Prevent automatically adding shared folders to the Windows Search index

This policy setting configures how Windows Search adds shared folders to the search index. If you enable this policy setting, Windows Search is prevented from automatically adding shared folders to the index. Windows Search does not automatically add shares created on the computer to the scope of the index. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, Windows Search monitors which folders are shared or not shared on this computer, and automatically adds them to or removes them from the index.

This policy has no additional user input fields.

• Computer
  Add primary intranet search location

  Microsoft Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003 with Windows Search version 3.01 or later
• Computer
  Add secondary intranet search locations

  Microsoft Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003 with Windows Search version 3.01 or later
• Computer
  Allow Cloud Search

  At least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10
• Computer
  Allow Cortana

  At least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10
• Computer
  Allow Cortana above lock screen

  At least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10
• Computer
  Allow Cortana Page in OOBE on an AAD account

  At least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10
• Computer
  Allow indexing of encrypted files

  Microsoft Windows Vista, or any version of Windows with Windows Search 4.0 or later
• Computer
  Allow search and Cortana to use location

  At least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10
• Computer
  Allow search highlights

  At least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10
• Computer
  Allow use of diacritics

  Microsoft Windows Vista, or any version of Windows with Windows Search 3.01 or later
• Computer
  Always use automatic language detection when indexing content and properties

  Microsoft Windows 8 or later
• Computer
  Configures search on the taskbar

  At least Windows 11