The More Gadgets link must be disabled.

Overview

Finding ID	Version	Rule ID	IA Controls	Severity
V-15725	5.251	SV-25268r2_rule	ECSC-1	Medium

Description
Uncontrolled installation of applications can introduce various issues, including system instability, and allow access to sensitive information. Installation of applications must be controlled by the enterprise. This setting prevents access to gadgets through the More Gadgets link.

STIG	Date
Windows 7 Security Technical Implementation Guide	2014-12-13

Details

Check Text ( None )
None

Fix Text (F-62295r1_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Desktop Gadgets -> "Override the More Gadgets Link" to "Enabled" with "about:blank" entered in the "Override Gadget Location". To turn off Desktop Gadgets completely, configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Desktop Gadgets -> "Turn off desktop gadgets" to "Enabled".

Fix Text (F-62295r1_fix)

Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Desktop Gadgets -> "Override the More Gadgets Link" to "Enabled" with "about:blank" entered in the "Override Gadget Location".

To turn off Desktop Gadgets completely, configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Desktop Gadgets -> "Turn off desktop gadgets" to "Enabled".