How to Install Windows Defender Application Control
Introduction
Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) is a powerful security feature that can help protect your computer from malware and other threats. By controlling which applications are allowed to run on your computer, WDAC can help to prevent malicious software from infecting your system. In this blog post, we will show you how to install and configure WDAC on your computer.
How to Install Windows Defender Application Control
To install WDAC, you will need to have Windows 10 Enterprise or Windows 10 Pro with the Enterprise Features package installed. Once you have the required software, you can follow these steps to install WDAC:
- Open the Start menu and type "Windows Defender Application Control".
- Click on the "Windows Defender Application Control" icon.
- Click on the "Install" button.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.
How to Configure Windows Defender Application Control
Once WDAC is installed, you will need to configure it to protect your computer. To do this, you will need to create a set of rules that define which applications are allowed to run on your computer. You can create rules based on the following criteria:
- File hash: This rule allows you to specify the hash of a specific file. Only files with the specified hash will be allowed to run.
- Path: This rule allows you to specify the path to a specific file or folder. Only files and folders in the specified path will be allowed to run.
- Publisher: This rule allows you to specify the publisher of a specific application. Only applications from the specified publisher will be allowed to run.
- Product name: This rule allows you to specify the product name of a specific application. Only applications with the specified product name will be allowed to run.
- Version: This rule allows you to specify the version of a specific application. Only applications with the specified version will be allowed to run.
To create a rule, click on the "Add" button in the WDAC console. Then, select the type of rule you want to create and enter the appropriate information.
How to Enforce Windows Defender Application Control
Once you have created a set of rules, you will need to enforce them. To do this, you will need to enable WDAC in the Group Policy Editor. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the Group Policy Editor.
- Navigate to the following path: Computer ConfigurationAdministrative TemplatesWindows ComponentsWindows Defender Application Control.
- Double-click on the "Turn on Windows Defender Application Control" policy setting.
- Select the "Enabled" option.
- Click on the "Apply" button.
- Click on the "OK" button.
How to Monitor Windows Defender Application Control
Once WDAC is enabled, you will need to monitor it to ensure that it is working properly. To do this, you can use the WDAC console. The WDAC console will show you a list of all the rules that have been created, as well as a list of all the applications that have been blocked.
Conclusion
WDAC is a powerful security feature that can help to protect your computer from malware and other threats. By following the steps in this blog post, you can install and configure WDAC on your computer.