents users from adding UNC locations to the index from the Search and Indexing Options in Control Panel. Any UNC locations that have already been added to the index by the user will not be removed.

When this policy is disabled or not configured, users will be able to add UNC locations to the index.

This policy has no effect if the Files on Microsoft Networks add-in are not installed.

Prevent Adding UNC Locations to the Search Index

1. Type gpedit.msc in the Start menu’s search box and then press Enter.

   Note: This guide shows you how to make changes to Windows 7 using Group Policy. Group Policy is not available in Home versions of Windows 7.

2. Navigate to User Configuration, Administrative Templates, Windows Components, and then select Search in the left column of the Group Policy editor.

   ^[1]

3. Double-click Prevent adding UNC locations to index from Control Panel in the Settings section of the Group Policy editor.
4. Select Enable and then click OK to save the changes.

   ^[2]