How to Configure Microsoft Defender Application Guard Settings with GPEDIT and REGEDIT
Key Notes
- You can configure settings via Group Policy or Registry Editor.
- Additional options include enabling camera access and data persistence.
- Detailed value data is crucial for proper configuration.
Mastering Microsoft Defender Application Guard Settings on Windows 10/11
Configuring Microsoft Defender Application Guard is essential for enhancing security in Windows environments. This guide provides you with step-by-step instructions on adjusting these settings using either the Registry Editor or Local Group Policy Editor. By following this guide, users can customize their security settings effectively to meet their specific needs.
Configuring Microsoft Defender Application Guard using GPEDIT
To effectively manage configurations for Microsoft Defender Application Guard through the Group Policy Editor, follow the steps outlined below.
Step 1: Open Group Policy Editor
Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc, and hit Enter.
Step 2: Navigate to the Settings Path
Follow this path: Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Application Guard.
Step 3: Customize Settings
Double-click on any specific setting, choose the Enabled/Disabled option as needed, and click OK once done.
Pro Tip: Always remember to sign out and sign back in to apply changes effectively.
Detailed Settings Overview
The following settings can be managed through the Group Policy Editor:
- Allow auditing events: Enables logging of events and data collection.
- Allow camera and microphone access: Use camera/mic in apps within Application Guard.
- Allow data persistence: Retains data across sessions.
- Allow file downloads to the host: Adjusts file saving behavior.
- Allow hardware-accelerated rendering: Enables advanced graphic rendering.
- Allow usage of Root Certificate Authorities: Facilitates certificate sharing.
- Clipboard settings: Configures clipboard synchronization options.
- Print settings: Adjusts printing functionalities in isolation.
- Block non-enterprise content: Restricts content loading from non-enterprise sources.
- Managed mode: Controls Application Guard activation.
Managing Microsoft Defender Application Guard through REGEDIT
Now, let’s configure the settings using Registry Editor with these straightforward steps.
Step 1: Access the Registry Editor
Open the Run dialog by pressing Win + R, then type regedit and press Enter.
Step 2: Create AppHVSI Key
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft and create a new key named AppHVSI.
Step 3: Set Required Registry Values
Create a REG_DWORD Value called AllowAppHVSI_ProviderSet and set its value to 0/1/2/3 according to your preferences.
Pro Tip: Use 1 for enabling Application Guard only for Microsoft Edge.
Required Registry Values
For full configuration, the following registry values are essential:
- AllowAppHVSI_ProviderSet: Manage Application Guard’s functionality based on assigned values.
- Other settings include:
- AuditApplicationGuard: Logs auditing.(1 for enable, 0 for disable)
- AllowCameraMicrophoneRedirection: Camera/mic redirection (1 to enable, 0 to disable)
- AllowPersistence: Data retention across sessions (1 to enable, 0 to disable)
- SaveFilesToHost: Control file download locations (1 to enable, 0 to disable)
- AllowVirtualGPU: Hardware acceleration (1 to enable, 0 to disable)
- CertificateThumbprints: Manage root certificates used in Application Guard.
Once all the values are correctly set, remember to reboot your system for the changes to take effect.
Summary
This guide provided straightforward instructions for configuring Microsoft Defender Application Guard settings using Group Policy Editor and Registry Editor. Users learned how to enable, disable, and modify settings for enhanced security across Windows 10/11 systems.
Conclusion
Configuring Microsoft Defender Application Guard greatly enhances your system’s security. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can tailor the application’s settings to better protect your data and privacy. Make sure to revisit configurations whenever updates occur in Windows for optimal security.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How do I turn on Managed Mode in Microsoft Defender Application Guard?
Start by accessing the Local Group Policy Editor, navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Application Guard. Double-click on the Turn on Microsoft Defender Application Guard in Managed Mode setting and select Enabled.
How do I enable Windows Defender using GPEDIT?
Open the Local Group Policy Editor and navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus. Here, double-click on Turn off Microsoft Defender Antivirus and set it to Not Configured or Disabled.