UCF STIG Viewer Logo
Changes are coming to https://stigviewer.com. Take our survey to help us understand your usage and how we can better serve you in the future.
Take Survey

The Windows Explorer Preview pane must be disabled for Windows Server 2016.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-236000 WN16-CC-000421 SV-236000r641817_rule Medium
Description
A known vulnerability in Windows could allow the execution of malicious code by either opening a compromised document or viewing it in the Windows Preview pane. Organizations must disable the Windows Preview pane and Windows Detail pane.
STIG Date
Microsoft Windows Server 2016 Security Technical Implementation Guide 2023-08-22

Details

Check Text ( C-39219r641815_chk )
If the following registry values do not exist or are not configured as specified, this is a finding:

Registry Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Value Name: NoPreviewPane

Value Type: REG_DWORD

Value: 1

Registry Hive: HKEY_CURRENT_USER
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer

Value Name: NoReadingPane

Value Type: REG_DWORD

Value: 1
Fix Text (F-39182r641816_fix)
Ensure the following settings are configured for Windows Server 2016 locally or applied through group policy.

Configure the policy value for User Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> File Explorer >> Explorer Frame Pane "Turn off Preview Pane" to "Enabled".

Configure the policy value for User Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> File Explorer >> Explorer Frame Pane "Turn on or off details pane" to "Enabled" and "Configure details pane" to "Always hide".