Selectively allow the evaluation of a symbolic link

Policy ID: SymlinkEvaluation
Scope: Computer Configuration
Supported on: At least Windows Vista
Source: Administrative Templates (.admx) for Windows 11 2026 Update (26H2) (version 1.0)
Category: System › Filesystem

Description

Symbolic links can introduce vulnerabilities in certain applications. To mitigate this issue, you can selectively enable or disable the evaluation of these types of symbolic links:

Local Link to a Local Target
Local Link to a Remote Target
Remote Link to Remote Target
Remote Link to Local Target

For further information please refer to the Windows Help section

NOTE: If this policy is Disabled or Not Configured, local administrators may select the types of symbolic links to be evaluated.

Options

The empty box and the checked box tell the checkbox items of the Group Policy editor apart (a checked box is an item that is selected by default).

Local Link to Local Target
Local Link to a Remote Target
Remote Link to Remote Target
Remote Link to Local Target

Registry

ComputerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Filesystems\NTFS View registry values

SymLinkStateREG_DWORD
SymlinkLocalToLocalEvaluationREG_DWORD
SymlinkLocalToRemoteEvaluationREG_DWORD
SymlinkRemoteToRemoteEvaluationREG_DWORD
SymlinkRemoteToLocalEvaluationREG_DWORD

Other policies in the same category

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