18.9.69.3 (L2) Ensure 'Turn off the Store application' is set to 'Enabled'

Information

This setting denies or allows access to the Store application.
The recommended state for this setting is: Enabled.
Note: Per Microsoft TechNet and MSKB 3135657, this policy setting does not apply to any Windows 10 editions other than Enterprise and Education.

Rationale:
Only applications approved by an IT department should be installed. Allowing users to install 3rd party applications can lead to missed patches and potential zero day vulnerabilities.

Solution

To establish the recommended configuration via GP, set the following UI path to Enabled:
Computer Configuration\Policies\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Store\Turn off the Store application
Note: This Group Policy path may not exist by default. It is provided by the Group Policy template WinStoreUI.admx/adml that is included with the Microsoft Windows 8.0 & Server 2012 (non-R2) Administrative Templates, or by the Group Policy template WindowsStore.admx/adml that is included with the Microsoft Windows 10 Release 1511 Administrative Templates (or newer).

Impact:
Access to the Microsoft Store application is denied.

Default Value:
Disabled. (Access to the Microsoft Store application is allowed.)

References:
1. CCE-35811-9

See Also

https://workbench.cisecurity.org/benchmarks/14249

Item Details

Category: CONFIGURATION MANAGEMENT

References: 800-53|CM-11, CSCv6|2, CSCv7|2.6

Plugin: Windows

Control ID: f5981fcb54f506375334cc7e3541dbf1e960f4a2284080ec32a121a883316b12