Allow OpenSearch queries in File Explorer
Verified with Windows 11 25H2 — updated on July 30, 2026
Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Internet Control Panel\Security Page\Locked-Down Restricted Sites Zone User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Internet Explorer\Internet Control Panel\Security Page\Locked-Down Restricted Sites Zone Description
This policy setting allows you to manage whether OpenSearch queries in this zone can be performed using Search Connectors in File Explorer. Search Connectors allow rich searching of remote sources from within File Explorer. Search results will be returned in File Explorer and can be acted upon like local files. If you enable this policy setting, users can perform OpenSearch queries in this zone using Search Connectors. If you disable this policy setting, users are prevented from performing OpenSearch queries in this zone using Search Connectors. If you do not configure this policy setting, users cannot perform OpenSearch queries in this zone using Search Connectors.
Registry
HKLM
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Lockdown_Zones\4 HKCU
Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Lockdown_Zones\4 Value name: 180E
Enabled: 180E = 0
Disabled: 180E = 3
MDM / Intune (CSP)
Device
./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_WindowsExplorer/IZ_Policy_OpenSearchQuery_RestrictedLockdown User
./User/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_WindowsExplorer/IZ_Policy_OpenSearchQuery_RestrictedLockdown 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: Allow OpenSearch queries in File Explorer
; State: Enabled
; Scope: Computer (HKLM)
; Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Lockdown_Zones\4]
"180E"=dword:00000000More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow OpenSearch queries in File Explorer
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Lockdown_Zones\4'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name '180E' -Value 0 -Type DWordIntune XML
OMA-URI: ./Device/Vendor/MSFT/Policy/Config/ADMX_WindowsExplorer/IZ_Policy_OpenSearchQuery_RestrictedLockdown
Data type: String
Value:
<enabled/>Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow OpenSearch queries in File Explorer
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
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
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Lockdown_Zones\4' -Name '180E' -Expected 0 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow OpenSearch queries in File Explorer
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Lockdown_Zones\4'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name '180E' -Value 0 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow OpenSearch queries in File Explorer
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
# 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: Allow OpenSearch queries in File Explorer
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
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
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Lockdown_Zones\4' -Name '180E' -Expected 0 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Allow OpenSearch queries in File Explorer
# State: Enabled
# Scope: Computer (HKLM)
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2008 R2 or Windows 7
$path = 'HKLM:\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings\Lockdown_Zones\4'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name '180E' -Value 0 -Type DWordBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.