Restrict search providers to a specific list
Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 30, 2026
Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 7.0
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer Description
This policy setting allows you to restrict the search providers that appear in the Search box in Internet Explorer to those defined in the list of policy keys for search providers (found under [HKCU or HKLM\Software\policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchScopes]). Normally, search providers can be added from third-party toolbars or in Setup, but the user can also add them from a search provider's website. If you enable this policy setting, the user cannot configure the list of search providers on his or her computer, and any default providers installed do not appear (including providers installed from other applications). The only providers that appear are those in the list of policy keys for search providers. Note: This list can be created through a custom administrative template file. For information about creating this custom administrative template file, see the Internet Explorer documentation on search providers. If you disable or do not configure this policy setting, the user can configure his or her list of search providers.
Registry
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Infodelivery\Restrictions Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Infodelivery\Restrictions Value name: UsePolicySearchProvidersOnly
Enabled: UsePolicySearchProvidersOnly = 1
Disabled: UsePolicySearchProvidersOnly = 0
MDM / Intune (CSP)
./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/InternetExplorer/SearchProviderList ./User/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/InternetExplorer/SearchProviderList Microsoft Learn documentation Mapping data: Microsoft Learn (CC BY 4.0)
Export Builder
BETAConfigure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.
These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO. ⓘ
Applying both scopes creates an ambiguous configuration (computer takes precedence over user). Only do this intentionally.
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Restrict search providers to a specific list
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 7.0
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Infodelivery\Restrictions]
"UsePolicySearchProvidersOnly"=dword:00000001More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Restrict search providers to a specific list
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 7.0
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Infodelivery\Restrictions'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'UsePolicySearchProvidersOnly' -Value 1 -Type DWordIntune XML
OMA-URI: ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/InternetExplorer/SearchProviderList
Data type: String
Value:
<enabled/>Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Restrict search providers to a specific list
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 7.0
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Infodelivery\Restrictions' -Name 'UsePolicySearchProvidersOnly' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Restrict search providers to a specific list
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 7.0
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Infodelivery\Restrictions'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'UsePolicySearchProvidersOnly' -Value 1 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Restrict search providers to a specific list
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 7.0
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Restrict search providers to a specific list
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 7.0
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Infodelivery\Restrictions' -Name 'UsePolicySearchProvidersOnly' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Restrict search providers to a specific list
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Internet Explorer 7.0
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Infodelivery\Restrictions'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'UsePolicySearchProvidersOnly' -Value 1 -Type DWordBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.