Turn off Windows Libraries features that rely on indexed file data

Supported OS tags: Windows10, Windows10RT, Windows11, Windows7, Windows8, Windows81, WindowsRT, WindowsRT81, WindowsServer2008, WindowsServer2012, WindowsServer2012R2, WindowsServer2016

This policy setting allows you to turn off Windows Libraries features that need indexed file metadata to function properly. If you enable this policy, some Windows Libraries features will be turned off to better handle included folders that have been redirected to non-indexed network locations. Setting this policy will: * Disable all Arrangement views except for "By Folder" * Disable all Search filter suggestions other than "Date Modified" and "Size" * Disable view of file content snippets in Content mode when search results are returned * Disable ability to stack in the Context menu and Column headers * Exclude Libraries from the scope of Start search This policy will not enable users to add unsupported locations to Libraries. If you enable this policy, Windows Libraries features that rely on indexed file data will be disabled. If you disable or do not configure this policy, all default Windows Libraries features will be enabled.

This policy has no additional user input fields.

• User
  Allow only per user or approved shell extensions

  At least Windows 2000
• Computer
  Allow the use of remote paths in file shortcut icons

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• Computer
  Configure Windows Defender SmartScreen

  At least Windows Server 2012, Windows 8 or Windows RT
• ComputerUser
  Disable binding directly to IPropertySetStorage without intermediate layers.

  At least Windows Vista
• User
  Disable Known Folders

  At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
• User
  Display confirmation dialog when deleting files

  At least Windows Server 2003 operating systems or Windows XP Professional
• User
  Display the menu bar in File Explorer

  At least Windows Vista