Define blocked file types in SharePoint 2010


In this article we will be seeing about blocked file types in SharePoint 2010. Each Web application maintains a list of blocked file types that is based on file name extensions which can be restricted from being uploaded or downloaded.

Using Central Administration:

  • Go to Central Administration => Security => General Security => Define blocked file types.

    Block1.gif
     
  • Select the web application from the drop down.
  • Type the file extension that has to be added in the blocked file types.
  • Click on Ok.

    Block2.gif

Using Visual Studio 2010:

  • Open Visual Studio 2010.
  • Go to File => New => Project.
  • Select Console Application from the installed templates.
  • Enter the Name and click Ok.
  • Add the following references.

    o Microsoft.SharePoint.dll
     
  • Add the following namespaces.

    o using Microsoft.SharePoint;
    o using System.Collections.ObjectModel;
     
  • Replace the code with the following.

     string webAppUrl = "http://serverName:10/";
     string addBlockFileType = "aspx";
     string removeBlockFileType = "asp";
     SPWebApplication webApp = SPWebApplication.Lookup(new Uri(webAppUrl));
     Collection<string> blockFileTypes = webApp.BlockedFileExtensions;
     foreach (string fileExtension in blockFileTypes)
     {
         // displaying all the file extensions that are blocked
         Console.WriteLine(fileExtension.ToString());
     }
     Console.ReadLine();

     // adding blocked file type
     blockFileTypes.Add(addBlockFileType);

     // removing blocked file type
     blockFileTypes.Remove(removeBlockFileType);

     webApp.Update();     

  • Build the solution.

  • Hit F5.

  • All the file extensions from the blocked file type will be displayed as shown in the following.

    Block3.gif
     

  • A new file extension "aspx" is added and the existing file extension "asp" is removed successfully.