Policy
Prevent indexing of certain file types
Windows 11 25H2
Policy overview
Key metadata and intent for this policy.
Supported OS tags: WindowsServer2003, WindowsXP
Enabling this policy allows you to edit the list of file types to exclude from indexing. The end user cannot modify this list. You should separate each extension type with a semicolon. Note that limitations of Group Policy Object Editor require this list to be split across multiple values. Desktop Search combines all these into a single exclusion list. When this policy is disabled or not configured, the user can edit the default list of excluded file types. If you enable and then disable this policy, the user's original list is restored. If you want to specify an initial default list of excluded file types that users can change later, see the administration guide for information about how to set up the initial machine preference.
Registry values
How enabled and disabled states update the registry.
No explicit registry values are set for enabled or disabled states.
Policy elements
Inputs and configuration options exposed by this policy.
| Element | Type | Registry mapping | Constraints & behavior |
|---|---|---|---|
Exclude ID ExcludedExtensionsMultiline_0 | text | HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search\ExcludedExtensionsMultiline0 Type REG_SZ | None |
and ID ExcludedExtensionsMultiline_1 | text | HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search\ExcludedExtensionsMultiline1 Type REG_SZ | None |
and ID ExcludedExtensionsMultiline_2 | text | HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search\ExcludedExtensionsMultiline2 Type REG_SZ | None |
and ID ExcludedExtensionsMultiline_3 | text | HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Windows Search\ExcludedExtensionsMultiline3 Type REG_SZ | None |
Other policies in this category
Explore related policies at the same level.
- ComputerAdd primary intranet search locationMicrosoft Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003 with Windows Search version 3.01 or later
- ComputerAdd secondary intranet search locationsMicrosoft Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003 with Windows Search version 3.01 or later
- ComputerAllow Cloud SearchAt least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10
- ComputerAllow CortanaAt least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10
- ComputerAllow Cortana above lock screenAt least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10
- ComputerAllow Cortana Page in OOBE on an AAD accountAt least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10
- ComputerAllow indexing of encrypted filesMicrosoft Windows Vista, or any version of Windows with Windows Search 4.0 or later
- ComputerAllow search and Cortana to use locationAt least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10
- ComputerAllow search highlightsAt least Windows Server 2016, Windows 10
- ComputerAllow use of diacriticsMicrosoft Windows Vista, or any version of Windows with Windows Search 3.01 or later
- ComputerAlways use automatic language detection when indexing content and propertiesMicrosoft Windows 8 or later
- ComputerConfigures search on the taskbarAt least Windows 11