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User-installed gadgets must be turned off.


Overview

Finding ID Version Rule ID IA Controls Severity
V-15726 5.252 SV-16665r3_rule 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 user-installed gadgets from running.
STIG Date
Windows Vista Security Technical Implementation Guide 2016-06-03

Details

Check Text ( C-57979r2_chk )
If Windows Sidebar has been disabled, this is NA.
Verify the following registry value to determine if Windows Sidebar has been disabled:

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Windows\Sidebar\

Value Name: TurnOffSidebar

Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1

If Windows Sidebar has not been disabled and the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding:

Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Windows\Sidebar\

Value Name: TurnOffUserInstalledGadgets

Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1
Fix Text (F-62303r1_fix)
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration -> Administrative Templates -> Windows Components -> Windows Sidebar -> "Turn Off User Installed Windows Sidebar Gadgets" to "Enabled".

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