Understanding Generic Accounts

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 71 views

Introduction

When it comes to configuring search results in SharePoint 2013, one of the common challenges is to exclude generic accounts from the search results. Generic accounts, such as system accounts and test users, can clutter the search results and make it difficult for users to find the relevant information they need. In this article, we will discuss how to configure the search results query to exclude generic accounts in SharePoint 2013.

Understanding Generic Accounts

Generic accounts are users that are created in Active Directory (AD) for specific purposes, such as system administration, testing, or development. These accounts are often used to perform tasks that require elevated privileges or to test new features and functionality. However, these accounts can also be included in the search results, which can make it difficult for users to find the relevant information they need.

Why Exclude Generic Accounts from Search Results?

There are several reasons why you may want to exclude generic accounts from search results:

Improved search relevance: By excluding generic accounts from search results, you can improve the relevance of the search results and make it easier for users to find the information they need.
Reduced clutter: Generic accounts can clutter the search results and make it difficult for users to find the relevant information they need.
Enhanced security: Excluding generic accounts from search results can also enhance security by reducing the risk of sensitive information being exposed.

Configuring Search Results Query to Exclude Generic Accounts

To configure the search results query to exclude generic accounts, you will need to use the SharePoint Search Query Language (SQL). The SQL query is used to filter the search results and exclude generic accounts.

Step 1: Identify the Generic Accounts

The first step is to identify the generic accounts that you want to exclude from the search results. You can do this by querying Active Directory (AD) to retrieve a list of generic accounts.

Step 2: Create a Search Query

Once you have identified the generic accounts, you can create a search query to exclude them from the search results. The search query can be created using the SharePoint Search Query Language (SQL).

Example Search Query

Here is an example search query that excludes generic accounts from the search results:

NOT ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( ( (<br/>
**Configure Search Results Query to Exclude Generic Accounts: Q&A**
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Q: What are generic accounts and why do I want to exclude them from search results?
A: Generic accounts are users that are created in Active Directory (AD) for specific purposes, such as system administration, testing, or development. These accounts are often used to perform tasks that require elevated privileges or to test new features and functionality. Excluding generic accounts from search results can improve search relevance, reduce clutter, and enhance security by reducing the risk of sensitive information being exposed.
Q: How do I identify the generic accounts that I want to exclude from search results?
A: You can identify generic accounts by querying Active Directory (AD) to retrieve a list of generic accounts. You can use the Active Directory Users and Computers (ADUC) console or the PowerShell cmdlet Get-ADUser to retrieve a list of users that match specific criteria, such as being a member of a specific group or having a specific attribute.
Q: What is the SharePoint Search Query Language (SQL) and how do I use it to exclude generic accounts from search results?
A: The SharePoint Search Query Language (SQL) is a query language that is used to filter search results in SharePoint. You can use the SQL query to exclude generic accounts from search results by using the NOT operator to exclude users that match specific criteria, such as being a member of a specific group or having a specific attribute.
Q: Can I use the SharePoint Search Query Language (SQL) to exclude generic accounts from search results in a specific scope?
A: Yes, you can use the SharePoint Search Query Language (SQL) to exclude generic accounts from search results in a specific scope. You can use the Scope parameter to specify the scope of the search query, and then use the NOT operator to exclude users that match specific criteria.
Q: How do I configure the search results query to exclude generic accounts in SharePoint 2013?
A: To configure the search results query to exclude generic accounts in SharePoint 2013, you will need to create a new search query that uses the SharePoint Search Query Language (SQL) to exclude users that match specific criteria. You can then add the new search query to the search results page and configure the scope of the search query to exclude generic accounts.
Q: Can I use the SharePoint Search Query Language (SQL) to exclude generic accounts from search results in SharePoint Online?
A: Yes, you can use the SharePoint Search Query Language (SQL) to exclude generic accounts from search results in SharePoint Online. However, you will need to use the SharePoint Online Search Query Language (SOL) instead of the SharePoint Search Query Language (SQL). The SOL is similar to the SQL, but it has some additional features and syntax that are specific to SharePoint Online.
Q: How do I troubleshoot issues with the search results query that excludes generic accounts?
A: To troubleshoot issues with the search results query that excludes generic accounts, you can use the SharePoint Search Query Language (SQL) debugger to test the query and identify any issues. You can also use the SharePoint Search Query Language (SQL) logs to troubleshoot issues with the query.
Q: Can I use the SharePoint Search Query Language (SQL) to exclude generic accounts from search results in a specific content source?
A: Yes, you can use the SharePoint Search Query Language (SQL) to exclude generic accounts from search results in a specific content source. You can use the Content Source parameter to specify the content source of the search query, and then use the NOT operator to exclude users that match specific criteria.
Q: How do I configure the search results query to exclude generic accounts in a specific content type?
A: To configure the search results query to exclude generic accounts in a specific content type, you will need to create a new search query that uses the SharePoint Search Query Language (SQL) to exclude users that match specific criteria. You can then add the new search query to the search results page and configure the scope of the search query to exclude generic accounts in the specific content type.