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Microsoft.Policies.NetworkProvider• Machine

Hardened UNC Paths

This policy setting configures secure access to UNC paths. If you enable this policy, Windows only allows access to the specified UNC paths after fulfilling additional security requirements.

Policy Details

Policy Name
Pol_HardenedPaths
Registry Key
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\NetworkProvider\HardenedPaths
Supported On
At least Windows Vista
OMA-URI (CSP)
Connectivity/HardenedUNCPaths
OS Build Version:10.0.15063
CSP Version:5.0
Conflict Resolution:LastWrite
Allowed Editions:
EnterpriseEnterprise NProfessionalProfessional NEnterprise EvaluationEnterprise N EvaluationEducationEducation NEnterprise SEnterprise S NEnterprise S EvaluationEnterprise S N EvaluationPro Single LanguagePro ChinaPro WorkstationPro Workstation NPro For EducationPro For Education NEnterprisegEnterprisegnServerrdshIotenterpriseIotenterprisesCloudeditionnCloudeditionIotenterpriseskIotenterprisesevalWnc
Available Languages
en-us

Configuration Elements

Specify hardened network paths. In the name field, type a fully-qualified UNC path for each network resource. To secure all access to a share with a particular name, regardless of the server name, specify a server name of '*' (asterisk). For example, "\\*\NETLOGON". To secure all access to all shares hosted on a server, the share name portion of the UNC path may be omitted. For example, "\\SERVER". In the value field, specify one or more of the following options, separated by commas: 'RequireMutualAuthentication=1': Mutual authentication between the client and server is required to ensure the client connects to the correct server. 'RequireIntegrity=1': Communication between the client and server must employ an integrity mechanism to prevent data tampering. 'RequirePrivacy=1': Communication between the client and the server must be encrypted to prevent third parties from observing sensitive data.

You should require both Integrity and Mutual Authentication for any UNC paths that host executable programs, script files, or files that control security policies. Consider hosting files that do not require Integrity or Privacy on separate shares from those that absolutely need such security for optimal performance. For additional details on configuring Windows computers to require additional security when accessing specific UNC paths, visit http://support.microsoft.com/kb/3000483.

Hardened UNC Paths:

Type: list

Explicit values: true
Additive: true