File Explorer - Can the address and search boxes be hidden?

I'm in the middle of creating a Group Policy object for my organization and am looking to lock down File Explorer as much as possible.

I want to remove the search box, as well as the Address bar. With the Navigation Pane, I've managed to set it up, such that there is only one section: ThisPC. Under it, shows only the Downloads folder.

with the Address Bar, I'm noticing that you can use the arrows between the folders to navigate to various folders. I want to prevent this. I was thinking by removing the address bar, if possible. Is it possible? And if so, how? Looking for a Group Policy or Regedit approach to apply globally.

dalchina said:

Hi, whilst there appear to be some group policy options related to search in f. explorer, I doubt there's anything to hide it or block its function completely.

However, you might find Policy Plus (free) useful- it's like the Group Policy Editor, but has a find function so you can search available policies.

You will be aware that you can create and add policies- if you search generally you might find something relevant to your needs.

I'll look into that, thanks. I think there's a way to hide it, but you have to do it manually through the options. I did read that somewhere. When you've got 150+ workstations in your network, something like this is unacceptable, unless you create a single image and deploy it, but that also takes time, as well.

spunk said:

Is this network a Peer to Peer network or are you logging into a Domain using Windows Server and Active Directory?
If using AD, you can create a Group in which the users will be locked down with a restricted policy. Then add all of your users you want to restrict to this Group.

I created an Active Directory as a test lab which mimics my production lab, but on a smaller scale.

Can you give me a little more info on how to do this? This would be through Group Policy, right? Also, what would be the end result? I'm guessing the Address bar would still be there, but what about when I click on the arrows between the folder names along the address bar? Would additional folders still show or would they be hidden from the user's view (I would want this if the address bar cannot be removed).