diff --git a/src/path_scope.py b/src/path_scope.py
index 31828a6a9f..ba84229a79 100644
--- a/src/path_scope.py
+++ b/src/path_scope.py
@@ -60,7 +60,12 @@ def validate_payload(self, payload: str, cwd: str | Path | None = None) -> PathS
     def validate_path(self, candidate: str | Path, cwd: str | Path | None = None) -> PathScopeDecision:
         raw = os.path.expandvars(os.path.expanduser(str(candidate)))
         if _is_windows_absolute(raw):
-            return self._validate_windows_path(raw)
+            if os.name != 'nt':
+                return self._validate_windows_path(raw)
+            elif not any(_is_windows_absolute(str(root)) for root in self.roots):
+                # Even on Windows, deny if no roots are Windows absolute paths (edge case)
+                return PathScopeDecision(False, 'windows absolute path is outside workspace scope', str(candidate), raw)
+                
         base = Path(cwd).expanduser().resolve(strict=False) if cwd else self.roots[0]
         path = Path(raw)
         if not path.is_absolute():
@@ -116,7 +121,7 @@ def extract_path_candidates(payload: str) -> tuple[str, ...]:
         tokens = payload.split()
     raw_tokens = payload.split()
     candidates: list[str] = []
-    for token in (*tokens, *raw_tokens):
+    for token in (*raw_tokens, *tokens):
         if not token or token.startswith('-') or _ENV_ASSIGNMENT_RE.match(token):
             continue
         token = _strip_redirection_operator(token)
diff --git a/tests/test_security_scope.py b/tests/test_security_scope.py
index 59275dda78..4c16773b63 100644
--- a/tests/test_security_scope.py
+++ b/tests/test_security_scope.py
@@ -107,6 +107,11 @@ def test_explicit_worktree_roots_are_allowed(self) -> None:
 
             self.assertTrue(decision.allowed, decision.reason)
 
+    def test_extract_path_candidates_preserves_unc_paths(self) -> None:
+        payload = r'type \\server\share\secret.txt'
+        candidates = extract_path_candidates(payload)
+        self.assertIn(r'\\server\share\secret.txt', candidates)
+
     def test_windows_absolute_paths_are_denied_for_posix_workspace(self) -> None:
         with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmp:
             workspace = Path(tmp) / 'workspace'
@@ -116,9 +121,13 @@ def test_windows_absolute_paths_are_denied_for_posix_workspace(self) -> None:
             unc_decision = WorkspacePathScope.from_root(workspace).validate_payload(r'type \\server\share\secret.txt')
 
             self.assertFalse(drive_decision.allowed)
-            self.assertIn('windows absolute path', drive_decision.reason)
             self.assertFalse(unc_decision.allowed)
-            self.assertIn('windows absolute path', unc_decision.reason)
+            if os.name == 'nt':
+                self.assertIn('outside workspace scope', drive_decision.reason)
+                self.assertIn('outside workspace scope', unc_decision.reason)
+            else:
+                self.assertIn('windows absolute path', drive_decision.reason)
+                self.assertIn('windows absolute path', unc_decision.reason)
 
     def test_file_and_shell_tools_use_workspace_scope_context(self) -> None:
         with tempfile.TemporaryDirectory() as tmp: