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MSFT Windows11 Security Book - Sept2023

Windows 11 is designed with security prioritized to protect organizations and users. It offers improved default security protections compared to Windows 10, including features to safeguard credentials, applications, and privacy. Windows 11 works with hardware and management solutions for comprehensive end-to-end security from devices to the cloud.

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)

86 views80 pages

MSFT Windows11 Security Book - Sept2023

Uploaded by

duke

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Windows 11

Security Book:
Powerful security
by design

1
Table of contents
Introduction 3

Hardware Security 6

Operating System Security 14

Application Security 35

Identity 42

Privacy 55

Cloud Services 58

Security Foundation 71

Conclusion 73

Table of Contents | Introduction | Hardware Security | Operating System Security | Application Security 2
Identity | Privacy | Cloud Services | Security Foundation | Conclusion
Introduction
Emerging technologies and evolving business trends bring new opportunities and
challenges for organizations of all sizes. As technology and workstyles transform, so
does the threat landscape with growing numbers of increasingly sophisticated attacks on
organizations and employees.

To thrive, organizations need security to work anywhere. Microsoft’s 2022 Work Trend Index
shows “cybersecurity issues and risks” are top concerns for business decision-makers, who
worry about issues like malware, stolen credentials, devices that lack security updates, and
physical attacks on lost or stolen devices.

In the past, a corporate network and software-based security were the first lines of defense.
With an increasingly distributed and mobile workforce, attention has shifted to hardware-
based endpoint security. People are now the top target for cybercriminals, with 74% of all
breaches due to human error, privilege misuses, stolen credentials, or social engineering.
Most attacks are financially motivated, and credential theft, phishing, and exploitation of
vulnerabilities are the primary attack vectors. Credential theft is the most prevalent attack
vector, accounting for 50% of breaches.¹

At Microsoft, we work hard to help organizations evolve and stay agile while protecting
against modern threats. We’re committed to helping businesses and their employees get
secure—and stay secure. We synthesize 43 trillion signals daily to understand and protect
against digital threats. We have more than 8,500 dedicated security professionals across 77
countries and over 15,000 partners in our security ecosystem striving to increase resilience for
our customers.²

Businesses worldwide are moving toward secure-by-design and secure-by-default strategies.

With these models, organizations choose products from manufacturers that consider security
as a business requirement, not just a technical feature. With a secure-by-default strategy,
businesses can proactively reduce risk and exposure to threats across their organization
because products are shipped with security features already built in and enabled.

To help businesses transform and thrive in a new era, we built Windows 11 to be secure by
design and secure by default. Windows 11 devices arrive with more security features enabled
out of the box. In contrast, Windows 10 devices came with many safeguards turned off
unless enabled by IT or employees. The default security provided by Windows 11 elevates
protection without needing to configure settings. In addition, Windows 11 devices have been
shown to increase malware resistance without impacting performance.³

Windows 11 is the most secure Windows ever, built in deep partnership with original
equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and silicon manufacturers. Discover why organizations
of all sizes, including 90% of Fortune 500 companies, are taking advantage of the powerful
default protection of Windows 11.⁴

Windows 11 is designed with layers of security Out-of-the-box features such

enabled by default, so you can focus on your work, as credential safeguards,
not your security settings. Out-of-the-box features malware shields, and
such as credential safeguards, malware shields, and application protection led to a
application protection led to a reported 58% drop reported 58% drop in security
in security incidents, including a 3.1x reduction in incidents, including a 3.1x
firmware attacks.⁵ reduction in firmware attacks.

In Windows 11, hardware and software work together

to shrink the attack surface, protect system integrity,
and shield valuable data. New and enhanced features are designed for security by default.
For example, Win32 apps in isolation (public preview)⁶, token protection (public preview)⁶,
and Microsoft Intune Endpoint Privilege Management⁷ are some of the latest capabilities that
help protect your organization and employees against attack. Windows Hello and Windows
Hello for Business work with hardware-based features like TPM 2.0 and biometric scanners
for credential protection and easier, secure sign-on. Existing security features like BitLocker
encryption have also been enhanced to optimize both security and performance.

Protect employees against evolving threats

With attackers targeting employees and their devices, Businesses reported 2.8x
organizations need stronger security against increasingly fewer instances of identity
sophisticated cyberthreats. Windows 11 provides theft with the hardware-
proactive protection against credential theft. Windows backed protection in
Hello and TPM 2.0 work together to shield identities. Windows 11.⁵
Secure biometric sign-in virtually eliminates the risk
of lost or stolen passwords. And enhanced phishing
protection increases safety. In fact, businesses reported
2.8x fewer instances of identity theft with the hardware-backed protection in Windows 11.⁵

Gain mission-critical application safeguards

Help keep business data secure and employees productive with robust safeguards and
control for applications. Windows 11 has multiple layers of application security that shield
critical data and code integrity. Application protection, privacy controls, and least-privilege
principles enable developers to build in security by design. This integrated security protects
against breaches and malware, helps keep data private, and gives IT administrators the
controls they need. As a result, organizations and regulators can be confident that critical
data is protected.

Increase protection and efficiency with Windows 11 and chip-to-cloud security. Microsoft
offers comprehensive cloud services for identity, storage, and access management. In addition,
Microsoft also provides the tools needed to attest that Windows 11 devices connecting to your
network or accessing your data and resources are trustworthy. You can also enforce compliance
and conditional access with modern device management (MDM) solutions such as Microsoft
Intune⁹ and Microsoft Entra ID (formerly known as Azure Active Directory).

Security by default not only enables people to work securely anywhere, but it also simplifies IT.
A streamlined, chip-to-cloud security solution based on Windows 11 has improved productivity
for IT and security teams by a reported 25%.⁸

Security by design and default

In Windows 11, hardware and software work together to protect sensitive data from the core
of your PC all the way to the cloud. Comprehensive protection helps keep your organization
secure, no matter where people work. This simple diagram shows the layers of protection in
Windows 11, while each chapter provides a layer-by-layer deep dive into features.

Microsoft Entra ID (formerly AAD) Microsoft Azure Attestation Service Universal Print
Protecting your Protecting your personal information
Modern Device Management (MDM) Windows Update for Business OneDrive for work or school
work information Find my device
Cloud Microsoft Account
− Microsoft Security baseline Windows Autopatch MDM enrollment certificate attestation
− Microsoft Intune
− Local Admin Password solution Windows Autopilot User reauthentication before OneDrive for personal
− Endpoint Privilege Management Enterprise State Roaming with Azure password disablement OneDrive Personal Vault
− Remote Wipe

Passwordless sign-in Advanced credential protection Privacy

Window Hello Passkeys Microsoft Defender SmartScreen enhanced phishing protection Privacy dashboard and report
Window Hello for Business Windows presence sensing Local Security Authority (LSA) protection Privacy transparency and controls

Identity Windows Hello PIN

Windows Hello biometric - fingerprint recognition
FIDO support
Microsoft Authenticator app
Credential Guard Privacy resource usage
Remote Credential Guard Windows diagnostic data processor
Windows Hello biometric - facial recognition Smart cards for Windows Service Token Protection configuration
Windows Hello biometric - enhanced sign-in security (ESS) Federated Sign-in Account Lockout policy
Window Hello for Business multi-factor unlock Access management and control

Smart App Control

Application and Application isolation Win 32 app isolation
Application driver control
App Control for Business
User Account Control
App containers
Microsoft vulnerable driver blocklist Windows Sandbox

Encryption and data protection Network security Virus and threat protection
BitLocker drive encryption Transport Layer Security (TLS) Windows Firewall Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Exploit protection
BitLocker To Go Domain Name System (DNS) security Virtual Private Network (VPN) Microsoft Defender Antivirus Controlled folder access
Device Encryption Bluetooth protection Server Message Block (SMB) file Attack surface reduction Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
services
Operating
Encrypted hard drive Securing Wi-Fi connections Tamper protection
Personal data encryption (PDE) 5G and eSIM
System Email encryption

System security Trusted Boot Code signing and integrity Kiosk Mode (aka Assigned Access)
Cryptography Device health attestation Config Refresh
Certificates Windows security policy settings and auditing Windows Security Settings

Hardware root-of-trust Silicon-assisted security

Hardware Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 Secured kernel Secured-core PC
(Chip)
− Firmware protection
Microsoft Pluton security processor Hardware-enforced stack protection − Secured-core configuration lock
Kernel Direct Memory Access (DMA) protection

Offensive research Certification Secure supply chain

Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
Security Foundation
Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL)
OneFuzz service Common Criteria certifications (CC) Windows application software development kit (SDK)
Microsoft Offensive Research and Security Engineering (MORSE)
Windows Insiders and Bug Bounty program

Learn more: Windows security features licensing and edition requirements

6
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly AAD) Microsoft Azure Attestation Service Universal Print
Protecting your Protecting your personal information
Modern Device Management (MDM) Windows Update for Business Microsoft OneDrive for Business
work information Find my device
Cloud Microsoft Account
− Microsoft Security baseline Windows Autopatch − OneDrive for work or school
− Microsoft Intune
− Local Admin Password solution Windows Autopilot MDM enrollment certificate attestation User reauthentication before OneDrive for personal
− Microsoft
Endpoint Entra Management
Privilege ID (formerly AAD) Microsoft Azure
Enterprise StateAttestation Service
Roaming with Azure Universal Print password disablement OneDrive Personal Vault
Protecting your − Remote Wipe Protecting your personal information
Modern Device Management (MDM) Windows Update for Business OneDrive for work or school
work information Find my device
Cloud Microsoft Account
− Microsoft Security baseline Windows Autopatch MDM enrollment certificate attestation
− Microsoft Intune
− Local Admin Password solution Windows Autopilot User reauthentication before OneDrive for personal
− Endpoint Privilege Management Enterprise State Roaming with Azure password disablement OneDrive Personal Vault
Passwordless sign-in − Remote Wipe
Advanced credential protection Privacy
Window Hello Passkeys Microsoft Defender SmartScreen enhanced phishing protection Privacy dashboard and report
Window Hello for Business Windows presence sensing Local Security Authority (LSA) protection Privacy transparency and controls
Passwordless sign-in Advanced credential protection Privacy Privacy resource usage
Identity Windows
Windows
Hello PIN
Hello Hello
Window biometric - fingerprint recognition
FIDO support
Microsoft
PasskeysAuthenticator app
Credential Guard
Privacy dashboard and report
Microsoft
Remote Defender SmartScreen
Credential Guard enhanced phishing protection Windows diagnostic data processor
Window
Windows Hello Hello for Business
biometric - facial recognition Windows
Smart presence
cards sensing
for Windows Service Local Security Authority (LSA) protection configuration
Privacy transparency and controls
Token Protection
Identity Windows
Windows Hello PIN - enhanced sign-in security (ESS)
Hello biometric FIDO support
Federated Sign-in
Microsoft Authenticator app
Credential
Account Guard
Lockout policy Privacy resource usage
WindowWindows
Hello forHello biometric
Business - fingerprint
multi-factor recognition
unlock Remote Credential
Access Guard and control
management
Windows diagnostic data processor
Windows Hello biometric - facial recognition Smart cards for Windows Service Token Protection configuration
Windows Hello biometric - enhanced sign-in security (ESS) Federated Sign-in Account Lockout policy
Window Hello for Business multi-factor unlock Access management and control
Smart App Control
Application and Application isolation Win 32 app isolation
Application driver control
App Control for Business
User Account Control
App containers
Smart App Control
Application and Microsoft vulnerable driver blocklist Application isolation Win Windows Sandbox
32 app isolation
Application driver control
App Control for Business
User Account Control
App containers
Microsoft vulnerable driver blocklist Windows Sandbox

Encryption and data protection Network security Virus and threat protection
BitLocker drive encryption
Encryption and data protection Transport Layer Security (TLS)
Network security Windows Firewall VirusMicrosoft Defender SmartScreen
and threat protection Exploit protection
BitLocker To Go Domain Name System (DNS) security Virtual Private Network (VPN) Microsoft Defender Antivirus Controlled folder access
BitLocker drive encryption Transport Layer Security (TLS) Windows Firewall Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Exploit protection
Device Encryption Bluetooth protection Server Message Block (SMB) file Attack surface reduction
BitLocker To Go Domain Name System (DNS) security Virtual Private Network (VPN)
services Microsoft Defender Antivirus ControlledMicrosoft Defender for Endpoint
folder access
Operating
Encrypted hard drive Securing Wi-Fi connections
Device Encryption Bluetooth protection Server Message Block (SMB) file AttackTamper
surface protection
reduction Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Personal data encryption
hard drive(PDE) 5GSecuring
and eSIM services
Operating
Encrypted Wi-Fi connections
System Email encryption
Personal data encryption (PDE) 5G and eSIM
Tamper protection

System Email encryption

System security Trusted Boot Code signing and integrity Kiosk Mode (aka Assigned Access)
System security Trusted Boot
Cryptography Code signing
Device and
health integrity
attestation Kiosk Config
Mode (aka Assigned Access)
Refresh
Cryptography
Certificates Device
Windowshealth attestation
security policy settings and auditing Config Refresh Security Settings
Windows
Certificates Windows security policy settings and auditing Windows Security Settings

Hardware root-of-trust Silicon-assisted security

Hardware
Hardware
Hardware root-of-trust
TrustedTrusted
Platform Module
Platform (TPM)(TPM)
Module 2.0 2.0
Silicon-assisted security
Secured
Secured kernel
kernel
Secured-core
Secured-core PC PC
(Chip)(Chip)
− Firmware protection
Microsoft PlutonPluton
Microsoft security processor
security processor Hardware-enforced
Hardware-enforced stack protection
stack protection
− Firmware protection
− Secured-core
− Secured-core configurationconfiguration
lock lock
Kernel
Kernel Direct
Direct Memory
Memory AccessAccess
(DMA)(DMA) protection
protection

Offensive
Offensive research
research Certification
Certification SecureSecure
supply supply
chain chain
Federal
FederalInformation Processing Standard (FIPS)(FIPS) SoftwareSoftware
Bill of Materials (SBOM) (SBOM)
Security Foundation
Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) Information Processing Standard Bill of Materials
Security Foundation
Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL)
OneFuzz service Common Criteria certifications (CC) Windows application software development kit (SDK)
OneFuzz service Common Criteria certifications (CC) Windows application software development kit (SDK)
Microsoft Offensive Research and Security Engineering (MORSE)
Microsoft Offensive Research and Security Engineering (MORSE)
Windows Insiders and Bug Bounty program
Windows Insiders and Bug Bounty program

Today’s ever-evolving threats require strong alignment between hardware and software
technologies to keep users, data, and devices protected. The operating system alone cannot
defend against the wide range of tools and techniques cybercriminals use to compromise a
computer. Once they gain a foothold, intruders can be difficult to detect as they engage in
multiple nefarious activities ranging from stealing important data and credentials to implanting
malware into low-level device firmware. Once malware is installed in firmware, it becomes
difficult to identify and remove.

These new threats call for computing hardware that is secure down to the very core, including
the hardware chips and processors that store sensitive business information. With hardware-
based protection, we can enable strong mitigation against entire classes of vulnerabilities that
are difficult to thwart with software alone. Hardware-based protection can also improve the
system’s overall security without measurably slowing performance, compared to implementing
the same capability in software.

With Windows 11, Microsoft has raised the hardware security bar to design the most
secure version of Windows ever from chip to cloud. We have carefully chosen the hardware
requirements and default security features based on threat intelligence, global regulatory
requirements, and our own Microsoft Security team’s expertise. We have worked with our chip
and device manufacturing partners to integrate advanced security capabilities across software,
firmware, and hardware.

Through a powerful combination of hardware root-of-trust and silicon-assisted security,

Windows 11 delivers built-in hardware protection out of the box.

Table of Contents | Introduction | Hardware Security | Operating System Security | Application Security 7
Identity | Privacy | Cloud Services | Security Foundation | Conclusion
Hardware root-of-trust
A hardware root-of-trust helps protect and maintain the integrity of the system as the device
powers on, loads firmware, and then launches the operating system, meeting important
system security goals.

For example, the Secure Boot process provides a secure startup environment that allows
devices to boot only with software trusted by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM).
When the PC starts, the firmware checks the signature of each piece of boot software,
including Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) firmware drivers (also known as Option
ROMs), Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) applications, and the operating system. If the
signatures are valid, the PC boots, and the firmware gives control to the operating system.
Rollback protection also prevents the system from rolling back to older versions of firmware.

In addition, hardware root-of-trust provides a highly secure area for storing cryptographic
keys, data, and code, isolated from the operating system and applications. This protection
helps mitigate attacks against the Windows authentication stack, single sign-on tokens, the
Windows Hello biometric stack, and BitLocker volume encryption keys.

Trusted Platform Module (TPM)

Trusted Platform Module (TPM) technology is designed to provide hardware-based, security-

related functions. TPMs provide security and privacy benefits for system hardware, platform
owners, and users. Windows Hello, BitLocker, System Guard (previously called Windows
Defender System Guard), and other Windows features rely on the TPM for capabilities such as
key generation, secure storage, encryption, boot integrity measurements, and attestation. These
capabilities in turn help organizations strengthen the protection of their identities and data.

The 2.0 version of TPM includes support for newer algorithms, which provides improvements
like support for stronger cryptography. To upgrade to Windows 11, existing Windows 10
devices much meet minimum system requirements for CPU, RAM, storage, firmware, TPM,
and more. All new Windows 11 devices come with TPM 2.0 built in. With Windows 11, both
new and upgraded devices must have TPM 2.0. The requirement strengthens the security
posture across all Windows 11 devices and helps ensure that these devices can benefit from
future security capabilities that depend on a hardware root-of-trust.

Learn more: Windows 11 TPM specifications

Learn more: Enabling TPM 2.0 on your PC

Learn more: Trusted Platform Module technology overview

The Microsoft Pluton security processor is the result of Microsoft’s close partnership with
silicon partners. Pluton enhances the protection of Windows 11 devices, including Secured-
core PCs, with a hardware security processor that provides additional protection for
cryptographic keys and other secrets. Pluton is designed to reduce the attack surface by
integrating the security chip directly into the processor. It can be used as a TPM 2.0 or as a
standalone security processor. When a security processor is located on a separate, discrete
chip on the motherboard, the communication path between the hardware root-of-trust and
the CPU can be vulnerable to physical attack. Embedding Pluton into the CPU makes it harder
to exploit the communication path.

Pluton supports the TPM 2.0 industry standard, allowing customers to immediately benefit
from enhanced security for Windows features that rely on TPMs, including BitLocker,
Windows Hello, and System Guard. Pluton can also support other security functionality
beyond what is possible with the TPM 2.0 specification. This extensibility allows for additional
Pluton firmware and OS features to be delivered over time via Windows Update.

As with other TPMs, credentials, encryption keys, and other sensitive information cannot
be easily extracted from Pluton even if an attacker has installed malware or has complete
physical possession of the PC. Storing sensitive data like encryption keys securely within the
Pluton processor, which is isolated from the rest of the system, helps ensure that attackers
cannot access sensitive data—even if attackers use emerging techniques like speculative
execution.

Pluton also solves the major security challenge of keeping its own security processor
firmware up to date across the entire PC ecosystem. Today customers receive updates to
their security firmware from a variety of different sources, which may make it difficult for
customers to get alerts about security updates, keeping systems in a vulnerable state. Pluton
provides a flexible, updateable platform for its firmware that implements end-to-end security
functionality authored, maintained, and updated by Microsoft. Pluton is integrated with the
Windows Update service, benefiting from over a decade of operational experience in reliably
delivering updates across over a billion endpoint systems.

Microsoft Pluton is available with select new Windows PCs.

Learn more: Meet the Microsoft Pluton processor – The security chip designed for the future
of Windows PCs

Learn more: Microsoft Pluton security processor

Table of Contents | Introduction | Hardware Security | Operating System Security | Application Security 9
Identity | Privacy | Cloud Services | Security Foundation | Conclusion
Silicon assisted security
In addition to a modern hardware root-of-trust, there are numerous other capabilities in
the latest chips that harden the operating system against threats by protecting the boot
process, safeguarding the integrity of memory, isolating security-sensitive compute logic,
and more.

Secured kernel

To secure the kernel we have two key features: virtualization-based security (VBS) and
hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI). All Windows 11 devices will support HVCI and
most new devices will come with VBS and HVCI protection turned on by default.

Virtualization-based security (VBS), also known as core isolation, is a critical building

block in a secure system. VBS uses hardware virtualization features to host a secure kernel
separated from the operating system. This means that even if the operating system is
compromised, the secure kernel is still protected.

The isolated VBS environment protects processes, such as security solutions and credential
managers, from other processes running in memory. Even if malware gains access to the
main OS kernel, the hypervisor and virtualization hardware help prevent the malware from
executing unauthorized code or accessing platform secrets in the VBS environment. VBS
implements virtual trust level 1 (VTL1), which has higher privilege than the virtual trust level 0
(VTL0) implemented in the main kernel.

Since more privileged VTLs can enforce their own memory protections, higher VTLs can
effectively protect areas of memory from lower VTLs. In practice, this allows a lower VTL
to protect isolated memory regions by securing them with a higher VTL. For example,
VTL0 could store a secret in VTL1, at which point only VTL1 could access it. Even if VTL0 is
compromised, the secret would be safe.

Learn more: Virtualization-based security (VBS)

Hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI), also called memory integrity, uses VBS to run
Kernel Mode Code Integrity (KMCI) inside the secure VBS environment instead of the main
Windows kernel. This helps prevent attacks that attempt to modify kernel-mode code for
things like drivers. The KMCI checks that all kernel code is properly signed and hasn’t been
tampered with before it is allowed to run.

HVCI ensures that only validated code can be executed in kernel mode. The hypervisor
leverages processor virtualization extensions to enforce memory protections that prevent
kernel-mode software from executing code that has not been first validated by the code
integrity subsystem. HVCI protects against common attacks like WannaCry that rely on the
ability to inject malicious code into the kernel. HVCI can prevent injection of malicious kernel-
mode code even when drivers and other kernel-mode software have bugs.

Learn more: Enable memory integrity

Hardware-enforced stack protection

Hardware-enforced stack protection integrates software and hardware for a modern defense
against cyberthreats like memory corruption and zero-day exploits. Based on Control- flow
Enforcement Technology (CET) from Intel and AMD Shadow Stacks, hardware-enforced
stack protection is designed to protect against exploit techniques that try to hijack return
addresses on the stack.

Application code includes a program processing stack that hackers seek to corrupt or disrupt in
a type of attack called stack smashing. When defenses like executable space protection began
thwarting such attacks, hackers turned to new methods like return-oriented programming.
Return-oriented programming, a form of advanced stack smashing, can bypass defenses, hijack
the data stack, and ultimately force a device to perform harmful operations.

To guard against these control-flow hijacking attacks, the Windows kernel creates a separate
“shadow stack” for return addresses. Windows 11 extends stack protection capabilities to
provide both user mode and kernel mode support.

Kernel Direct Memory Access (DMA) Protection

Windows 11 also provides protection against physical threats such as drive-by Direct Memory
Access (DMA) attacks. Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) hot-pluggable
devices such as Thunderbolt, USB4, and CFexpress allow users to attach new classes of
external peripherals, including graphics cards or other PCI devices, to their PCs with the plug-
and-play ease of USB. Because PCI hot-plug ports are external and easily accessible, PCs are
susceptible to drive-by DMA attacks.

Memory access protection (also known as Kernel DMA Protection) protects against these
attacks by preventing external peripherals from gaining unauthorized access to memory.

Drive-by DMA attacks typically happen quickly while the system owner isn’t present. The
attacks are performed using simple to moderate attacking tools created with affordable, off-
the-shelf hardware and software that do not require the disassembly of the PC.

For example, a PC owner might leave a device for a quick coffee break. Meanwhile, an
attacker plugs an external tool into a port to steal information or inject code that gives the
attacker remote control over the PCs, including the ability to bypass the lock screen. With
memory access protection built in and enabled, Windows 11 is protected against physical
attack wherever people work.

Table of Contents | Introduction | Hardware Security | Operating System Security | Application Security 11
Identity | Privacy | Cloud Services | Security Foundation | Conclusion
Windows 11 Secured-core PCs
The March 2021 Security Signals report found that more than 80% of enterprises have
experienced at least one firmware attack in the past two years. For customers in data-
sensitive industries like financial services, government, and healthcare, Microsoft has worked
with OEM partners to offer a special category of devices called Secured-core PCs (SCPCs).
The devices ship with additional security measures enabled at the firmware layer, or device
core, that underpins Windows.

Secured-core PCs help prevent malware attacks and minimize firmware vulnerabilities by
launching into a clean and trusted state at startup with a hardware-enforced root-of-trust.
Virtualization-based security comes enabled by default. With built-in hypervisor-protected
code integrity (HVCI) shielding system memory, Secured-core PCs ensure that all kernel
executable code is signed only by known and approved authorities. Secured-core PCs also
protect against physical threats such as drive-by Direct Memory Access (DMA) attacks with
kernel DMA protection.

Secured-core PC firmware protection

Secured-core PCs provide multiple layers of robust protection against hardware and firmware
attacks. Sophisticated malware attacks may commonly attempt to install “bootkits” or
“rootkits” on the system to evade detection and achieve persistence. This malicious software
may run at the firmware level prior to Windows being loaded or during the Windows boot
process itself, enabling the system to start with the highest level of privilege. Because critical
subsystems in Windows leverage virtualization-based security, protecting the hypervisor
becomes increasingly important. To ensure that no unauthorized firmware or software can
start before the Windows bootloader, Windows PCs rely on the Unified Extensible Firmware
Interface (UEFI) Secure Boot standard, a baseline security feature of all Windows 11 PCs.
Secure Boot helps ensure that only authorized firmware and software with trusted digital
signatures can execute. In addition, measurements of all boot components are securely
stored in the TPM to help establish a non-repudiable audit log of the boot called the Static
Root of Trust for Measurement (SRTM).

Thousands of PC vendors produce numerous device models with diverse UEFI firmware
components, which in turn creates an incredibly large number of SRTM signatures and
measurements at bootup. Because these signatures and measurements are inherently trusted
by Secure Boot, it can be challenging to constrain trust to only what is needed to boot on
any specific device. Traditionally, blocklists and allowlists were the two main techniques used
to constrain trust, and they continue to expand if devices rely only on SRTM measurements.

In Secured-core PCs, System Guard Secure Launch protects bootup with a technology known
as the Dynamic Root of Trust for Measurement (DRTM). With DRTM, the system initially
follows the normal UEFI Secure Boot process. However, before launching, the system enters
a hardware-controlled trusted state that forces the CPU(s) down a hardware-secured code
path. If a malware rootkit or bootkit has bypassed UEFI Secure Boot and resides in memory,
DRTM will prevent it from accessing secrets and critical code protected by the virtualization-
Table of Contents | Introduction | Hardware Security | Operating System Security | Application Security 12
Identity | Privacy | Cloud Services | Security Foundation | Conclusion
based security environment. Firmware Attack Surface Reduction (FASR) technology can be
used instead of DRTM on supported devices such as Microsoft Surface.

System Management Mode (SMM) isolation is an execution mode in x86-based processors

that runs at a higher effective privilege than the hypervisor. SMM complements the
protections provided by DRTM by helping to reduce the attack surface. Relying on
capabilities provided by silicon providers like Intel and AMD, SMM isolation enforces policies
that implement restrictions such as preventing SMM code from accessing OS memory. The
SMM isolation policy is included as part of the DRTM measurements that can be sent to a
verifier like Microsoft Azure Remote Attestation.

Secure Launch Windows 11

Virtualization Based
Security Enforcement
Apps

Trustlet #2

Trustlet #3
Trustlet #1
UNIFIED EXTENSIBLE
FIRMWARE INTERFACE Windows
Platform
Services

Secure Kernel Kernel

Hypervisor

Learn more: Dynamic Root of Trust measure and SMM isolation

Secured-core configuration lock (config lock)

In enterprise organizations, IT administrators enforce policies on their corporate devices to

protect the OS and keep devices in a compliant state by preventing users from changing
configurations and creating configuration drift. Configuration drift occurs when users with
local admin rights change settings and put the device out of sync with security policies.
Devices in a non-compliant state can be vulnerable until the next sync, when configuration is
reset with the modern device management (MDM) solution.

Secured-core configuration lock (config lock) is a Secured-core PC feature that prevents users
from making unwanted changes to security settings. With config lock, the OS monitors the
registry keys that are supported and reverts to the IT-desired SCPC state in seconds after
detecting a drift.

Learn more: Windows 11 with config lock

14
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly AAD) Microsoft Azure Attestation Service Universal Print
Protecting your Protecting your personal information
Modern Device Management (MDM) Windows Update for Business Microsoft OneDrive for Business
work information Find my device
Cloud Microsoft Account
− Microsoft Security baseline Windows Autopatch − OneDrive for work or school
− Microsoft Intune
− Microsoft
Local Admin Entra ID (formerly
Password solution AAD) Windows
Microsoft Autopilot
Azure Attestation Service MDM Print
Universal enrollment certificate attestation User reauthentication before OneDrive for personal
Protecting your − Endpoint Protecting yourdisablement
password personal informationOneDrive Personal Vault
ModernPrivilege
Device Management
Management (MDM) Windows Update
Enterprise for Business
State Roaming with Azure OneDrive for work or school
work information − Remote Wipe Find my device
Cloud Microsoft Account
− Microsoft Security baseline Windows Autopatch MDM enrollment certificate attestation
− Microsoft Intune
− Local Admin Password solution Windows Autopilot User reauthentication before OneDrive for personal
− Endpoint Privilege Management Enterprise State Roaming with Azure password disablement OneDrive Personal Vault
− Remote Wipe

Passwordless sign-in Advanced credential protection Privacy

Window Hello Passkeys Microsoft Defender SmartScreen enhanced phishing protection Privacy dashboard and report
WindowPasswordless
Hello for Businesssign-in Windows presence sensing Advanced credential
Local Security protection
Authority (LSA) protection Privacy Privacy transparency and controls
Identity Windows Hello Hello
Window
Windows
PIN
Hello Hello
biometric - fingerprint recognition
FIDO support
Passkeys
Microsoft
WindowsAuthenticator app
Credential
Microsoft Guard
Defender SmartScreen enhanced phishing protection Privacy and
Privacy dashboard resource
reportusage
Window for Business presence sensing Remote
Local SecurityCredential Guard
Authority (LSA) protection Windows and
Privacy transparency diagnostic
controlsdata processor
Smart
FIDO cards for Windows Service configuration
Identity Windows
Windows
Hello biometric
Windows Hello PIN - facial recognition
Hello biometric
Windows - enhanced
Hello biometric sign-in
- fingerprint security (ESS)
recognition
support
Federated
Microsoft Sign-in
Authenticator app
Token Protection
Credential Guard Privacy resource usage
Account
Remote Lockout
Credential policy
Guard Windows diagnostic data processor
WindowWindows
Hello forHello biometric
Business - facial recognition
multi-factor unlock Smart cards for Windows Service Token Protection configuration
Access management and control
Windows Hello biometric - enhanced sign-in security (ESS) Federated Sign-in Account Lockout policy
Window Hello for Business multi-factor unlock Access management and control

Smart App Control

Application and Application isolation Win 32 app isolation
Application driverApplication
App Control for Business
control and User Smart App Control
Account Control Application isolation
App containers
Win 32 app isolation
Application driver control
App Control for Business
Microsoft vulnerable driver blocklist
User Account Control
Windows Sandbox
App containers
Microsoft vulnerable driver blocklist Windows Sandbox

Encryption and data protection Network security Virus and threat protection
Encryption and data protection Network security VirusMicrosoft
and threat protection
Defender SmartScreen
BitLocker drive encryption Transport Layer Security (TLS) Windows Firewall Exploit protection
BitLocker
BitLocker To Go drive encryption Transport
Domain NameLayer Security
System (TLS)security
(DNS) Windows FirewallNetwork (VPN)
Virtual Private Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Exploit protection
Microsoft Defender Antivirus Controlled folder access
Device BitLocker
EncryptionTo Go Domain Name
Bluetooth System (DNS) security
protection Virtual
ServerPrivate Network
Message Block(VPN)
(SMB) file Microsoft Defender Antivirus Controlled folder access
Attack surface reduction Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Device Encryption Bluetooth protection Server Message Block (SMB) file
services Attack surface reduction Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Operating
Encrypted hard drive Securing Wi-Fi connections Tamper protection
services
Operating
Encrypted hard drive Securing Wi-Fi connections Tamper protection
Personal data encryption (PDE) 5G and eSIM
System
System
Personal data encryption (PDE)
Email encryption
Email encryption
5G and eSIM

System security
System security Trusted BootBoot
Trusted Codesigning
Code signingand
and integrity
integrity Kiosk Kiosk
ModeMode (aka Assigned
(aka Assigned Access) Access)
Cryptography
Cryptography Devicehealth
Device healthattestation
attestation ConfigConfig Refresh
Refresh
Certificates
Certificates Windowssecurity
Windows security policy
policy settings
settings andand auditing
auditing Windows
Windows Security
Security Settings
Settings

Hardware
Hardware root-of-trust
root-of-trust Silicon-assisted security
Silicon-assisted security
Hardware
Hardware Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 Secured kernel Secured-core PC
Secured-core PC
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 Secured kernel
(Chip)(Chip)
− Firmware protection
Microsoft Pluton security processor Hardware-enforced stack protection − Firmware protection
Microsoft Pluton security processor Hardware-enforced stack protection − Secured-core
−
configuration lock
Secured-core configuration lock
Kernel Direct Memory Access (DMA) protection
Kernel Direct Memory Access (DMA) protection

Offensive research Certification Secure supply chain

Offensive research Certification
Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) SoftwareSecure supply
Bill of Materials chain
(SBOM)
Security Foundation
Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL)
OneFuzz service Federal Information Processing
(CC) Standard (FIPS) Software Billsoftware
of Materials (SBOM) kit (SDK)
Security Foundation
Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) Common Criteria certifications Windows application development
Microsoft
OneFuzz service Offensive Research and Security Engineering (MORSE) Common Criteria certifications (CC) Windows application software development kit (SDK)
Windows Insiders and Bug Bounty program
Microsoft Offensive Research and Security Engineering (MORSE)
Windows Insiders and Bug Bounty program

Windows 11 is the most secure Windows yet with extensive security measures in the
operating system designed to help keep devices, identities, and information safe. These
measures include built-in advanced encryption and data protection, robust network system
security, and intelligent safeguards against ever-evolving viruses and threats.

System security
Trusted Boot (Secure Boot + Measured Boot)

Windows 11 requires all PCs to use Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI)’s Secure
Boot feature. When a Windows 11 device starts, Secure Boot and Trusted Boot work together
to prevent malware and corrupted components from loading. Secure Boot provides initial
protection, then Trusted Boot picks up the process.

Secure Boot makes a safe and trusted path from the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface
(UEFI) through the Windows kernel’s Trusted Boot sequence. Malware attacks on the
Windows boot sequence are blocked by the signature-enforcement handshakes throughout
the boot sequence between the UEFI, bootloader, kernel, and application environments.

To reduce the risk of firmware rootkits, the PC verifies that firmware is digitally signed as it
begins the boot process. Then Secure Boot checks the OS bootloader’s digital signature as
well as all code that runs prior to the operating system starting to ensure the signature and
code are uncompromised and trusted by the Secure Boot policy.

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Trusted Boot picks up the process that begins with Secure Boot. The Windows bootloader
verifies the digital signature of the Windows kernel before loading it. The Windows kernel, in
turn, verifies every other component of the Windows startup process, including boot drivers,
startup files, and any antimalware product’s early-launch antimalware (ELAM) driver. If any
of these files have been tampered with, the bootloader detects the problem and refuses
to load the corrupted component. Often, Windows can automatically repair the corrupted
component, restoring the integrity of Windows and allowing the PC to start normally.

Tampering or malware attacks on the Windows boot sequence are blocked by the signature
enforcement handshakes between the UEFI, bootloader, kernel, and application environments.

For more information about these features and how they help prevent rootkits and bootkits
from loading during the startup process, see Secure the Windows boot process.

Learn more: Secure Boot and Trusted Boot

Cryptography

Cryptography is designed to protect user and system data. The cryptography stack in
Windows 11 extends from the chip to the cloud, enabling Windows, applications, and services
to protect system and user secrets. For example, data can be encrypted so that only a specific
reader with a unique key can read it. As a basis for data security, cryptography helps prevent
anyone except the intended recipient from reading data, performs integrity checks to ensure
data is free of tampering, and authenticates identity to ensure that communication is secure.

Windows 11 cryptography is certified to meet the Federal Information Processing Standard

(FIPS) 140. FIPS 140 certification ensures that US government-approved algorithms are
correctly implemented.

Learn more: FIPS 140 validation

Windows cryptographic modules provide low-level primitives such as:

• Random number generators (RNG)

• Support for AES 128/256 with XTS, ECB, CBC, CFB, CCM, and GCM modes of operation;
RSA and DSA 2048, 3072, and 4096 key sizes; ECDSA over curves P-256, P-384, P-521

• Hashing (support for SHA1, SHA-256, SHA-384, and SHA-512)

• Signing and verification (padding support for OAEP, PSS, and PKCS1)

• Key agreement and key derivation (support for ECDH over NIST-standard prime curves
P-256, P-384, P-521 and HKDF)

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Application developers can use these cryptographic modules to perform low-level
cryptographic operations (Bcrypt), key storage operations (NCrypt), protect static data
(DPAPI), and securely share secrets (DPAPI-NG).

Learn more: Cryptography and certificate management

Developers can access the modules on Windows through the Cryptography Next Generation
API (CNG), which is powered by Microsoft’s open-source cryptographic library, SymCrypt.
SymCrypt supports complete transparency through its open-source code. In addition,
SymCrypt offers performance optimization for cryptographic operations by taking advantage
of assembly and hardware acceleration when available.

SymCrypt is part of Microsoft’s commitment to transparency, which includes the global

Microsoft Government Security Program that aims to provide the confidential security
information and resources people need to trust Microsoft’s products and services. The
program offers controlled access to source code, threat and vulnerability information
exchange, opportunities to engage with technical content about Microsoft’s products and
services, and access to five globally distributed Transparency Centers.

Certificates

To help safeguard and authenticate information, Windows provides comprehensive support

for certificates and certificate management.

The built-in certificate management command-line utility (certmgr.exe) or MMC snap-in

(certmgr.msc) can be used to view and manage certificates, certificate trust lists (CTLs), and
certificate revocation lists (CRLs). Whenever a certificate is used in Windows, we validate
that the leaf certificate and all the certificates in its chain of trust have not been revoked or
compromised. The CTLs and CRLs on the machine are used as a reference for PKI trust and
are updated monthly by the Microsoft Trusted Root program. If a trusted certificate or root
is revoked, all global devices will be updated, meaning users can trust that Windows will
automatically protect against vulnerabilities in public key infrastructure.

For cloud and enterprise deployments, Windows also offers users the ability to auto-enroll
and renew certificates in Active Directory with Group Policy to reduce the risk of potential
outages due to certificate expiration or misconfiguration. Additionally, enterprise certificate
pinning can be used to help reduce man-in-the-middle attacks by enabling users to protect
their internal domain names from chaining to unwanted certificates. A web application’s
server authentication certificate chain is checked to ensure it matches a restricted set of
certificate authorities. Any web application triggering a name mismatch will start event
logging and prevent user access from Microsoft Edge.

To ensure that Windows files have not been tampered with, the Windows Code Integrity
process verifies the signature of each file in Windows. Code signing is core to establishing
the integrity of firmware, drivers, and software across the Windows platform. Code signing
creates a digital signature by encrypting the hash of the file with the private key portion of
a code-signing certificate and embedding the signature into the file. The Windows code
integrity process verifies the signed file by decrypting the signature to check the integrity of
the file and confirm that it is from a reputable publisher, ensuring that the file hasn’t been
tampered with.

The digital signature is evaluated across the Windows environment on Windows boot code,
Windows kernel code, and Windows user mode applications. Secure Boot and Code Integrity
verify the signature on bootloaders, Option ROMs, and other boot components to ensure
that it is trusted and from a reputable publisher. For drivers not published by Microsoft,
Kernel Code Integrity verifies the signature on kernel drivers and requires that drivers be
signed by Windows or certified by the Windows Hardware Compatibility Program (WHCP).
This program ensures that third-party drivers are compatible with various hardware and
Windows and that the drivers are from vetted driver developers.

Device health attestation

The Windows device health attestation process supports a Zero Trust paradigm that shifts the
focus from static, network-based perimeters to users, assets, and resources.

The attestation process confirms the device, firmware, and boot process are in a good
state and have not been tampered with before they can access corporate resources. These
determinations are made with data stored in the TPM, which provides a secure root-of-trust.
The information is sent to an attestation service such as Azure Attestation to verify that the
device is in a trusted state. Then a modern device management (MDM) tool like Microsoft
Intune⁹ reviews device health and connects this information with Microsoft Entra ID⁹ for
conditional access.

Windows includes many security features to help protect users from malware and attacks.
However, security components are trustworthy only if the platform boots as expected
and is not tampered with. As noted above, Windows relies on Unified Extensible Firmware
Interface (UEFI) Secure Boot, ELAM, DRTM, Trusted Boot, and other low-level hardware and
firmware security features to protect your PC from attacks. From the moment you power
on your PC until your antimalware starts, Windows is backed with the appropriate hardware
configurations that help keep you safe. Measured Boot, implemented by bootloaders and
BIOS, verifies and cryptographically records each step of the boot in a chained manner. These
events are bound to the TPM, that functions as a hardware root-of-trust. Remote attestation
is the mechanism by which these events are read and verified by a service to provide a
verifiable, unbiased, and tamper-resilient report. Remote attestation is the trusted auditor of
your system’s boot, allowing reliant parties to bind trust to the device and its security.

• During each step of the boot process—such as a file load, update of special variables, and
more—information such as file hashes and signature(s) are measured in the TPM Platform
Configuration Register (PCRs). The measurements are bound by a Trusted Computing
Group specification that dictates which events can be recorded and the format of each
event. The data provides important information about device security from the moment it
powers on.

• Once Windows has booted, the attestor (or verifier) requests the TPM get the
measurements stored in its PCRs alongside the Measured Boot log. Together, these form
the attestation evidence that’s sent to the Microsoft Azure Attestation Service.

• The TPM is verified by using the keys or cryptographic material available on the chipset
with an Azure Certificate Service.

• The above information is sent to the Azure Attestation Service to verify that the device is
in a trusted state.

Learn more: Control the health of Windows devices

Windows security policy settings and auditing

Security policy settings are a critical part of your overall security strategy. Windows provides
a robust set of security setting policies that IT administrators can use to help protect
Windows devices and other resources in your organization. Security policies settings are rules
you can configure on a device, or multiple devices, to control:

• User authentication to a network or device.

• Resources that users are permitted to access.

• Whether to record a user or group’s actions in the event log.

• Membership in a group.

Security auditing is one of the most powerful tools that you can use to maintain the integrity
of your network and assets. Auditing can help identify attacks, network vulnerabilities, and
attacks against high-value targets. You can specify categories of security-related events to
create an audit policy tailored to the needs of your organization.

1. Identify your most critical resources and activities.

2. Identify the audit settings you need to track them.

3. Assess the advantages and potential costs associated with each resource or setting.

4. Test these settings to validate your choices.

5. Develop plans for deploying and managing your audit policy.

Learn more: Security policy settings

Learn more: Security auditing

Kiosk Mode (a.k.a. Assigned Access)

With Assigned Access, Windows 11 devices restrict functionality to pre-selected applications

depending on the user and keep individual identities separate, which is ideal for public-facing
or shared devices. Configuring a device in Kiosk Mode is a straightforward process. You can
do this locally on the device or remotely using modern device management.

Learn more: Kiosk Mode

Config Refresh

With traditional Group Policy, policies were refreshed on a PC when a user signed in and
every 90 minutes by default. Administrators could adjust that timing to be shorter to ensure
that the PC’s policies were compliant with the management settings set by IT.

By contrast, with an MDM solution like Microsoft Intune⁹, policies are refreshed when a user
signs in and then at eight-hour intervals by default. But as more available group policies
were implemented through MDM, one remaining gap was the longer period between the
reapplication of a changed policy.

Config Refresh allows settings in the Policy configuration service provider (CSP) that drift
due to misconfiguration, registry edits, or malicious software on a PC to be reset to the value
the administrator intended every 90 minutes by default. It is configurable to refresh every 30
minutes if desired. The Policy CSP covers hundreds of settings that were traditionally set with
Group Policy and are now set through MDM.

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Config Refresh can also be “paused” for a configurable period of time, after which it will be
reenabled. This is to support scenarios where a helpdesk technician might need to reconfigure
a PC for troubleshooting purposes. It can also be resumed at any time by an administrator.

Windows security settings

Visibility and awareness of device security and health are key to any action taken. The
Windows built-in security settings provide an at-a-glance view of the security status and
health of your device. These insights help you identify issues and act to make sure you’re
protected. You can quickly see the status of your virus and threat protection, firewall and
network security, device security controls, and more.

Learn more: Windows security settings

Learn more: Windows security

Encryption and data protection

When people travel with their PCs, their confidential information travels with them. Wherever
confidential data is stored, it must be protected against unauthorized access, whether
through physical device theft or from malicious applications.

BitLocker

BitLocker Drive Encryption is a data protection feature that integrates with the operating
system and addresses the threats of data theft or exposure from lost, stolen, or
inappropriately decommissioned computers. BitLocker uses the AES algorithm in XTS or CBC
mode of operation with 128-bit or 256-bit key length to encrypt data on the volume. Cloud
storage on Microsoft OneDrive or Azure⁹ can be used to save recovery key content. BitLocker
can be managed by any MDM solution such as Microsoft Intune⁶ using a configuration
service provider (CSP).⁹

BitLocker provides encryption for the OS, fixed data, and removable data drives (BitLocker To
Go), leveraging technologies like Hardware Security Test Interface (HSTI), Modern Standby,
UEFI Secure Boot, and TPM. Windows consistently improves data protection by expanding
existing options and providing new strategies.

Learn more: BitLocker overview

BitLocker To Go refers to BitLocker Drive Encryption on removable data drives. BitLocker To

Go includes the encryption of USB flash drives, SD cards, and external hard disk drives. Drives
can be unlocked using a password, certificate on a smart card, or recovery password.

Learn more: BitLocker FAQ

Device Encryption

Device Encryption is consumer-level device encryption that cannot be managed. Device

Encryption is turned on by default for devices with the right hardware components (for
example, TPM 2.0, UEFI Secure Boot, Hardware Security Test Interface, and Modern Standby).
However, for a commercial scenario, it is possible for commercial customers to disable Device
Encryption in favor of BitLocker Drive Encryption. BitLocker Drive Encryption is manageable
through MDM.

Encrypted hard drive

Encrypted hard drives are a class of hard drives that are self-encrypted at the hardware
level and allow for full-disk hardware encryption while being transparent to the device user.
These drives combine the security and management benefits provided by BitLocker Drive
Encryption with the power of self-encrypting drives.

By offloading the cryptographic operations to hardware, encrypted hard drives increase

BitLocker performance and reduce CPU usage and power consumption. Because encrypted
hard drives encrypt data quickly, BitLocker deployment can be expanded across enterprise
devices with little to no impact on productivity.

Encrypted hard drives enable:

• Smooth performance: Encryption hardware integrated into the drive controller allows the
drive to operate at full data rate without performance degradation.

• Strong security based in hardware: Encryption is always “on,” and the keys for encryption
never leave the hard drive. The drive authenticates the user independently from the
operating system before it unlocks.

• Ease of use: Encryption is transparent to the user, and the user does not need to enable it.
Encrypted hard drives are easily erased using an onboard encryption key. There is no need
to re-encrypt data on the drive.

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• Lower cost of ownership: There is no need for new infrastructure to manage encryption
keys since BitLocker leverages your existing infrastructure to store recovery information.
Your device operates more efficiently because processor cycles do not need to be used for
the encryption process.

Learn more: Encrypted hard drive

Personal data encryption

Personal Data Encryption refers to a new user authenticated encryption mechanism used
to protect user content. Windows Hello for Business is the modern user authentication
mechanism which is used with PDE. Windows Hello for Business, either with PIN or biometrics
(face or fingerprint), is used to protect the container which houses the encryption keys used
by Personal Data Encryption (PDE). When the user logs in (either after bootup or unlocking
after a lock screen), the container gets authenticated to release the keys in the container to
decrypt user content.

With the first release of PDE (Windows 11 22H2), the PDE API was available, which when
adopted by applications can protect data under the purview of the applications. With the
platform release of the next Windows version, PDE for Folders will be released, this feature
would require no updates to any applications and protects the contents in the Known
Windows Folders from bootup till first login. This reduces the barrier for entry for customers
and they will be able to get PDE security as part of the OS.

PDE requires Microsoft Entra ID (previously called Azure AD)⁹.

Learn more: Personal Data Encryption (PDE)

Email encryption

Email encryption enables users to encrypt outgoing email messages and attachments so
that only intended recipients with a digital identification (ID)—also called a certificate—can
read them.10 Users can digitally sign a message, which verifies the identity of the sender and
ensures the message has not been tampered with.

These encrypted messages can be sent by a user to people within their organization as well
as external contacts who have proper encryption certificates.

However, recipients using Windows 11 Mail app can only read encrypted messages if the
message is received on their Exchange account and they have corresponding decryption
keys. Encrypted messages can be read only by recipients who have a certificate. If an
encrypted message is sent to recipients whose encryption certificates are not available, the
app will prompt you to remove these recipients before sending the email.

Learn more: Email encryption

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Network security
Windows 11 raises the bar for network security, offering comprehensive protection to help
people work with confidence from almost anywhere. To help reduce an organization’s attack
surface, network protection in Windows prevents people from accessing dangerous IP
addresses and domains that may host phishing scams, exploits, and other malicious content.
Using reputation-based services, network protection blocks access to potentially harmful,
low-reputation domains and IP addresses.

New DNS and TLS protocol versions strengthen the end-to-end protections needed for
applications, web services, and Zero Trust networking. File access adds an untrusted network
scenario with Server Message Block over QUIC, as well as new encryption and signing
capabilities. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth advancements also provide greater trust in connections to
other devices. In addition, VPN and Windows Firewall (previously called Windows Defender
Firewall) platforms offer new ways to easily configure and debug software.

In enterprise environments, network protection works best with Microsoft Defender

for Endpoint, which provides detailed reporting on protection events as part of larger
investigation scenarios.

Learn more: How to protect your network

Transport layer security (TLS)

Transport Layer Security (TLS) is the internet’s most deployed security protocol, encrypting
data in transit to provide a secure communication channel between two endpoints. Windows
defaults to the latest protocol versions and strong cipher suites unless policies are in effect to
limit them. There are many extensions available, such as client authentication for enhanced
server security and session resumption for improved application performance.

TLS 1.3 is the latest version of the protocol and is enabled by default starting with Windows
11 and Windows Server 2022. TLS 1.3 eliminates obsolete cryptographic algorithms, enhances
security over older versions, and encrypts as much of the TLS handshake as possible. The
handshake is more performant, with one fewer round trip per connection on average, and
supports only five strong cipher suites, which provide perfect forward secrecy and reduced
operational risk.

Customers using TLS 1.3 (or Windows components that support it, including HTTP.SYS,
WinInet, .NET, MsQuic, and more) will get enhanced privacy and lower latencies for their
encrypted online connections. Note that if either the client or server does not support TLS
1.3, Windows will fall back to TLS 1.2.

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Legacy protocol versions TLS 1.0 and 1.1 are officially deprecated and will be disabled by
default in future OS versions only. This change will come to Windows Insider Preview in
September 2023. Organizations and application developers are strongly encouraged to begin
to identify and remove code dependencies on TLS 1.0/1.1 if they have not done so already.

Learn more: TLS/SSL overview (Schannel SSP)

Learn more: TLS 1.0 and TLS 1.1 soon to be disabled in Windows

DNS security

In Windows 11, the Windows DNS client supports DNS over HTTPS and DNS over TLS, two
encrypted DNS protocols. These allow administrators to ensure their devices protect their
name queries from on-path attackers, whether they are passive observers logging browsing
behavior or active attackers trying to redirect clients to malicious sites. In a Zero Trust
model where no trust is placed in a network boundary, having a secure connection to a
trusted name resolver is required.

Windows 11 provides Group Policy as well as programmatic controls to configure DNS

over HTTPS behavior. As a result, IT administrators can extend existing security to adopt
new models such as Zero Trust. IT administrators can mandate DNS over HTTPS protocol,
ensuring that devices that use insecure DNS will fail to connect to network resources. IT
administrators also have the option not to use DNS over HTTPS or DNS over TLS for legacy
deployments where network edge appliances are trusted to inspect plain-text DNS traffic.
By default, Windows 11 will defer to the local administrator on which resolvers should use
encrypted DNS.

Support for DNS encryption integrates with existing Windows DNS configurations such
as the Name Resolution Policy Table (NRPT) and the system Hosts file, as well as resolvers
specified per network adapter or network profile. The integration helps Windows 11 ensure
that the benefits of greater DNS security do not regress existing DNS control mechanisms.

Bluetooth protection

The number of Bluetooth devices connected to Windows 11 continues to increase.

Windows users connect their Bluetooth headsets, mice, keyboards, and other accessories
and improve their day-to-day PC experience by enjoying streaming, productivity, and
gaming. Windows supports all standard Bluetooth pairing protocols, including classic and LE
Secure connections, secure simple pairing, and classic and LE legacy pairing. Windows also
implements host-based LE privacy. Windows updates help users stay current with OS and
driver security features in accordance with the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) and
Standard Vulnerability Reports, as well as issues beyond those required by the Bluetooth core
industry standards. Microsoft strongly recommends that Bluetooth accessories’ firmware and
software are kept up to date.

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IT-managed environments have a number of Bluetooth policies (MDM, Group Policy, and
PowerShell) that can be managed through MDM tools such as Microsoft Intune⁹. You can
configure Windows to use Bluetooth technology while supporting the security needs of your
organization. For example, you can allow input and audio while blocking file transfer, force
encryption standards, limit Windows discoverability, or even disable Bluetooth entirely for the
most sensitive environments.

Securing Wi-Fi connections

Windows Wi-Fi supports industry-standard authentication and encryption methods when

connecting to Wi-Fi networks. WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) is a security standard defined by the
Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) to provide sophisticated data encryption and better user authentication.

The current security standard for Wi-Fi authentication is WPA3, which provides a more
secure and reliable connection method as compared to WPA2 and older security protocols.
Windows supports three WPA3 modes—WPA3 Personal, WPA3 Enterprise, and WPA3
Enterprise 192-bit Suite B.

Windows 11 includes WPA3 Personal with the new H2E protocol and WPA3 Enterprise 192-
bit Suite B. Windows 11 also supports WPA3 Enterprise, which includes enhanced server
certificate validation and TLS 1.3 for authentication using EAP-TLS authentication.

Opportunistic Wireless Encryption (OWE), a technology that allows wireless devices to

establish encrypted connections to public Wi-Fi hotspots, is also included.

5G and eSIM

5G networks use stronger encryption and better network segmentation compared to

previous generations of cellular protocols. Unlike Wi-Fi, 5G access is always mutually
authenticated. Access credentials are stored in an EAL4-certified eSIM that is physically
embedded in the device, making it much harder for attackers to tamper with. Together, 5G
and eSIM provide a strong foundation for security.

Learn more: eSIM configuration of a download server

Windows Firewall

Windows Firewall with Advanced Security (previously called Windows Defender Firewall) is an
important part of a layered security model. It provides host-based, two-way network traffic
filtering, blocking unauthorized traffic flowing into or out of the local device based on the
types of networks the device is connected to.

• Reduces the risk of network security threats: Windows Firewall reduces the attack surface
of a device with rules that restrict or allow traffic by many properties, such as IP addresses,
ports, or program paths. This functionality increases manageability and decreases the
likelihood of a successful attack.

• Safeguards sensitive data and intellectual property: By integrating with Internet Protocol
Security (IPSec), Windows Firewall provides a simple way to enforce authenticated, end-
to-end network communications. It provides scalable, tiered access to trusted network
resources, helping to enforce integrity of the data, and optionally helping to protect the
confidentiality of the data.

• Extends the value of existing investments: Because Windows Firewall is a host-based

firewall that is included with the operating system, there is no additional hardware or
software required. Windows Firewall is also designed to complement existing non-
Microsoft network security solutions through a documented application programming
interface (API).

Windows 11 makes the Windows Firewall easier to analyze and debug. IPSec behavior
has been integrated with Packet Monitor (pktmon), an in-box, cross-component network
diagnostic tool for Windows. Additionally, the Windows Firewall event logs have been
enhanced to ensure an audit can identify the specific filter that was responsible for any given
event. This enables analysis of firewall behavior and rich packet capture without relying on
third-party tools.

Admins can now configure additional settings through the Firewall and Firewall Rule policy
templates in the Endpoint Security node in Microsoft Intune⁹, leveraging the platform
support from the Firewall configuration service provider (CSP) and applying these settings to
Windows endpoints.

Learn more: Windows Firewall with Advanced Security

Virtual private networks (VPN)

Organizations have long relied on Windows to provide reliable, secured, and manageable
virtual private network (VPN) solutions. The Windows VPN client platform includes built- in VPN
protocols, configuration support, a common VPN user interface, and programming support for
custom VPN protocols. VPN apps are available in the Microsoft Store for both enterprise and
consumer VPNs, including apps for the most popular enterprise VPN gateways.

In Windows 11, we’ve integrated the most commonly used VPN controls right into the
Windows 11 Quick Actions pane. From the Quick Actions pane, users can see the status of
their VPN, start and stop the VPN tunnels, and with one click, go to the modern Settings app
for more control.

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The Windows VPN platform connects to Microsoft Entra ID⁹ and Conditional Access for
single sign-on, including multifactor authentication (MFA) through Microsoft Entra ID.
The VPN platform also supports classic domain-joined authentication. It’s supported by
Microsoft Intune and other modern device management (MDM) providers. The flexible VPN
profile supports both built-in protocols and custom protocols. It can configure multiple
authentication methods and can be automatically started as needed or manually started by
the end user. It also supports split-tunnel VPN and exclusive VPN with exceptions for trusted
external sites.

With Universal Windows Platform (UWP) VPN apps, end users never get stuck on an old
version of their VPN client. VPN apps from the store will be automatically updated as needed.
Naturally, the updates are in the control of your IT admins.

The Windows VPN platform has been tuned and hardened for cloud-based VPN providers
like Azure VPN. Features like Microsoft Entra ID authentication, Windows user interface
integration, plumbing IKE traffic selectors, and server support are all built into the Windows
VPN platform. The integration into the Windows VPN platform leads to a simpler IT admin
experience. User authentication is more consistent, and users can easily find and control
their VPN.

Learn more: Windows VPN technical guide

Server Message Block file services

Server Message Block (SMB) and file services are the most common Windows workloads in
the commercial and public sector ecosystem. Users and applications rely on SMB to access
the files that run organizations of all sizes. In Windows 11, the SMB protocol has significant
security updates to meet today’s threats, including AES-256 encryption, accelerated SMB
signing, Remote Directory Memory Access (RDMA) network encryption, and an entirely new
scenario, SMB over QUIC for untrusted networks.

SMB encryption provides end-to-end encryption of SMB data and protects data from
eavesdropping occurrences on internal networks. Windows 11 introduces AES-256-GCM and
AES-256-CCM cryptographic suites for SMB 3.1.1 encryption. Windows administrators can
mandate the use of this more advanced security or continue to use the more compatible and
still-safe AES-128 encryption.

In Windows 11 Enterprise, Education, Pro, and Pro Workstation, SMB Direct now supports
encryption. For demanding workloads like video rendering, data science, or extremely large
files, you can now operate with the same safety as traditional Transmission Control Protocol
(TCP) and the performance of RDMA. Previously, enabling SMB encryption disabled direct
data placement, making RDMA as slow as TCP. Now, data is encrypted before placement,
leading to relatively minor performance degradation while adding packet privacy with AES-
128 and AES-256 protection.

Table of Contents | Introduction | Hardware Security | Operating System Security | Application Security 28
Identity | Privacy | Cloud Services | Security Foundation | Conclusion
Windows 11 also introduces AES-128-GMAC for SMB signing. Windows will automatically
negotiate this better-performing cipher method when connecting to another computer that
supports it. Signing prevents common attacks like relay and spoofing, and it is required by
default when clients communicate with Active Directory domain controllers.

Finally, Windows 11 introduces SMB over QUIC, an alternative to the TCP network transport
that provides secure, reliable connectivity to edge file servers over untrusted networks like the
internet, as well as highly secure communications on internal networks. QUIC is an Internet
Engineering Task Force (IETF)-standardized protocol with many benefits when compared with
TCP, but most importantly, it always requires TLS 1.3 and encryption. SMB over QUIC offers
an SMB VPN for telecommuters, mobile device users, and high-security organizations. All
SMB traffic, including authentication and authorization within the tunnel, is never exposed
to the underlying network. SMB behaves normally within the QUIC tunnel, meaning the user
experience doesn’t change. SMB over QUIC will be a game-changing feature for Windows 11
accessing Windows file servers and eventually Azure Files and third parties.

Newly installed Windows 11 Home editions that contain the February 2023 cumulative
update no longer install the SMB 1.0 client by default, meaning the Home edition now
operates like all other editions of Windows 11. SMB 1.0 is an unsafe and deprecated protocol
that Microsoft superseded by later versions of SMB starting with Windows Vista. Microsoft
began uninstalling SMB 1.0 by default in certain Windows 10 editions in 2017. No versions of
Windows 11 now install SMB 1.0 by default.

Learn more: File sharing using the SMB 3 protocol

Virus and threat protection

Today’s threat landscape is more complex than ever. This new world requires a new approach
to threat prevention, detection, and response. Microsoft Defender Antivirus, along with
many other features that are built into Windows 11, is at the frontlines, protecting customers
against current and emerging threats.

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen

Microsoft Defender SmartScreen protects against phishing, malware websites and

applications, and the downloading of potentially malicious files.

SmartScreen determines whether a site is potentially malicious by:

• Analyzing visited webpages to find indications of suspicious behavior. If it determines a

page is suspicious, it will show a warning page advising caution.

• Checking the visited sites against a dynamic list of reported phishing sites and malicious
software sites. If it finds a match, SmartScreen warns that the site might be malicious.

• Checking downloaded files against a list of reported malicious software sites and
programs known to be unsafe. If it finds a match, SmartScreen warns that the file might
be malicious.

• Checking downloaded files against a list of well-known files. If the file is of a dangerous
type and not well-known, SmartScreen displays a caution alert.

With enhanced phishing protection in Windows 11, SmartScreen also alerts people when
they are entering their Microsoft credentials into a potentially risky location, regardless of
which application or browser is used. IT can customize which notifications appear through
Microsoft Intune⁹. This protection runs in audit mode by default, giving IT admins full control
to make decisions around policy creation and enforcement.

Because Windows 11 comes with these enhancements already built in and enabled, users
have extra security from the moment they turn on their device.

The app and browser control section contains information and settings for Microsoft
Defender SmartScreen. IT administrators and IT pros can get configuration guidance in the
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen documentation library.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Microsoft Defender Antivirus is a next-generation protection solution included in all versions

of Windows 10 and Windows 11. From the moment you turn on Windows, Microsoft
Defender Antivirus continually monitors for malware, viruses, and security threats. In addition
to real-time protection, updates are downloaded automatically to help keep your device
safe and protect it from threats. If you have another antivirus app installed and turned
on, Microsoft Defender Antivirus will turn off automatically. If you uninstall the other app,
Microsoft Defender Antivirus will turn back on.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus includes real-time, behavior-based, and heuristic antivirus

protection. This combination of always-on content scanning, file and process behavior
monitoring, and other heuristics effectively prevents security threats. Microsoft Defender
Antivirus continually scans for malware and threats and also detects and blocks potentially
unwanted applications (PUA), applications deemed to negatively impact your device but are
not considered malware.

Table of Contents | Introduction | Hardware Security | Operating System Security | Application Security 30
Identity | Privacy | Cloud Services | Security Foundation | Conclusion
Microsoft Defender Antivirus always-on protection is integrated with cloud-delivered
protection, which helps ensure near-instant detection and blocking of new and emerging
threats. This combination of local and cloud-delivered technologies provides award-winning
protection at home and at work.

Indicators of Checking
compromise against metadata
(IoCs) in the cloud

Attack surface Cloud protection

reduction rules and sample
submissions

Turn on cloud
protection
Endpoint
detection and Tamper
response protection
(EDR) in block enforcement
mode

Emergency Block at
signature first sight
updates

Learn more: Next-generation protection with Microsoft Defender Antivirus

Attack surface reduction

Attack surface reduction rules help prevent software behaviors that are often abused to
compromise devices and networks. By reducing the attack surface, you can reduce the
overall vulnerability of your organization. Administrators can configure specific attack surface
reduction rules to help block certain behaviors, such as:

• Launching executable files and scripts that attempt to download or run files.

• Running obfuscated or otherwise suspicious scripts.

• Performing behaviors that apps don’t usually initiate during normal day-to-day work.

For example, an attacker might try to run an unsigned script from a USB drive or have a
macro in an Office document make calls directly to the Win32 API. Attack surface reduction
rules can constrain these kinds of risky behaviors and improve the defensive posture of the
device. For comprehensive protection, follow steps for enabling hardware-based isolation

Learn more: Attack surface reduction

Tamper protection

Attacks like ransomware attempt to disable security features, such as anti-virus protection.
Bad actors like to disable security features to get easier access to user’s data, to install
malware, or otherwise exploit user’s data, identity, and devices without fear of being blocked.
Tamper protection helps prevent these kinds of activities.

With tamper protection, malware is prevented from taking actions such as:

• Disabling real-time protection.

• Turning off behavior monitoring.

• Disabling antivirus (such as IOfficeAntivirus (IOAV)).

• Disabling cloud-delivered protection.

• Removing security intelligence updates.

Learn more: Tamper protection

Exploit protection

Exploit protection automatically applies several exploit mitigation techniques to operating

system processes and apps. Exploit protection works best with Microsoft Defender for
Endpoint⁹, which gives organizations detailed reporting into exploit protection events and
blocks as part of typical alert investigation scenarios. You can enable exploit protection on
an individual device and then use Group Policy in Active Directory or Microsoft Intune⁹ to
distribute the configuration XML file to multiple devices simultaneously.

When a mitigation is encountered on the device, a notification will be displayed from the
Action Center. You can customize the notification with your company details and contact
information. You can also enable the rules individually to customize which techniques the
feature monitors.

You can use audit mode to evaluate how exploit protection would impact your organization if
it were enabled.

Windows 11 provides configuration options for exploit protection. You can prevent users
from modifying these specific options with Group Policy.

Learn more: Protecting devices from exploits

You can protect your valuable information in specific folders by managing app access to
them. Only trusted apps can access protected folders, which are specified when controlled
folder access is configured. Typically, commonly used folders, such as those used for
documents, pictures, and downloads, are included in the list of controlled folders.

Controlled folder access works with a list of trusted apps. Apps that are included in the
list of trusted software work as expected. Apps that are not included in the trusted list are
prevented from making any changes to files inside protected folders.

Controlled folder access helps protect user’s valuable data from malicious apps and threats
such as ransomware.

Learn more: Controlled folder access

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Microsoft Defender for Endpoint⁹ is an enterprise endpoint detection and response solution
that helps security teams detect, investigate, and respond to advanced threats.

Organizations can use the rich event data and attack insights Defender for Endpoint provides
to investigate incidents. Defender for Endpoint brings together the following elements to
provide a more complete picture of security incidents:

• Endpoint behavioral sensors: Embedded in Windows, these sensors collect and process
behavioral signals from the operating system and send this sensor data to your private,
isolated cloud instance of Microsoft Defender for Endpoint.

• Cloud security analytics: Behavioral signals are translated into insights, detections, and
recommended responses to advanced threats. These analytics leverage big data, device
learning, and unique Microsoft optics across the Windows ecosystem, enterprise cloud
products such as Microsoft 365⁹, and online assets.

• Threat intelligence: Microsoft processes over 43 trillion security signals every 24 hours,
yielding a deep and broad view into the evolving threat landscape. Combined with our
global team of security experts and cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning,
we can see threats that others miss. This threat intelligence helps provide unparalleled
protection for our customers. The protections built into our platforms and products blocked
attacks that include 31 billion identity threats and 32 billion email threats.

Table of Contents | Introduction | Hardware Security | Operating System Security | Application Security 33
Identity | Privacy | Cloud Services | Security Foundation | Conclusion
• Rich response capabilities: Defender for Endpoint empowers SecOps teams to isolate,
remediate, and remote into machines to further investigate and stop active threats in their
environment, as well as block files, network destinations, and create alerts for them. In
addition, Automated Investigation and Remediation can help reduce the load on the SOC
by automatically performing otherwise manual steps towards remediation and providing
detailed investigation outcomes.

Defender for Endpoint is also part of Microsoft 365 Defender, our end-to-end, cloud-native
extended detection and response (XDR) solution that combines best-of-breed endpoint,
email, and identity security products. It enables organizations to prevent, detect, investigate,
and remediate attacks by delivering deep visibility, granular context, and actionable insights
generated from raw signals harnessed across the Microsoft 365 environment and other
platforms, all synthesized into a single dashboard. This solution offers tremendous value to
organizations of any size, especially those that are looking to break away from the added
complexity of multiple point solutions, keeping them protected from sophisticated attacks
and saving IT and security teams’ time and resources.

Learn more: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint

Learn more: Microsoft 365 Defender

35
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly AAD) Microsoft Azure Attestation Service Universal Print
Protecting your Protecting your personal information
Modern Device Management (MDM) Windows Update for Business Microsoft OneDrive for Business
work information Microsoft Entrabaseline
ID (formerly AAD) Microsoft Azure Attestation Service Universal Print
personal informationFind my device
Cloud Protecting your Microsoft
Protecting yourAccount
− Microsoft Security Windows Autopatch − OneDrive for work or school
− ModernIntune
Microsoft Device Management (MDM) Windows Update for Business OneDrive for work or school
work information Windows Autopilot MDM enrollment certificate attestation User reauthentication before
Find my device
OneDrive for personal
Cloud
− Local Admin Password
− Microsoft solution
Security baseline Windows Autopatch MDM enrollment certificate attestation Microsoft Account
− Endpoint Privilege
− Microsoft Management
Intune Enterprise State Roaming with Azure password disablement OneDrive for OneDrive
personalPersonal Vault
− − Local
Remote Admin Password solution
Wipe Windows Autopilot User reauthentication before
− Endpoint Privilege Management Enterprise State Roaming with Azure password disablement OneDrive Personal Vault
− Remote Wipe

Passwordless sign-in Advanced credential protection Privacy

Passwordless sign-in Advanced credential protection Privacy
Window Hello Passkeys Microsoft Defender SmartScreen enhanced phishing protection Privacy dashboard and report
WindowWindow Hello Passkeyspresence sensing Privacy dashboard
Hello for Business Windows Microsoft DefenderAuthority
Local Security SmartScreen enhanced
(LSA) phishing protection
protection Privacy and report
transparency and controls
Window Hello for Business Windows presence sensing Privacy transparency and controls
Identity Windows Hello PIN FIDO support Local Security Authority (LSA) protection Privacy resource usage
Credential Guard
Identity Windows Hello PIN
Windows Hello biometric - fingerprint recognition
Windows Hello biometric - fingerprint recognition
FIDO support
Microsoft Authenticator app
Microsoft Authenticator app
Credential Guard
Remote Credential Guard
Privacy resource usage
Windows diagnostic data processor
Remote Credential Guard Windows diagnostic data processor
configuration
Windows Hello biometric - facial recognition Smart cards for Windows Service Token Protection
Windows Hello biometric - facial recognition Smart cards for Windows Service Token Protection configuration
Windows Hello biometric - enhanced sign-in security (ESS) Federated Sign-in Account Lockout
Windows Hello biometric - enhanced sign-in security (ESS) Federated Sign-in Account Lockout policypolicy
WindowWindow
Hello for Business
Hello multi-factor
for Business unlock
multi-factor unlock Access management and control
Access management and control

and and SmartApp

App Control
Smart App Control
Application
Application Application
Applicationisolation
isolation Win Win
32 app
32 isolation
app isolation
Application
Application driverdriver
control User
Control
control App ControlAccount
for Business
for Business
Control
AppApp
containers
containers
User Account Control Windows Sandbox
Microsoft
Microsoft vulnerable
vulnerable driver
driver blocklist
blocklist Windows Sandbox

Encryption and data protection Network security Virus and threat protection
Encryption and data protection Network security Virus and threat protection
BitLocker drive encryption Transport Layer Security (TLS) Windows Firewall Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Exploit protection
BitLocker drive encryption Transport Layer Security (TLS)security Windows Firewall Microsoft Defender SmartScreen
BitLocker To Go Domain Name System (DNS) Virtual Private Network (VPN) Microsoft Defender Antivirus ControlledExploit protection
folder access
BitLocker To Go Domain Name System (DNS) security Virtual PrivateBlock
Network
(SMB)(VPN) AttackMicrosoft Defender Antivirus Controlled
Device Encryption Bluetooth protection Server Message file surface reduction Microsoft Defender forfolder access
Endpoint
Device Encrypted
Encryptionhard drive Bluetooth
Securingprotection services
Server Message Block (SMB) file
Operating Attack surface reduction
Wi-Fi connections Tamper protection Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
services
Operating
Encrypted hard drive
Personal data encryption (PDE) Securing eSIM connections
5G and Wi-Fi Tamper protection
System Email
Personal dataencryption
encryption (PDE) 5G and eSIM
System Email encryption

System security Trusted Boot Code signing and integrity Kiosk Mode (aka Assigned Access)
Cryptography Device health attestation Config Refresh
System security Trusted Boot Code signing and integrity Kiosk Mode (aka Assigned Access)
Certificates Windows security policy settings and auditing Windows Security Settings
Cryptography Device health attestation Config Refresh
Certificates Windows security policy settings and auditing Windows Security Settings

Hardware root-of-trust Silicon-assisted security

Hardware Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 Secured kernel Secured-core PC
(Chip) Hardware root-of-trust
Microsoft Pluton security processor Silicon-assisted security − Firmware protection

Hardware
Hardware-enforced stack protection − Secured-core configuration lock
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 Secured
Kernel Direct kernel
Memory Access (DMA) protection Secured-core PC
(Chip)
− Firmware protection
Microsoft Pluton security processor Hardware-enforced stack protection − Secured-core configuration lock
Kernel Direct Memory Access (DMA) protection
Offensive research Certification Secure supply chain
Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
Security Foundation
Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL)
OneFuzz service
Offensive research Certification
Common Criteria certifications (CC) Windows application
Secure software
supply development kit (SDK)
chain
Microsoft Offensive Research and Security Engineering (MORSE)
Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
Security Foundation
Microsoft Security
Windows Development
Insiders Lifecycle
and Bug Bounty (SDL)
program
OneFuzz service Common Criteria certifications (CC) Windows application software development kit (SDK)
Microsoft Offensive Research and Security Engineering (MORSE)
Windows Insiders and Bug Bounty program

Cybercriminals can take advantage of poorly secured applications to access valuable

resources. With Windows 11, IT admins can combat common application attacks from the
moment a device is provisioned. For example, IT can remove local admin rights from user
accounts so that PCs run with the least amount of privileges to prevent malicious applications
from accessing sensitive resources.

In addition, organizations can control which applications run on their devices with App
Control for Business (previously called Windows Defender Application Control).

Application and driver control

Windows 11 offers a rich application platform with layers of security like isolation and code
integrity that help protect your valuable data. Developers can also take advantage of these
capabilities to build in security from the ground up to protect against breaches and malware.

Smart App Control

Smart App Control prevents users from running malicious applications on Windows devices
by blocking untrusted or unsigned applications. Smart App Control goes beyond previous
built-in browser protections by adding another layer of security that is woven directly into
the core of the OS at the process level. Using AI, our new Smart App Control only allows
processes to run if they are predicted to be safe based on existing and new intelligence
updated daily.

Table of Contents | Introduction | Hardware Security | Operating System Security | Application Security 36
Identity | Privacy | Cloud Services | Security Foundation | Conclusion
Smart App Control builds on top of the same cloud-based AI used in App Control for
Business to predict the safety of an application so that users can be confident that their
applications are safe and reliable on their new Windows devices. Additionally, Smart App
Control blocks unknown script files and macros from the web are blocked, greatly improving
security for everyday users.

Smart App Control will ship with new devices with Windows 11, version 22H2 installed.
Devices running previous versions of Windows 11 will have to be reset with a clean installation
of Windows 11, version 22H2 to take advantage of this feature. Smart App Control will be
disabled on devices enrolled in enterprise management. We suggest enterprises running line-
of-business applications continue to leverage App Control for Business.

Learn more: Smart App Control

App Control for Business

Your organization is only as secure as the applications that run on your devices. With
application control, apps must earn trust to run, in contrast to an application trust model
where all code is assumed trustworthy. By helping prevent unwanted or malicious code
from running, application control is an important part of an effective security strategy. Many
organizations cite application control as one of the most effective means of defending
against executable file-based malware.

Windows 10 and above include App Control for Business (previously called Windows
Defender Application Control) as well as AppLocker. App Control for Business is the next-
generation app control solution for Windows and provides powerful control over what runs
in your environment. Customers who were using AppLocker on previous versions of Windows
can continue to use the feature as they consider whether to switch to App Control for
Business for stronger protection.

Customers using Microsoft Intune⁹ to manage their devices are now able to configure App
Control for Business in the admin console, including setting up Intune as a managed installer.

Customers can use some built-in options for App Control for Business or upload their own
policy as an XML file for Intune to package and deploy.

Learn more: Application Control for Windows

User Account Control

User Account Control (UAC) helps prevent malware from damaging a PC and enables
organizations to deploy a better-managed desktop. With UAC, apps and tasks always run
in the security context of a non-administrator account unless an administrator specifically
authorizes administrator-level access to the system. UAC can block the automatic installation
of unauthorized apps and prevent inadvertent changes to system settings.

Enabling UAC helps prevent malware from altering PC settings and potentially gaining access
to networks and sensitive data. UAC can also block the automatic installation of unauthorized
apps and prevent inadvertent changes to system settings.

Users with standard accounts, or those using administrative accounts with UAC enabled,
run most programs with limited access rights. This includes the Windows shell and any apps
started from the shell, such as Windows Explorer, a web browser, productivity suite, graphics
programs, or games.

Some apps require additional permissions and will not work properly (or at all) when running
with limited permissions. When an app needs to run with more than standard user rights,
UAC allows users to run apps with a “full” administrator token (with administrative groups
and privileges) instead of their default user access token. Users continue to operate in
the standard user security context while enabling certain executables to run with elevated
privileges if needed.

Microsoft vulnerable driver blocklist

The Windows kernel is the most privileged software and is therefore a compelling target
for malware authors. Since Windows has strict requirements for code running in the kernel,
cybercriminals commonly exploit vulnerabilities in kernel drivers to get access. Microsoft
works with ecosystem partners to constantly identify and respond to potentially vulnerable
kernel drivers. Prior to the Windows 11 2022 Update, Windows enforced a block policy when
hypervisor-protected code integrity (HVCI) was enabled to prevent vulnerable versions of
drivers from running. Beginning with the Windows 11 2022 Update, the block policy is now
on by default for all new Windows PCs, and users can opt in to enforce the policy from the
Windows Security app.

Learn more: Microsoft recommended driver block rules

Win32 app isolation is a new security feature in public preview designed to be the default
isolation standard on Windows clients. It is built on AppContainer, and offers several
added security features to help the Windows platform defend against attacks that leverage
vulnerabilities in applications or third-party libraries. To isolate their apps, developers can
update their applications using the tools provided by Microsoft.

Win32 app isolation follows a two-step process. In the first step, the Win32 application is
launched as a low-integrity process using AppContainer, which is recognized as a security
boundary by Microsoft. Consequently, the process is limited to a specific set of Windows APIs
by default and is unable to inject code into any process operating at a higher integrity level.

In the second step, least privilege is enforced by granting authorized access to Windows
securable objects. This access is determined by capabilities that are added to the application
manifest through MSIX packaging. Securable objects in this context refer to Windows
resources whose access is safeguarded by capabilities. These capabilities enable the
implantation of a Discretionary Access Control List on Windows.

To help ensure that isolated applications run smoothly, developers must define the access
requirements for the application via access capability declarations in the application package
manifest. The Application Capability Profiler (ACP) simplifies the entire process by allowing
the application to run in “learn mode” with low privileges. Instead of denying access if the
capability is not present, ACP allows access and logs additional capabilities required for
access if the application were to run isolated. For more information on ACP, please refer to
the GitHub documentation page.

To create a smooth user experience that aligns with non-isolated, native Win32 applications,
two key factors should be taken into consideration:
• Approaches for accessing data and privacy information
• Integrating Win32 apps for compatibility with other Windows interfaces

The first factor relates to implementing methods to manage access to files and privacy
information within and outside the isolation boundary (AppContainer). The second factor
involves integrating Win32 apps with other Windows interfaces in a way that helps enable
seamless functionality without causing perplexing user consent prompts.

Learn more: Win32 app isolation

Windows Sandbox provides a lightweight desktop environment to safely run untrusted

Win32 applications in isolation using the same hardware-based Hyper-V virtualization
technology without fear of lasting impact to the PC. Any untrusted Win32 app installed in
Windows Sandbox stays only in the sandbox and cannot affect the host.

Once Windows Sandbox is closed, nothing persists on the device. All the software with all its
files and state are permanently deleted after the untrusted Win32 application is closed.

Learn more: Windows Sandbox

Learn more: Windows Sandbox is a new lightweight desktop environment tailored for safely
running applications in isolation

App containers

In addition to Windows Sandbox for Win32 apps, Universal Windows Platform (UWP)
applications run in Windows containers known as app containers. App containers act as
process and resource isolation boundaries, but unlike Docker containers, these are special
containers designed to run Windows applications.

Processes that run in app containers operate at a low integrity level, meaning they have
limited access to resources they do not own. Because the default integrity level of most
resources is medium integrity level, the UWP app can access only a subset of the file system,
registry, and other resources. The app container also enforces restrictions on network
connectivity. For example, access to a local host is not allowed. As a result, malware or
infected apps have limited footprint for escape.

Learn more: Windows and app containers

42
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly AAD) Microsoft Azure Attestation Service Universal Print
Protecting your Protecting your personal information
Modern Device Management (MDM) Windows Update for Business Microsoft OneDrive for Business
work information Microsoft Entra ID (formerly AAD) Microsoft Azure Attestation Service Universal Printfor work or school Find my device
Cloud Microsoft Account
− Microsoft Security baseline
Protecting your Windows Autopatch − OneDrive
Protecting your personal information
− Modern
Microsoft Device Management (MDM)
Intune Windows Update for Business OneDrive for work or school OneDrive for personal
work information − Local− Admin
Microsoft Securitysolution
Password Windows Autopilot MDM enrollment certificate attestation User reauthentication before
Find my device
Cloud Microsoft Account
baseline Windows Autopatch MDM enrollment certificate attestation
− Endpoint Privilege
− Microsoft Management
Intune Enterprise State Roaming with Azure password disablement OneDrive Personal Vault
− Remote WipeAdmin Password solution
− Local Windows Autopilot User reauthentication before OneDrive for personal
− Endpoint Privilege Management Enterprise State Roaming with Azure password disablement OneDrive Personal Vault
− Remote Wipe

Passwordless sign-in Advanced credential protection Privacy

Passwordless sign-in
Window Hello Passkeys Advanced credential protection PrivacyPrivacy dashboard and report
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen enhanced phishing protection
Window
Window Hello forHello
Business Passkeys
Windows presence sensing Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Privacy dashboard and report and controls
Local Security Authority (LSA)enhanced phishing protection
protection Privacy transparency
Windows
supportpresence sensing
Identity WindowsWindow Hello for Business
Hello PIN FIDO Local Security Guard
Authority (LSA) protection Privacy transparency and controls
Credential Privacy resource usage
Identity WindowsWindows Hello PIN
Hello biometric - fingerprint recognition
Windows Hello biometric - fingerprint recognition
FIDO support
Microsoft Authenticator app
Microsoft Authenticator app
Credential Guard
Remote Credential Guard
Privacy resource usage
Windows diagnostic data processor
Windows Hello biometric - facial recognition Smart cards for Windows Service Remote Credential Guard Windowsconfiguration
diagnostic data processor
Windows Hello biometric - facial recognition Smart cards for Windows Service Token Protection configuration
Windows Hello biometric - enhanced sign-in security (ESS) Federated Sign-in Token Protection
Windows Hello biometric - enhanced sign-in security (ESS) Federated Sign-in Account Lockout policy
Account Lockout policy
Window Hello for Business multi-factor unlock
Window Hello for Business multi-factor unlock Access management and control
Access management and control

Application and andSmart App

Application SmartControl
App Control
Application isolation
Application isolation Win
Win 32 32
appapp isolation
isolation
Application
Application driver control
driver control
App Control
User
for Business
App Control
Account
for Business
Control
User Account Control
App
App containers
containers
Microsoft vulnerable Windows
Windows Sandbox
Sandbox
Microsoft vulnerable driverdriver blocklist
blocklist

Encryption and data protection Network security Virus and threat protection
Encryption and data protection Network security Virus and threat protection
BitLocker drive encryption Transport Layer Security (TLS) Windows Firewall Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Exploit protection
BitLockerBitLocker
drive encryption Transport Layer Security (TLS) Windows Firewall Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Exploit protection
To Go Domain Name System (DNS) security Virtual Private Network (VPN) Microsoft Defender Antivirus Controlled folder access
BitLockerDevice
To Go Encryption Domain Name System (DNS) security Virtual Private Network (VPN) Microsoft
Bluetooth protection Server Message Block (SMB) file Attack surface Defender
reduction Antivirus Controlled folder access
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Device Encryption Bluetooth protection Server
servicesMessage Block (SMB) file Attack surface reduction
Operating Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Encrypted hard drive Securing Wi-Fi connections Tamper protection
services
Operating
EncryptedPersonal
hard drive
data encryption (PDE) Securing Wi-Fi
5G and eSIMconnections Tamper protection
System Personal Email
data encryption
encryption (PDE) 5G and eSIM
System Email encryption

Hardware root-of-trust Silicon-assisted security

Hardware Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 Secured kernel Secured-core PC
Hardware root-of-trust Silicon-assisted security
(Chip)
− Firmware protection

Hardware
Microsoft Pluton security processor Hardware-enforced stack protection − Secured-core configuration lock
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 Secured
Kernel kernel
Direct Memory Access (DMA) protection Secured-core PC
(Chip)
− Firmware protection
Microsoft Pluton security processor Hardware-enforced stack protection − Secured-core configuration lock
Kernel Direct Memory Access (DMA) protection

Offensive research Certification Secure supply chain

Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
Security Foundation
Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL)
Offensive research
OneFuzz service Certification
Common Criteria certifications (CC) Secure
Windows supply
application chain
software development kit (SDK)
Microsoft Offensive Research and Security Engineering (MORSE)
Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
Security Foundation
MicrosoftWindows
SecurityInsiders
Development
and BugLifecycle (SDL)
Bounty program
OneFuzz service Common Criteria certifications (CC) Windows application software development kit (SDK)
Microsoft Offensive Research and Security Engineering (MORSE)
Windows Insiders and Bug Bounty program

Today’s flexible workstyles and the security of your organization depend on secure access
to corporate resources, including strong identity protection. Weak or reused passwords,
password spraying, social engineering, and phishing are some of the top attack vectors. In
the last 12 months, we saw an average of more than 4,000 password attacks per second.11
And phishing threats have increased, making identity a continuous battleground. As Bret
Arsenault, Chief Information Security Officer at Microsoft says, “Hackers don’t break in, they
log in.”

Because threats are constantly evolving and often difficult for employees to detect,
organizations need proactive protection, including effortlessly secure authentication and
features that defend users in real time while they work. Windows 11 is designed with
powerful identity protection from chip to cloud, keeping identities and personal and business
data safe anywhere people work.

Enabling passwordless sign-in

Passwords are inconvenient to use and prime targets for cybercriminals—and they’ve been
an important part of digital security for years. That changes with the passwordless protection
available with Windows 11. After a secure authorization process, credentials are protected
behind layers of hardware and software security, giving users secure, passwordless access to
their apps and cloud services.

Something
New Not
I can
Password secure
remember

Windows Hello

Too often, passwords are weak, stolen, or forgotten. Organizations are moving toward
passwordless sign-in to reduce the risk of breaches, lower the cost of managing passwords,
and improve productivity and satisfaction for their employees and customers. Microsoft is
committed to helping customers move toward a secure, passwordless future with Windows
Hello, a cornerstone of Windows security and identity protection.

Windows Hello can enable passwordless sign-in using biometric or PIN verification and
provides built-in support for the FIDO2 passwordless industry standard. As a result, people
no longer need to carry external hardware like a security key for authentication.

The secure, convenient sign-in experience can augment or replace passwords with a
stronger authentication model based on a PIN or biometric data such as facial or fingerprint
recognition secured by the Trusted Platform Module (TPM). Step-by-step guidance makes
setup easy.

Using asymmetric keys provisioned in the TPM, Windows Hello protects authentication by
binding a user’s credentials to their device. Windows Hello validates the user based on either
a PIN or biometrics match and only then allows the use of cryptographic keys bound to that
user in the TPM.

PIN and biometric data stay on the device and cannot be stored or accessed externally. Since
the data cannot be accessed by anyone without physical access to the device, credentials are
protected against replay attacks, phishing, and spoofing as well as password reuse and leaks.

Windows Hello for Business

Windows Hello for Business extends Windows Hello to work with an organization’s Active
Directory⁹ and Microsoft Entra ID⁹ accounts. It provides single sign-on access to work or
school resources such as OneDrive for Business, work email, and other business apps.
Windows Hello for Business also give IT admins the ability to manage PIN and other sign-in
requirements for devices connecting to work or school resources.

Windows Hello for Business Passwordless

Windows 11 devices with Windows Hello for Business can protect user identities by removing
the need to use passwords from day one.

IT can now set a policy for Microsoft Entra ID⁹ joined machines so users no longer see the
option to enter a password when accessing company resources.12 Once the policy is set,
passwords are removed from the Windows user experience, both for device unlock as well as
in-session authentication scenarios via CredUI. However, passwords are not eliminated from
the identity directory yet. Users are expected to navigate through their core authentication
scenarios using strong, phish-resistant, possession-based credentials like Windows Hello
for Business and FIDO2 security keys. If necessary, users can leverage passwordless recovery
mechanisms such as Windows Hello for Business PIN reset or Web Sign-in.

During a device’s lifecycle, a password may only need to be used once during the
provisioning process. After that, people can use a PIN, face, or fingerprint to unlock
credentials and sign into the device.

Provisioning methods include:

• Temporary Access Pass (TAP), a time-limited passcode with strong authentication

requirements issued through Microsoft Entra ID⁹.

• Existing multifactor authentication with Microsoft Entra ID⁹, including authentication

methods like the Microsoft Authenticator app.

Windows Hello for Business replaces the username and password by combining a security
key or certificate with a PIN or biometric data and then mapping the credentials to a user
account during setup. There are multiple ways to deploy Windows Hello for Business
depending on an organization’s needs. Organizations that rely on certificates typically use
on-premises public key infrastructure (PKI) to support authentication through Certificate
Trust. Organizations using key trust deployment require root-of-trust provided by certificates
on domain controllers.

Table of Contents | Introduction | Hardware Security | Operating System Security | Application Security 45
Identity | Privacy | Cloud Services | Security Foundation | Conclusion
Organizations with hybrid scenarios can eliminate the need for on-premises domain
controllers and simplify passwordless adoption by using Windows Hello for Business cloud
Kerberos trust.13 This solution uses security keys and replaces on-premises domain controllers
with a cloud-based root-of-trust. As a result, organizations can take advantage of Windows
Hello for Business and deploy passwordless security keys with minimal additional setup or
infrastructure.

Users will authenticate directly with Microsoft Entra ID⁹, helping speed access to on- premises
applications and other resources.

Learn more: Windows Hello for Business overview

Windows Hello PIN

The Windows Hello PIN, which can only be entered by someone with physical access to
the device, can be used for strong multifactor authentication. The PIN is protected by the
TPM and, like biometric data, never leaves the device. When a user enters their PIN, an
authentication key is unlocked and used to sign a request sent to the authenticating server.

The TPM protects against threats including PIN brute-force attacks on lost or stolen devices.
After too many incorrect guesses, the device locks. IT admins can set security policies for
PINs, such as complexity, length, and expiration requirements.

Windows Hello biometric sign-in

Windows Hello biometric sign-in enhances both security and productivity with a quick,
convenient sign-in experience. There’s no need to enter a password every time when a face
or fingerprint is the credential.

Windows devices that support biometric hardware such as fingerprint or facial recognition
cameras integrate directly with Windows Hello, enabling access to Windows client resources
and services. Biometric readers for both face and fingerprint must comply with Microsoft
Windows Hello biometric requirements. Windows Hello facial recognition is designed to only
authenticate from trusted cameras used at the time of enrollment.

If a peripheral camera is attached to the device after enrollment, that camera will only be
allowed for facial authentication after it has been validated by signing in with the internal
camera. For additional security, external cameras can be disabled for use with Windows Hello
facial recognition.

Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security

Windows Hello biometrics also supports Enhanced Sign-in Security, which uses specialized
hardware and software components to raise the security bar even higher for biometric sign-in.

These specialized components protect against a class of attacks that includes biometric
sample injection, replay, and tampering. For example, fingerprint readers must implement
Secure Device Connection Protocol, which uses key negotiation and a Microsoft-issued
certificate to protect and securely store user authentication data. For facial recognition,
components such as the Secure Devices (SDEV) table and process isolation with trustlets help
prevent additional attack classes.

Enhanced Sign-in Security is configured by device manufacturers during the manufacturing

process and is most typically supported in Secured-core PCs. For facial recognition, Enhanced
Sign-in Security is supported by specific silicon and camera combinations—please check with
the specific device manufacturer. Fingerprint authentication is available across all processor
types. Please reach out to specific OEMs for support details.

Learn more: Windows Hello Enhanced Sign-in Security

Windows Hello for Business multi-factor unlock

For organizations that need an extra layer of sign-in security, multi-factor unlock enables
IT admins to configure Windows by requiring a combination of two unique trusted signals
to sign in. Trusted signal examples include a PIN or biometric data (face or fingerprint)
combined with either a PIN, Bluetooth, IP configuration, or Wi-Fi.

Multi-factor unlock is useful for organizations who need to prevent information workers
from sharing credentials or need to comply with regulatory requirements for a two-factor
authentication policy.

Learn more: Multi-factor unlock

Windows presence sensing

Windows presence sensing14 provides another layer of data security protection for hybrid
workers. Windows 11 devices can intelligently adapt to a user’s presence to help them stay
secure and productive, whether they’re working at home, the office, or a public environment.

Windows presence sensing combines presence detection sensors with Windows Hello facial
recognition to sign the user in hands-free and automatically locks the device when the
user leaves. With adaptive dimming, the PC dims the screen when the user looks away on
compatible devices with presence sensors. It’s also easier than ever to configure presence
sensors on devices, with easy enablement in the out-of-the-box experience and new links
in Settings to help find presence sensing features. Device manufacturers will be able to
customize and build extensions for the presence sensor.

Privacy is top of mind and more important than ever. Customers want to have greater
transparency and control over the use of their information. We are pleased to announce
new app privacy settings that enable users to allow or block access to their presence sensor
information. Users can decide on these settings during the initial Windows 11 setup.

Users can also take advantage of more granular settings to easily enable and disable
differentiated presence sensing features like wake on approach, lock on leave, and adaptive
dimming. We are also supporting developers with new APIs for presence sensing for third-
party applications. Third-party applications can now access user presence information on
devices with modern presence sensors.

Learn more: Presence sensing

Learn more: Managing presence sensing settings in Windows 11

FIDO support

The FIDO Alliance, the Fast Identity Online industry standards body, was established to
promote authentication technologies and standards that reduce reliance on passwords. FIDO
Alliance and World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) have worked together to define the Client
to Authenticator Protocol (CTAP2) and Web Authentication (WebAuthn) specifications, which
are the industry standard for providing strong, phishing-resistant, user friendly, and privacy
preserving authentication across the web and apps. FIDO standards and certifications are
becoming recognized as the leading standard for creating secure authentication solutions
across enterprises, governments, and consumer markets.

Windows 11 can also use passkeys from external FIDO2 security keys for authentication
alongside or in addition to Windows Hello and Windows Hello for Business, which is also
a FIDO2-certified passwordless solution. As a result, Windows 11 can be used as a FIDO
authenticator for many popular identity management services.

Learn more: Passwordless security key sign-in

Passkeys

Windows 11 makes it much harder for hackers who exploit stolen passwords via phishing
attacks by empowering users to replace passwords with passkeys. Passkeys are the cross-
platform future of secure sign-in. Microsoft and other technology leaders are supporting
passkeys across their platforms and services.

A passkey is a unique, unguessable cryptographic secret that is securely stored on the device.
Instead of using a username and password to sign in to a website or application, Windows

Passkeys on Windows 11 will be protected by Windows Hello or Windows Hello for Business.
This enables users to sign in to the site or app using their face, fingerprint, or device PIN.
Passkeys on Windows work in any browser or app that supports them for sign in. Users will
be able to manage passkeys on their device on Windows 11 account settings.

Learn more: Passkeys (passkey authentication)

Microsoft Authenticator

The Microsoft Authenticator app, which runs on iOS and Android devices, helps keep
Windows 11 users secure and productive. Microsoft Authenticator can be used to bootstrap
Windows Hello for Business, which removes the need for a password to get started on
Windows 11.

Microsoft Authenticator also enables easy, secure sign-in for all online accounts using
multifactor authentication, passwordless phone sign-in, or password autofill. The accounts in
the Authenticator app are secured with a public/private key pair in hardware-backed storage
such as the Keychain in iOS and Keystore on Android. IT admins can leverage different tools
to nudge their users to setup the Authenticator app, provide them with extra context about
where the authentication is coming from, and ensure that they are actively using it.

Individual users can back up their credentials to the cloud by enabling the encrypted backup
option in settings. They can also see their sign-in history and security settings for Microsoft
personal, work, or school accounts.

Using this secure app for authentication and authorization enables people to be in control of
how, where, and when their credentials are used. To keep up with an ever-changing security
landscape, the app is constantly updated, and new capabilities are added to stay ahead of
emerging threat vectors.

Learn more: Microsoft Authenticator

Smart cards for Windows service

Organizations also have the option of using smart cards, an authentication method that
predates biometric authentication. Smart cards are tamper-resistant, portable storage devices
that can enhance Windows security when authenticating users, signing code, securing e-mail,
and signing in with Windows domain accounts.

Smart cards provide:

• Ease of use in scenarios such as healthcare where employees need to sign in and out
quickly without using their hands or when sharing a workstation.

• Portability of credentials and other private information between computers at work, home,
or on the road

Smart cards can only be used to sign in to domain accounts or Microsoft Entra ID accounts.
When a password is used to sign in to a domain account, Windows uses the Kerberos
Version 5 (V5) protocol for authentication. If you use a smart card, the operating system uses
Kerberos V5 authentication with X.509 V3 certificates. On Microsoft Entra ID joined devices, a
smart card can be used with Entra ID certificate-based authentication. Smart cards cannot be
used with local accounts.

Learn more: Smart Card technical reference

Federated sign-in

Windows 11 supports federated sign-in with external education identity management

services. For students unable to type easily or remember complex passwords, this capability
enables secure sign-in through methods like QR codes or pictures. Additionally, we have
added shared device support. It allows multiple students (one at a time) to use the device
throughout the school day.

Learn more: Configure federated sign-in for Windows devices

Advanced credential protection

In addition to adopting passwordless sign-in, organizations can strengthen security for user
and domain credentials in Windows 11 with Credential Guard and Remote Credential Guard.

Enhanced phishing protection with Microsoft Defender SmartScreen

As malware protection and other safeguards evolve, cybercriminals look for new ways to
circumvent security measures. Phishing has emerged as a leading threat, with apps and
websites designed to steal credentials by tricking people into voluntarily entering passwords.
As a result, many organizations are transitioning to the ease and security of passwordless
sign-in with Windows Hello or Windows Hello for Business.

However, people who are still using passwords can also benefit from powerful credential
protection in Windows 11. Microsoft Defender SmartScreen now includes enhanced phishing
protection to automatically detect when a user’s Microsoft password is entered into any app
or website. Windows then identifies if the app or site is securely authenticating to Microsoft
and warns if the credentials are at risk. Because the user is alerted at the moment of potential
credential theft, they can take preemptive action before the password is used against them or
their organization.

Local Security Authority (LSA) protection

Windows has several critical processes to verify a user’s identity. Verification processes
include Local Security Authority (LSA), which is responsible for authenticating users and
verifying Windows sign-ins. LSA handles tokens and credentials that are used for single sign-
on to a Microsoft account and Azure services.⁹

To help keep these credentials safe, additional LSA protection will be enabled by default
on new, enterprise-joined Windows 11 devices. By loading only trusted, signed code, LSA
provides significant protection against credential theft. LSA protection also now supports
configuration using Group Policy and modern device management.

Learn more: Configuring additional LSA protection

Credential Guard

Enabled by default in Windows 11 Enterprise, Credential Guard uses hardware-backed,

virtualization-based security (VBS) to protect against credential theft. With Credential Guard,
the Local Security Authority (LSA) stores and protects Active Directory (AD) secrets in an
isolated environment that is not accessible to the rest of the operating system. LSA uses
remote procedure calls to communicate with the isolated LSA process.

By protecting the LSA process with virtualization-based security, Credential Guard shields
systems from credential theft attack techniques like Pass-the-Hash or Pass-the-Ticket. It also
helps prevent malware from accessing system secrets even if the process is running with
admin privileges.

Learn more: Protect derived domain credentials with Credential Guard

Remote Credential Guard

Remote Credential Guard helps organizations protect credentials over a Remote Desktop
connection by redirecting the Kerberos requests back to the device that is requesting the
connection. It also provides single sign-on experiences for Remote Desktop sessions.

Administrator credentials are highly privileged and must be protected. When Remote
Credential Guard is configured and enabled to connect during Remote Desktop sessions, the
credential and credential derivatives are never passed over the network to the target device.
If the target device is compromised, the credentials are not exposed.

Learn more: Remote Credential Guard - Windows Security | Microsoft Learn

Remote Desktop connection to a server without Remote

Credential Guard

• Credentials are sent to the server.

• Credentials are not protected from
attackers on the remote host.
• Attacker can continue to use
Single-Sign-on credentials after disconnection.
Kerberos
NTLM
Access to services from server
Pass-the-hash
Prevent use of credentials after disconnection = Credentials

The following diagrams help demonstrate how Windows Defender Remote Credential
Guard works, what it helps to protect against, and compares it with the Restricted Admin
mode option:

Remote Desktop connection to a server with Windows

Defender Remote Credential Guard

• Credentials are protected by Remote

Credential Guard.
• Connect to other systems using single
sign-on.
Kerberos • Host must support Remote Credential
NTLM Guard.
Access to services from server
Pass-the-hash prevention
Prevention of credential use after disconnection

Restricted admin mode

• Credentials used are remote server local

admin credentials.
• Connect to other systems using the host’s
identity.
Kerberos • Host must support Restricted Admin mode
NTLM • Highest protection level provided.
Access to services from server • User account administrator rights are
Pass-the-hash prevention required.
Prevention of credential use after disconnection
= Credential protection
= Credentials

Token protection

Token protection attempts to reduce attacks using Microsoft Entra ID⁹ token theft. Token
protection makes tokens usable only from their intended device by cryptographically binding
a token with a device secret. When using the token, both the token and proof of the device
secret must be provided. Conditional Access policy can be configured to require token
protection when using sign-in tokens for specific services.

Learn more: Token protection in Entra ID Conditional Access

Sign-in session token protection policy

At the inaugural Microsoft Secure event in March 2023, we announced the public
preview of token protection for sign-ins. This feature allows applications and services
to cryptographically bind security tokens to the device, restricting attackers’ ability to
impersonate users on a different device if tokens are stolen.

Learn more: Conditional Access: Token protection (preview)

Account lockout policies

New devices with Windows 11 installed will have account lockout policies that are secure by
default. These policies will mitigate brute-force attacks such as hackers attempting to access
Windows devices via the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).

The account lockout threshold policy is now set to 10 failed sign-in attempts by default, with
the account lockout duration set to 10 minutes. The Allow Administrator account lockout is
now enabled by default. The Reset account lockout counter after is now set to 10 minutes by
default as well.

Learn more: Account lockout policy

Access management and control

Access control in Windows ensures that shared resources are available to users and groups
other than the resource’s owner and are protected from unauthorized use. IT administrators
can manage users’, groups’, and computers’ access to objects and assets on a network or
computer. After a user is authenticated, the Windows operating system implements the
second phase of protecting resources by using built-in authorization and access control
technologies to determine if an authenticated user has the correct permissions.

Table of Contents | Introduction | Hardware Security | Operating System Security | Application Security 53
Identity | Privacy | Cloud Services | Security Foundation | Conclusion
Access Control Lists (ACLs) describe the permissions for a specific object and can also contain
System Access Control Lists (SACLs). SACLs provide a way to audit specific system level
events, such as when a user attempts to access file system objects. These events are essential
for tracking activity for objects that are sensitive or valuable and require extra monitoring.
Being able to audit when a resource attempts to read or write part of the operating system is
critical to understanding a potential attack.

IT administrators can refine the application and management of access to:

• Protect a greater number and variety of network resources from misuse.

• Provision users to access resources in a manner that is consistent with organizational

policies and the requirements of their jobs. Organizations can implement the principle of
least-privilege access, which asserts that users should be granted access only to the data
and operations they require to perform their jobs.

• Update users’ ability to access resources on a regular basis as an organization’s policies

change or as users’ jobs change.

• Support evolving workplace needs, including access from hybrid or remote locations, or
from a rapidly expanding array of devices, including tablets and mobile phones.

• Identify and resolve access issues when legitimate users are unable to access resources
that they need to perform their jobs.

Learn more: Access control

55
Privacy controls
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly AAD) Microsoft Azure Attestation Service Universal Print
Protecting youryour
Protecting
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly AAD) Microsoft Azure Attestation Service Universal Print Protecting
Protecting your personal
your personal information
information
Modern
ModernDevice Management
Device Management(MDM)
(MDM) WindowsUpdate
Windows Updateforfor Business
Business Microsoft
OneDrive OneDrive
for work or schoolfor Business
workwork
information
information Find my device
CloudCloud Microsoft Microsoft
Account Account
− Microsoft Security baseline WindowsAutopatch
Autopatch
−
− Microsoft
Microsoft
Security
Intune
baseline Windows MDM−enrollment
OneDrive for work or school
certificate attestation Find my device
OneDrive forOneDrive
personal for personal
− Microsoft Intune
− Local
− Admin
Local AdminPassword
Passwordsolution
solution WindowsAutopilot
Windows Autopilot MDM enrollment certificate attestation User reauthentication
User reauthentication before before
− Endpoint
− EndpointPrivilege
PrivilegeManagement
Management EnterpriseState
Enterprise State Roaming
Roaming with
with Azure
Azure passwordpassword disablement OneDrive Personal
disablement OneDrive
VaultPersonal Vault
− Remote
− RemoteWipe
Wipe

Passwordless
Passwordless sign-in
sign-in Advanced credential protection Privacy
Advanced credential protection Privacy
Window Hello Passkeys Microsoft Defender SmartScreen enhanced phishing protection Privacy dashboard and report
Window Hello Passkeys Microsoft Defender SmartScreen enhanced phishing protection Privacy dashboard and report
Window Hello for Business Windows presence sensing Local Security Authority (LSA) protection Privacy transparency and controls
Window Hello for Business Windows presence sensing Local Security Authority (LSA) protection Privacy transparency and controls
Identity Windows Hello PIN FIDO support Credential Guard Privacy resource usage
Identity Windows HelloHello
Windows
Windows
PIN biometric - fingerprint recognition
HelloHello
biometric - fingerprint recognition
FIDO support
Microsoft
Microsoft
Authenticator app
Authenticator app
Credential Guard
Remote Credential Guard
Privacy resource usage
Windows diagnostic data processor
Windows biometric - facial recognition Smart cards for Windows Service TokenRemote Credential Guard
Protection configurationWindows diagnostic data processor
Windows HelloHello
Windows biometric - facial
biometric recognition
- enhanced sign-in security (ESS) Smart cards
Federated for Windows Service
Sign-in Token Protection configuration
Account Lockout policy
Windows Hello
Window biometric
Hello - enhanced
for Business sign-in
multi-factor security (ESS)
unlock Federated Sign-in Account
Access Lockout
management policy
and control
Window Hello for Business multi-factor unlock Access management and control

Smart App Control

Application and Application isolation Win 32 app isolation
Application driver control
Application and
App Control for Business
Smart App Control
User Account Control Application isolationApp containers
Win 32 app isolation
Application driver control
AppMicrosoft
Control for Business
vulnerable
User Account Control
driver blocklist Windows Sandbox
App containers
Microsoft vulnerable driver blocklist Windows Sandbox

Encryption and data protection Network security Virus and threat protection
BitLocker drive encryption Transport Layer Security (TLS) Windows Firewall Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Exploit protection
Encryption and data protection
BitLocker To Go
Network security
Domain Name System (DNS) security Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Virus and threat protection
Microsoft Defender Antivirus Controlled folder access
BitLocker drive encryption
Device Encryption Transport
Bluetooth Layer Security (TLS)
protection Windows
Server Message Firewall
Block (SMB) file Microsoft
Attack surface Defender SmartScreen
reduction Exploit protection
Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
services
Operating Domain
BitLocker To Gohard drive
Encrypted SecuringName System (DNS) security
Wi-Fi connections Virtual Private Network (VPN) TamperMicrosoft
protectionDefender Antivirus Controlled folder access
DevicePersonal data encryption (PDE)
Encryption 5G and eSIM
Bluetooth protection Server Message Block (SMB) file Attack surface reduction Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
System Emailhard
encryption services
Operating
Encrypted drive Securing Wi-Fi connections Tamper protection
Personal data encryption (PDE) 5G and eSIM
System Email encryption
System security Trusted Boot Code signing and integrity Kiosk Mode (aka Assigned Access)
Cryptography Device health attestation Config Refresh
Certificates Windows security policy settings and auditing Windows Security Settings
System security Trusted Boot Code signing and integrity Kiosk Mode (aka Assigned Access)
Cryptography Device health attestation Config Refresh
Certificates Windows security policy settings and auditing Windows Security Settings
Hardware root-of-trust Silicon-assisted security
Hardware Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 Secured kernel Secured-core PC
(Chip)
− Firmware protection
Microsoft Pluton security processor Hardware-enforced stack protection − Secured-core configuration lock
Hardware root-of-trust Silicon-assisted
Kernel security
Direct Memory Access (DMA) protection
Hardware Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 Secured kernel Secured-core PC
(Chip)
− Firmware protection
Microsoft Pluton security processor Hardware-enforced stack protection − Secured-core configuration lock
Offensive research Certification Kernel Direct Memory Access (DMA) protection
Secure supply chain
Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
Security Foundation
Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL)
OneFuzz service Common Criteria certifications (CC) Windows application software development kit (SDK)
Microsoft Offensive Research and Security Engineering (MORSE)
Offensive
Windowsresearch
Insiders and Bug Bounty program Certification Secure supply chain
Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
Security Foundation
Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL)
OneFuzz service Common Criteria certifications (CC) Windows application software development kit (SDK)
Microsoft Offensive Research and Security Engineering (MORSE)
Windows Insiders and Bug Bounty program

Privacy: Your data, powering your experiences, controlled by you. Privacy is becoming
top of mind for customers, who want to know who is using their data and why. They also
need to know how to control and manage the data that is being collected—so providing
transparency and control over this personal data is essential. At Microsoft we are focused
on protecting the privacy and confidentiality of your data and will only use it in a way that is
consistent with your expectations.

Privacy dashboard and report

Customers can use the Microsoft Privacy dashboard to view, export, and delete their
information, giving them further transparency and control. They can also use the Microsoft
Privacy Report to learn more about Windows data collection and how to manage it. For
enterprises we provide a guide for Windows Privacy Compliance that includes additional
details on the available controls and transparency.

Privacy transparency and controls

Prominent system tray icons show users when resources and apps like microphones and
location are in use. A description of the app and its activity are presented in a simple tooltip
that appears when you hover over an icon with your cursor. Apps can also make use of new
Windows APIs to support Quick Mute functionality and more.

Every Microsoft customer should be able to use our products secure in the knowledge
that we will protect their privacy and give them the information and tools they need to
easily make privacy decisions with confidence. Accessed in Settings, the new app usage
history feature gives users a seven-day history of resource access for Location, Camera,
Microphone, Phone Calls, Messaging, Contacts, Pictures, Videos, Music library, Screenshots,
and other apps.

This information helps you determine if an app is behaving as expected so that you can
change the app’s access to resources as desired.

Windows diagnostic data processor configuration

The Windows diagnostic data processor configuration enables the user to be the controller,
as defined by the European Union General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), for the
Windows diagnostic data collected from Windows devices that meet the configuration
requirements.

Learn more: Windows diagnostic data processor configuration

58
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly AAD) Microsoft Azure Attestation Service Universal Print
Protecting Microsoft Entra ID (formerly AAD) Microsoft Azure Attestation Service Universal Print
Protecting your your Modern Device Management (MDM) Windows Update for Business OneDrive for work or school
Protecting your personal
Protecting information
your personal information
work information Modern Device Management (MDM) Windows Update for Business Microsoft OneDrive for Business
work information Find my device
Cloud Cloud
− Microsoft Security baseline Windows Autopatch MDM enrollment certificate attestation Microsoft Account
− Microsoft Security
− Microsoft baseline
Intune Windows Autopatch − OneDrive for work or school Microsoft Account Find my device
− Microsoft
− Local Intune
Admin Password solution Windows Autopilot User reauthentication before OneDrive for personal
Windows Autopilot MDM enrollment certificate attestation User
password reauthentication before
disablement
OneDrive for personal
− Local Admin Password
− Endpoint solution
Privilege Management Enterprise State Roaming with Azure OneDrive Personal Vault
− Endpoint
− RemotePrivilege
Wipe Management Enterprise State Roaming with Azure password disablement OneDrive Personal Vault
− Remote Wipe

Passwordless sign-in Advanced credential protection Privacy

Passwordless sign-in
Window Hello Passkeys Advanced
Microsoft Defendercredential
SmartScreenprotection
enhanced phishing protection Privacy
Privacy dashboard and report
WindowWindow
Hello Hello for Business Windows presence sensing
Passkeys Local Security Authority Privacy transparency and controls
Microsoft Defender(LSA) protectionenhanced phishing protection
SmartScreen Privacy dashboard and report
Identity WindowWindows
Hello forHello PIN
Business
Windows Hello biometric - fingerprint recognition
FIDO support
Windows presence sensing
Microsoft Authenticator app
Credential Guard Authority (LSA) protection
Local Security Privacy resource usage
Privacy transparency and controls

Identity Windows Hello PIN FIDO support Remote Credential Guard Windows diagnostic data processor
Privacy resource usage
Credential Guard
Windows Hello biometric - facial recognition Smart cards for Windows Service Token Protection configuration
Windows Hello biometric - fingerprint recognition Microsoft Authenticator app Remote Credential Guard Windows diagnostic data processor
Windows Hello biometric - enhanced sign-in security (ESS) Federated Sign-in Account Lockout policy
Windows Hello biometric - facial recognition Smart cards for Windows Service Token Protection configuration
Window Hello for Business multi-factor unlock Access management and control
Windows Hello biometric - enhanced sign-in security (ESS) Federated Sign-in Account Lockout policy
Window Hello for Business multi-factor unlock Access management and control

Smart App Control

Application and Application isolation Win 32 app isolation
Application driver control
App Control for Business
App containers
SmartUser
AppAccount
ControlControl
Application and Microsoft vulnerable driver blocklist Application isolation Windows
Win 32Sandbox
app isolation
Application driver control
App Control for Business
User Account Control
App containers
Microsoft vulnerable driver blocklist Windows Sandbox

System security Trusted Boot Code signing and integrity Kiosk Mode (aka Assigned Access)
Cryptography Device health attestation Config Refresh
Hardware root-of-trust
Certificates Silicon-assisted
Windows security policy settings and auditing security
Windows Security Settings
Hardware Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 Secured kernel Secured-core PC
(Chip)
− Firmware protection
Microsoft Pluton security processor Hardware-enforced stack protection − Secured-core configuration lock
Kernel Direct Memory Access (DMA) protection
Hardware root-of-trust Silicon-assisted security
Hardware Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 Secured kernel Secured-core PC
(Chip)
− Firmware protection
Microsoft Pluton security processor Hardware-enforced stack protection
Offensive research Certification Secure supply−chain
Secured-core configuration lock
Kernel Direct Memory Access (DMA) protection
Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
Security Foundation
Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL)
OneFuzz service Common Criteria certifications (CC) Windows application software development kit (SDK)
Microsoft Offensive Research and Security Engineering (MORSE)
Windows Insiders and Bug Bounty program
Offensive research Certification Secure supply chain
Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Software Bill of Materials (SBOM)
Security Foundation
Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL)
OneFuzz service Common Criteria certifications (CC) Windows application software development kit (SDK)
Microsoft Offensive Research and Security Engineering (MORSE)
Windows Insiders and Bug Bounty program

Today’s workforce has more freedom and mobility than ever before, but the risk of data
exposure is also at its highest. At Microsoft, we are focused on getting customers to the
cloud to benefit from modern hybrid workstyles while improving security management.
Built on Zero Trust principles, Windows 11 works with Microsoft cloud services to
safeguard sensitive information while controlling access and mitigating threats.

From identity and device management to Office apps and data storage, Windows 11 and
integrated cloud services can help improve productivity, security, and resilience anywhere.

Protecting your work information

Microsoft Entra ID

Microsoft Entra ID⁹ (formerly Azure Active Directory) is a comprehensive cloud-based

identity management solution that helps enable secure access to applications, networks,
and other resources and guard against threats. Microsoft Entra ID can also be used with
Windows Autopilot for zero-touch provisioning of devices preconfigured with corporate
security policies.

Organizations can deploy Microsoft Entra ID joined devices to enable access to both cloud
and on-premises apps and resources. Access to resources can be controlled based on
the Microsoft Entra ID account and Conditional Access policies applied to the device. By
registering devices with Microsoft Entra ID—also called Workplace joined—IT admins can

To provide more security and control for IT and a seamless experience for end users,
Microsoft Entra ID works with apps and services, including on-premises software and
thousands of software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications. Microsoft Entra ID protections include
single sign-on, multifactor authentication, conditional access policies, identity protection,
identity governance, and privileged identity management.

Windows 11 works with Microsoft Entra ID to provide secure access, identity management,
and single sign-on to apps and services from anywhere. Windows has built-in settings to add
work or school accounts by syncing the device configuration to an Active Directory domain
or Microsoft Entra ID tenant.

• Default managed user and device settings and policies

• Single sign-in to all Microsoft Online Services

• Full suite of authentication management capabilities using Windows Hello for Business

• Single sign-on (SSO) to enterprise and SaaS applications

• No use of consumer Microsoft Account identity

Organizations and users can join or register their Windows devices with Microsoft Entra ID to
get a seamless experience to both native and web applications. In addition, users can setup
Windows Hello for Business or FIDO2 security keys with Microsoft Entra ID and benefit from
greater security with passwordless authentication.

In combination with Microsoft Intune, Microsoft Entra ID offers powerful security control
through Conditional Access to restrict access to
organizational resources to healthy and compliant
devices. Note that Microsoft Entra ID is only supported Windows LAPS is available in
on Windows Pro and Enterprise editions. public preview to Microsoft
Entra ID joined and hybrid
Every Windows device has a built-in local administrator Microsoft Entra ID joined devices.
account that must be secured and protected to mitigate Additionally, Windows LAPS is
any Pass-the-Hash (PtH) and lateral traversal attacks. now built in to Windows with
Many customers have been using our standalone, Windows 10 20H2 and later,
on-premises Windows Local Administrator Password Windows 11 21H2 and later, and
Solution (LAPS) to manage their domain-joined Windows Windows Server 2019 and later
machines. We heard from many customers that LAPS using the most recent security
support was needed as they modernized their Windows update (released on April 11, 2023).
environment to join directly to Microsoft Entra ID.

Learn more: Windows Local Administrator Password Solution with Microsoft Entra (Azure AD)

Learn more: Microsoft Entra plans and pricing

Modern device management through (MDM)

Windows 11 supports modern device management through mobile device management

(MDM) protocols so that IT professionals can manage company security policies and business
applications without compromising user privacy on corporate or employee-owned devices.
With MDM solutions like Microsoft Intune⁹, IT can manage Windows 11 using industry-
standard protocols. To simplify setup for users, management features are built directly into
Windows, eliminating the need for a separate MDM client.

• The enrollment client, which enrolls and configures the device to securely communicate
with the enterprise device management server.

• The management client, which periodically synchronizes with the management server to
check for updates and apply the latest policies set by IT.

Learn more: Mobile device management overview

Microsoft security baselines

Every organization faces security threats. However, different organizations can be concerned
with different types of security threats. For example, an e-commerce company may focus on
protecting its internet-facing web apps, while a hospital may focus on protecting confidential
patient information. The one thing that all organizations have in common is a need to keep
their apps and devices secure. These devices must be compliant with the security standards
(or security baselines) defined by the organization.

Microsoft Security baseline

A security baseline is a group of Microsoft-recommended configuration settings that explains

their security implications. These settings are based on feedback from Microsoft security
engineering teams, product groups, partners, and customers.

Learn more: Windows security baselines you can deploy with Microsoft Intune

MDM security baseline

Windows 11 can be configured with Microsoft’s MDM security baseline backed by ADMX
policies, which functions like the Microsoft GP-based security baseline. The security baseline
enables IT administrators to easily address security concerns and compliance needs for
modern cloud-managed devices.

The security baseline includes policies for:

• Microsoft inbox security technology such as BitLocker, Microsoft Defender SmartScreen,

virtualization-based security, Exploit Guard, Microsoft Defender Antivirus,
and Windows Firewall.

• Restricting remote access to devices.

• Setting credential requirements for passwords and PINs.

• Restricting use of legacy technology.

Learn more: MDM security baseline

Microsoft Intune15 is a comprehensive endpoint management solution that helps secure,

deploy, and manage users, apps, and devices. Intune brings together technologies like
Microsoft Configuration Manager and Windows Autopilot to simplify provisioning,
configuration management, and software updates across the organization.

Intune works with Microsoft Entra ID to manage security features and processes, including
multifactor authentication.

Organizations can cut costs while securing and managing remote PCs through the cloud in
compliance with company policies.16 For example, organizations save time and money by
provisioning preconfigured devices to remote employees using Windows Autopilot for zero-
touch deployment.

Windows 11 enables IT professionals to move to the cloud while consistently enforcing security
policies. Windows 11 provides expanded support for Group Policy administrative templates
(ADMX-backed policies) in MDM solutions like Microsoft Intune, enabling IT professionals to
easily apply the same security policies to both on-premises and remote devices.

Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM): Intune Endpoint Privilege Management supports

organizations’ Zero Trust journeys by helping them achieve a broad user base running
with least privilege, while still permitting users to run tasks allowed by the organization to
remain productive.

Local Administrator Password (LAPs): Local Administrator Password solution was a key
consideration for many customers when deciding to make the transition from on-premises
to cloud-managed devices using Intune. With LAPS (available in preview), organizations
can automatically manage and back up the password of a local administrator account on
Microsoft Entra ID joined or hybrid Microsoft Entra ID joined devices.

Mobile Application Management (MAM): With Intune, organizations can also extend MAM
App Config, MAM App Protection, and App Protection Conditional Access capabilities to
Windows. This enables people to access protected organizational content without having the
device managed by IT. The first application to support MAM for Windows is Microsoft Edge.

Customers have asked for App Control for Business (previously called Windows Defender
Application Control) to manage Installer support for a long time. Now customers will be able
to enable allowlisting of Win32 apps within their enterprise to proactively reduce the number
of malware infections.

Finally, Config Refresh helps organizations move to cloud from on-premises by protecting
against settings deviating from the admin’s intent.

Learn more: Windows LAPS overview

With Intune, organizations can also extend MAM App Config, MAM App Protection, and
App Protection Conditional Access capabilities to Windows. This enables people to access
protected organizational content without having the device managed by IT. The first
application to support MAM for Windows is Microsoft Edge.

Learn more: What is Microsoft Intune

Remote Wipe

When a device is lost or stolen, IT administrators might want to remotely wipe data stored
in memory and hard disks. A helpdesk agent might also want to reset devices to fix issues
encountered by remote workers. A remote wipe can also be used to prepare a previously
used device for a new user.

Windows 11 supports the Remote Wipe configuration service provider (CSP) so that MDM
Solutions⁹ can remotely initiate any of the following operations:

• Reset the device and remove user accounts and data.

• Reset the device and clean the drive.
• Reset the device but persist user accounts and data.

Learn More: Remote Wipe CSP

Microsoft Azure Attestation Service

Remote attestation helps ensure that devices are compliant with security policies and are
operating in a trusted state before they are allowed to access resources. Microsoft Intune⁹
integrates with Microsoft Azure Attestation Service to review Windows device health
comprehensively and connect this information with Microsoft Entra ID⁹ Conditional Access.

Attestation policies are configured in the Microsoft Azure Attestation Service which can then:

• Verify the integrity of evidence provided by the Windows Attestation component by

validating the signature and ensuring the Platform Configuration Registers (PCRs) match
the values recomputed by replaying the measured boot log.

• Verify that the TPM has a valid Attestation Identity Key issued by the authenticated TPM.

• Verify that security features are in the expected states.

Once this verification is complete, the attestation service returns a signed report with
the security features state to the relying party—such as Microsoft Intune—to assess

Learn more: Azure Attestation overview

Windows Update for Business deployment service

The Windows Update for Business deployment service, a core component of the Windows
Update for Business product family, is a cloud-based solution that transforms the way update
management is handled. Complementing existing Windows Update for Business policies
and Windows Update for Business reports, the service provides control over the approval,
scheduling, and safeguarding of updates—delivered straight from Windows Update to
managed devices.

The Windows Update for Business deployment service powers Windows Update
management via Microsoft Intune⁹ and Autopatch. The deployment services currently allows
the management of drivers and firmware, expedited quality updates and feature updates.

For an in-depth understanding of this service, including its benefits and prerequisites for use,
practical guides on specific capabilities, Microsoft Graph training, and a behind-the-scenes
look at how the deployment service functions, read here.

Learn more: Windows Update for Business - Windows Deployment

Windows Autopatch

Cybercriminals often target outdated or unpatched software to gain access to networks.

Keeping endpoints up to date is critical in closing existing vulnerabilities, but planning,
monitoring, and reporting on update compliance can take IT resources away from other
important tasks.

Available as part of Windows Enterprise E3 and E5, Windows Autopatch automates update
management for Windows, drivers, firmware, Microsoft 365, Edge, and Teams apps. The
service can even manage the upgrade to Windows 11. While the service is designed to be
simple by default, admins can customize the service to reflect their business organization
with Autopatch groups. This allows custom content or deployment schedules to be applied
to different populations of devices.

From a technical standpoint, Windows Autopatch configures the policies and deployment
service of Windows Update for Business to deliver updates, all within Microsoft Intune.⁹ The
results for IT admins: up-to-date endpoints and detailed reports to demonstrate compliance
or help identify issues. The goal is to help IT teams be more secure and update more
efficiently with less effort.

There’s a lot more to learn about Windows Autopatch: this Forrester study commissioned by
Microsoft analyzes the impact of Windows Autopatch on real customers, regular IT pro blogs
provide updates and background on Autopatch features and the future of the service, and
Table of Contents | Introduction | Hardware Security | Operating System Security | Application Security 65
Identity | Privacy | Cloud Services | Security Foundation | Conclusion
the community allows IT professionals to get answers to questions from their peers and the
Autopatch team.

Learn more: Windows Autopatch documentation

Windows Autopilot and zero-touch deployment

Traditionally, IT professionals spend significant time building and customizing images that
will later be deployed to devices. Windows Autopilot introduces a new approach with a
collection of technologies used to set up and preconfigure new devices, getting them
ready for productive use and ensuring they are delivered locked down and compliant with
corporate security policies.

• From a user perspective, it only takes a few simple operations to get their device ready for use.

• From an IT professional perspective, the only interaction required from the end user is to
connect to a network and verify their credentials. Setup is automated after that point.

Windows Autopilot enables you to:

• Automatically join devices to Microsoft Entra ID⁹ or Active Directory⁹ via hybrid Microsoft
Entra ID Join. For more information about the differences between these two join options,
see Introduction to device management in Microsoft Entra ID.

• Auto-enroll devices into MDM services such as Microsoft Intune (requires an Microsoft
Entra ID Premium subscription for configuration).

• Automatic upgrade to Enterprise Edition if required.

• Restrict administrator account creation.

• Create and auto-assign devices to configuration groups based on a device’s profile.

• Customize Out of Box Experience (OOBE) content specific to the organization.

Existing devices can also be quickly prepared for a new user with Windows Autopilot Reset.
The reset capability is also useful in break/fix scenarios to quickly bring a device back to a
business-ready state.

Learn more: Windows Autopilot

Enterprise State Roaming with Azure

Available to any organization with a Microsoft Entra ID Premium⁹ or Enterprise Mobility +

Security (EMS)⁹ license, Enterprise State Roaming provides users with a unified Windows
Settings experience across their Windows devices and reduces the time needed for
configuring a new device.

Universal Print

Universal Print eliminates the need for on-premises print servers. It also eliminates the need
for print drivers from the users’ Windows devices and makes the devices secure, reducing
the malware attacks that typically exploit vulnerabilities in driver model. It enables Universal
Print-ready printers (with native support) to connect directly to the Microsoft Cloud. All major
printer OEMs have these models. It also supports existing printers by using the connector
software that comes with Universal Print.

Unlike traditional print solutions that rely on Windows print servers, Universal Print is a
Microsoft-hosted cloud subscription service that supports a Zero Trust security model
when using the Universal Print-ready printers. Customers can enable network isolation of
printers, including the Universal Print connector software, from the rest of the organization’s
resources. Users and their devices do not need to be on the same local network as the
printers or the Universal Print connector.

Universal Print supports Zero Trust security by requiring that:

• Each connection and API call to Universal Print cloud service requires authentication
validated by Microsoft Entra ID⁹. A hacker would have to have knowledge of the right
credentials to successfully connect to the Universal Print service.

• Every connection established by the user’s device (client), the printer, or another cloud
service to the Universal Print cloud service uses SSL with TLS 1.2 protection. This protects
network snooping of traffic to gain access to sensitive data.

• Each printer registered with Universal Print is created as a device object in the customer’s
Microsoft Entra ID tenant and issued its own device certificate. Every connection from the
printer is authenticated using this certificate. The printer can access only its own data and
no other device’s data.

• Applications can connect to Universal Print using either user, device, or application
authentication. To ensure data security, it is highly recommended that only cloud
applications use application authentication.

• Each acting application must register with Microsoft Entra ID and specify the set of
permission scopes it requires. Microsoft’s own acting applications—for example, the
Universal Print connector—are registered with the Microsoft Entra ID service. Customer
administrators need to provide their consent to the required permission scopes as part of
onboarding the application to their tenant.

• Each authentication with Microsoft Entra ID from an acting application cannot extend
the permission scope as defined by the acting client app. This prevents the app from
requesting additional permissions if the app is breached.

Table of Contents | Introduction | Hardware Security | Operating System Security | Application Security 67
Identity | Privacy | Cloud Services | Security Foundation | Conclusion
Additionally, Windows 11 and Windows 10 include MDM support to simplify printer setup
for users. With initial support from Microsoft Intune⁹, admins can now configure policies to
provision specific printers onto the user’s Windows devices.

Universal Print stores the print data in cloud securely in Office Storage, the same storage
used by other Microsoft Office products. More information about Universal Print data
residency and encryption can be found here.

More information about handling of Microsoft 365 data (this includes Universal Print data)
can be found here.

The Universal Print secure release platform ensures user privacy, secures organizational data,
and reduces print wastage. It eliminates the need for people to rush to a shared printer as
soon as they send a print job to ensure that no one sees the private or confidential content.
Sometimes, printed documents are picked up by another person or not picked up at all and
discarded. Detailed support and configuration information can be found here.

Universal Print has integrated with Administrative Units in Microsoft Entra ID to enable
customers to assign a Printer Administrator role to their local IT team in the same way
customers assign User Administrator or Groups Administrator roles. The local IT team
can configure only the printers that are part of the same Administrative Unit. Detailed
configuration information can be found here.

Learn more: Universal Print

For customers who want to stay on Print Servers, we recommend using the Microsoft IPP
Print driver. For features beyond what’s covered in the standard IPP driver, use Print Support
Applications (PSA) for Windows from the respective printer OEM.

Learn more: Print support app design guide

OneDrive for work or school

Data in OneDrive for work or school is protected both in transit and at rest.

When data transits either into the service from clients or between datacenters, it’s protected
using transport layer security (TLS) encryption. OneDrive only permits secure access.
Authenticated connections are not allowed over HTTP and instead redirect to HTTPS.

There are several ways that OneDrive for work or school is protected at rest:

• Physical protection: Microsoft understands the importance of protecting customer data

and is committed to securing the datacenters that contain it. Microsoft datacenters are
designed, built, and operated to strictly limit physical access to the areas where customer
data is stored. Physical security at datacenters is in alignment with the defense-in-depth
principle. Multiple security measures are implemented to reduce the risk of unauthorized
users accessing data and other datacenter resources. Learn more here.

• Application security: Engineers who build features follow the security development
lifecycle. Automated and manual analyses help identify possible vulnerabilities. The
Microsoft Security Response Center helps triage incoming vulnerability reports and
evaluate mitigations. Through the Microsoft Cloud Bug Bounty Terms, people across the
world can earn money by reporting vulnerabilities.

• Content protection: Each file is encrypted at rest with a unique AES-256 key. These unique
keys are encrypted with a set of master keys that are stored in Azure Key Vault.

Learn more: How OneDrive safeguards data in the cloud

MDM enrollment certificate attestation

When a device is enrolled into device management, the administrator assumes that the
device will enroll and receive appropriate policies to secure and manage the PC as they
expect. In some circumstances, enrollment certificates can be removed by malicious actors
and then used on unmanaged PCs to appear as though they are enrolled, but without
the security and management policies the administrator intended. With MDM enrollment
certificate attestation, the certificate and keys are bound to a specific machine through the
use of the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) to ensure that they can’t be lifted from one device
and applied to another. This capability has existed for physical PCs since Windows 11 22H2
and is now being extended to Windows 11-based Cloud PCs and Azure Virtual Desktop VMs.

Learn more: Configuration Service Provider - Windows Client Management

Protecting your personal information

Microsoft Account

Your Microsoft Account (MSA) gives you access to Microsoft products and services with
just one login, allowing you to manage everything all in one place. Keep tabs on your
subscriptions and order history, update your privacy and security settings, track the health
and safety of your devices, and get rewards. Everything stays with you in the cloud, across
devices, and between OS ecosystems, including iOS and Android.

You can even go passwordless with your Microsoft Account by removing the password from
your MSA and using the Microsoft Authenticator app on your mobile Android or iOS phone.

Learn more: What is a Microsoft account?

Windows provides greater flexibility for users to balance ease of use with security. Users can
choose the interval that the machine remains idle before it automatically signs the user out.
To avoid a security breach and prevent users from accidentally making settings changes,
Windows reauthenticates the user before they are allowed to change the setting to not sign
out the user even after the device remains idle indefinitely.

This setting is available on the Sign-in options page in Settings and is available on Windows
11 and onward for MSA users worldwide.

Find my device

When location services and Find my device settings are turned on, basic system services like
time zone and Find my device will be allowed to use the device’s location. When enabled,
Find my device can be used by the admin on the device to help recover lost or stolen
Windows devices to reduce security threats that rely on physical access.

Learn more: How to set up, find, and lock a lost Windows device using a Microsoft Account

OneDrive for personal

Microsoft OneDrive17 for personal provides additional security, backup, and restore options
for important personal files. OneDrive stores and protects files in the cloud, allowing users
to access them from laptops, desktops, and mobile devices. Plus, OneDrive provides an
excellent solution for backing up folders. If a device is lost or stolen, the user can quickly
recover all their important files from the cloud.

Learn more: OneDrive

In the event of a ransomware attack, OneDrive can enable recovery. And if backups are
configured in OneDrive, users have additional options to mitigate and recover from a
ransomware attack.

Learn more: How to recover from a ransomware attack using Microsoft 365

Learn more: How to restore from OneDrive

OneDrive Personal Vault

OneDrive Personal Vault⁹ also provides protection for the most important or sensitive files
and photos without sacrificing the convenience of anywhere access. Protect digital copies of
important documents in OneDrive Personal Vault. Files will be secured by identity verification
yet are still easily accessible across devices.

Learn how to set up a Personal Vault with a strong authentication method or a second step
of identity verification, such as fingerprint, face, PIN, or a code sent via email or SMS.

71
Microsoft is committed to continuously investing in improving our software development
process, building highly secure-by-design software, and addressing security compliance
requirements. At Microsoft, we embed security and privacy considerations from the earliest
lifecycle phases of all our product design and software development processes. We build in
security from the ground up for powerful defense in today’s threat environment and have the
infrastructure to protect and react quickly to future threats.

Every component of the Windows 11 technology stack, from chip-to-cloud, is purposefully

built secure by design. Windows 11 meets the modern threats of today’s flexible work
environments by delivering hardware-based isolation, end-to-end encryption, and advanced
malware protection.

With Windows 11, organizations can improve productivity and gain intuitive new experiences
without compromising security.
Microsoft Entra ID (formerly AAD) Microsoft Azure Attestation Service Universal Print
Protecting your Protecting your personal information
Modern Device Management (MDM) Windows Update for Business OneDrive for work or school
work information Find my device
Cloud Microsoft Account
− Microsoft Security baseline Windows Autopatch MDM enrollment certificate attestation
− Microsoft Intune
− Microsoft Entra ID (formerly
solution AAD) Microsoft Azure
Windows Attestation Service
Autopilot Universal Print User reauthentication before OneDrive for personal
Protecting your Local Admin Password
Protecting your
password personal information
disablement
− Modern
Endpoint Device
PrivilegeManagement
Management (MDM) Windows Update
Enterprise for Business
State Roaming with Azure OneDrive for work or school OneDrive Personal Vault
work information − −
Remote WipeSecurity baseline Find my device
Cloud Microsoft Account
Microsoft Windows Autopatch MDM enrollment certificate attestation
− Microsoft Intune
− Local Admin Password solution Windows Autopilot User reauthentication before OneDrive for personal
− Endpoint Privilege Management Enterprise State Roaming with Azure password disablement OneDrive Personal Vault
− Remote Wipe
Passwordless sign-in Advanced credential protection Privacy
Window Hello Passkeys Microsoft Defender SmartScreen enhanced phishing protection Privacy dashboard and report
Passwordless
Window sign-in
Hello for Business Windows presence sensing Advanced credential
Local Security Authorityprotection
(LSA) protection Privacy
Privacy transparency and controls

Identity Windows Hello PIN

Window Hello
FIDO support
Passkeys
Microsoft
Credential Guard
Microsoft Defender SmartScreen enhanced phishing protection
Privacy resource usage
Privacy dashboard and report
Windows Hello
Window biometric
Hello - fingerprint recognition
for Business Windows Authenticator app
presence sensing Remote
Local Credential
Security AuthorityGuard
(LSA) protection Privacy Windows diagnostic
transparency data processor
and controls
Windows HelloHello
biometric
PIN - facial recognition Smart cards for Windows Service configuration
Identity Windows
Windows HelloHello
Windows biometric - enhanced
biometric sign-in
- fingerprint security (ESS)
recognition
FIDO support
Federated Sign-in
Microsoft Authenticator app
Token Protection
Credential
Account
Guard
LockoutGuard
policy
Privacy resource usage
Remote Credential Windows diagnostic data processor
Window HelloHello
Windows for Business
biometricmulti-factor unlock
- facial recognition Smart cards for Windows Service Access management and control configuration
Token Protection
Windows Hello biometric - enhanced sign-in security (ESS) Federated Sign-in Account Lockout policy
Window Hello for Business multi-factor unlock Access management and control

Smart App Control

Application and Application isolation Win 32 app isolation
Application driver control
App Control for Business
User Account
Smart App Control
Control
App containers
Application and Application isolation WinWindows
32 app isolation
Sandbox
Application driver control
Microsoft vulnerable
App Control driver blocklist
for Business
User Account Control
App containers
Microsoft vulnerable driver blocklist Windows Sandbox

Encryption and data protection Network security Virus and threat protection
BitLocker drive encryption
Encryption and data protection Transport
Network Layer Security (TLS)
security Windows Firewall Microsoft
Virus Defender
and threat SmartScreen
protection Exploit protection
BitLocker To Go Domain Name System (DNS) security Virtual Private Network (VPN) Microsoft Defender Antivirus
BitLocker drive encryption Transport Layer Security (TLS) Windows Firewall Microsoft Defender SmartScreen Exploit Controlled
protection folder access
Device Encryption
BitLocker To Go
Bluetooth protection
Domain Name System (DNS) security Server Message Block (SMB) file AttackDefender
surface reduction Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Virtual Private Network (VPN) Microsoft Antivirus Controlled folder access
services
Operating
Encrypted
Devicehard drive
Encryption Securing Wi-Fi
Bluetooth connections
protection Server Message Block (SMB) file Tamper protection
Attack surface reduction Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
Personal data encryption
hard drive (PDE) 5G and eSIM services
Operating
Encrypted Securing Wi-Fi connections
System
Tamper protection
EmailPersonal
encryption
data encryption (PDE) 5G and eSIM
System Email encryption

System security Trusted Boot Code signing and integrity Kiosk Mode (aka Assigned Access)
System security Trusted Boot
Cryptography Code signing
Device healthand integrity
attestation Kiosk ModeRefresh
Config (aka Assigned Access)
Cryptography
Certificates Device
Windowshealth attestation
security policy settings and auditing Config RefreshSecurity Settings
Windows
Certificates Windows security policy settings and auditing Windows Security Settings

Hardware root-of-trust Silicon-assisted security

Hardware
Hardware
Hardware root-of-trust
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0
Silicon-assisted security
Secured kernel Secured-core PC
Secured-core PC protection
(Chip)
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 Secured kernel − Firmware
Microsoft Pluton security processor Hardware-enforced stack protection
(Chip)
− Firmware protection configuration lock
− Secured-core
Microsoft Pluton security processor Hardware-enforced stack protection − Secured-core configuration lock
Kernel Direct Memory Access (DMA) protection
Kernel Direct Memory Access (DMA) protection

Offensive research
Offensive research Certification
Certification Secure
Secure supply
supply chainchain
FederalInformation
Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Software Bill of Materials
(SBOM)(SBOM)
Security Foundation
Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) Federal Processing Standard (FIPS) Software Bill of Materials
Security Foundation
Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL)
OneFuzz service
OneFuzz service CommonCriteria
Common Criteriacertifications
certifications (CC)
(CC) Windows
Windows application
application software
software development
development kit (SDK)kit (SDK)
Microsoft Offensive
Microsoft Research
Offensive andand
Research Security Engineering
Security (MORSE)
Engineering (MORSE)
Windows Insiders
Windows andand
Insiders BugBug
Bounty program
Bounty program

Offensive research
Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL)

The Microsoft Security Development Lifecycle (SDL) introduces security best practices, tools,
and processes throughout all phases of engineering and development.

A range of tools and techniques—such as threat modeling, static analysis, fuzz testing, and
code quality checks—enable continued security value to be embedded into Windows by
every engineer on the team from day one. Through the SDL practices, Microsoft engineers
are continuously provided with actionable and up-to-date methods to improve development
workflows and overall product security before the code has been released.

Microsoft is dedicated to working with the community and our customers to continuously
improve and tune our platform and products to help defend against the dynamic and
sophisticated threat landscape. Project OneFuzz—an extensible fuzz testing framework used
by Microsoft Edge, Windows, and teams across Microsoft—is now available to developers
around the world through GitHub as an open-source tool.

Learn more: Project OneFuzz framework, an open source developer tool to find and fix bugs
at scale

Learn more: OneFuzz on GitHub

Microsoft Offensive Research and Security Engineering

Microsoft Offensive Research and Security Engineering performs targeted design reviews,
audits, and deep penetration testing of Windows features using Microsoft’s open-source
OneFuzz platform as part of their development and testing cycle.

Windows Insider and Bug Bounty program

As part of our secure development process, the Microsoft Windows Insider Preview bounty
program invites eligible researchers across the globe to find and submit vulnerabilities that
reproduce in the latest Windows Insider Preview (WIP) Dev Channel.

The goal of the Windows Insider Preview bounty program is to uncover significant
vulnerabilities that have a direct and demonstrable impact on the security of customers using
the latest version of Windows.

Through this collaboration with researchers across the globe, our teams identify critical
vulnerabilities that were not previously found during development and quicky fix the issues
before releasing our final Windows.

Learn more: Windows Insider Program

Learn more: Microsoft bounty programs

Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS)

The Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) Publication 140 is a US government
standard that defines the minimum security requirements for cryptographic modules in IT
products. Microsoft maintains an active commitment to meeting the requirements of the FIPS
140 standard, having validated cryptographic modules against FIPS 140-2 since it was first
established. Microsoft products, including Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows Server, and
many cloud services, use these cryptographic modules.

Common Criteria (CC)

Common Criteria (CC) is an international standard currently maintained by national
governments who participate in the Common Criteria Recognition Arrangement. Common
Criteria defines a common taxonomy for security functional requirements, security assurance
requirements, and an evaluation methodology used to ensure products undergoing
evaluation satisfy the functional and assurance requirements.

Microsoft ensures that products incorporate the features and functions required by relevant
Common Criteria Protection Profiles and completes Common Criteria certifications of
Microsoft Windows products.

Microsoft publishes the list of FIPS 140 and Common Criteria certified products at Federal
Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140 Validation and Common Criteria Certifications.

Secure supply chain

The end-to-end Windows 11 supply chain is complex, extending from the entire
development process to components such as chips, firmware, drivers, operating system,
and apps from other organizations, manufacturing, and security updates. Microsoft invests
significantly in Windows 11 supply chain security, as well as the security of features and
components. In 2021, the United States issued an executive order on enhancing the nation’s
cybersecurity. The executive order, along with various attacks like SolarWinds and WannaCry,
elevated the urgency and importance of ensuring a secure supply chain.

Identity management and user access control

Access control / Principles of least privilege / RBAC / Segregation of duties / MFAs /
Account management / Physical access control

Information security
Information handling / Cryptography / Vulnerability scanning / Encryption / Integrity and attestation / Confidentiality

Operational controls
Code of repo ownership / Config & change management / Asset ownership / Manufacturing standards

Security monitoring & event logging

Network / Host / Application / Services / DevOps / Manufacturing security / Physical security monitoring

Supplier security control

SSPA / Supplier screening / Supplier inventory

Logistics security control

Receiving / Shipping / Warehouse & storage / Logistics management

Software bill of materials (SBOM)

In addition to following the above supply chain security controls, SBOMs are leveraged to
provide the transparency and provenance of the content as it moves through various stages
of the Windows supply chain. This enables trust between each supply chain segment, ensures
that tampering has not taken place during ingestion and along the way, and provides a
provable chain of custody for the product that we ship to customers.

Code-signing software is the best way to guarantee application integrity and authenticity
and helps users distinguish between trusted applications and malware before downloading
or installing. Code signing proprietary applications and software from other organizations
greatly reduces the complexity of creating and managing application control policies. Code
signing enables the creation and deployment of certificate chain-based application control
policies, which can then be cryptographically enforced.

Traditionally, code signing has been a difficult undertaking due to the complexities
involved in obtaining certificates, securely managing those certificates, and integrating a
proper signing process into the development and continuous integration and continuous
deployment (CI/CD) pipelines.

Developers can design highly secure applications that benefit from the latest Windows 11
safeguards using the Windows App SDK. The SDK provides a unified set of APIs and tools
for developing secure desktop apps for Windows 11 and Windows 10. To help create apps
that are up to date and protected, the SDK follows the same security standards, protocols,
and compliance as the core Windows operating system.

If you are a developer, you can find security best practices and information at Windows
application development—best practices. You can get started with Windows App SDK
Samples on GitHub. For an example of the continuous security process in action with the
Windows App SDK, see the most recent release.

Table of Contents | Introduction | Hardware Security | Operating System Security | Application Security 76
Identity | Privacy | Cloud Services | Security Foundation | Conclusion
Conclusion
Conclusion
We will continue to bring you new features to protect against evolving threats, simplify
management, and securely enable new workstyles. With Windows 11 devices, organizations
of all sizes can benefit from the security and performance to thrive anywhere.

For the latest information and version of this document see windows.com/business/
windows-11-security.

What’s new
New
Config Refresh
5G and eSIM
Win32 apps in isolation (public preview)
Passkey
Sign-in Session Token Protection
Windows Local Administrator Password Solution (LAPS) (public preview)
Microsoft Intune Suite Endpoint Privilège Management (EPM)
Microsoft Intune Suite Endpoint Privilege Management (EPM)

Enhanced
Hardware security user experience
BitLocker to go
Device encryption
Windows Firewall
Server Message Block direct
Smart App Control (SAC) going into Enforcement mode
Application Control for Business
Enhanced Sign-in security (ESS)
Windows Hello for Business
Presence Detection
Wake on approach, lock on leave
Universal Print
Lockout policies for local admin
Enhanced Phishing protection

February 2022 Revisions to Hardware root-of-trust, Virus and threat protection, and Windows Hello for Business content.
April 2022 Added Upcoming features section
September 2022 Updates with Windows 11 2022 Update features and enhancements. See What’s new (LINK to section)
April 2023 Minor edits and updates to edition availability
September 2023 Updates with Windows 11 2023 Update features and enhancements
Endnotes
1. “2023 Data Breach Investigations Report,” Verizon, 2023.
2. “Microsoft Digital Defense Report 2022,” Microsoft, 2022.
3. Compared to Windows 10 devices. “Improve your day-to-day experience with Windows 11 Pro laptops,” Principled Tech-
nologies, February 2023.
4. Based on Monthly Active Device data. “Earnings Release FY23 Q3,” Microsoft, April 2023.
5. Windows 11 results are in comparison with Windows 10 devices. “Windows 11 Survey Report,” Techaisle, February 2022.
6. Requires developer enablement.
7. Requires Microsoft Entra ID (formerly AAD) and Microsoft Intune or other modern device management solution product
required; sold separately.
8. Commissioned study delivered by Forrester Consulting. “The Total Economic Impact™ of Windows 11 Pro Devices”, De-
cember 2022. Note, quantified benefits reflect results over three years combined into a single composite organization that
generates $1 billion in annual revenue, has 2,000 employees, refreshes hardware on a four-year cycle, and migrates the
entirety of its workforce to Windows 11 devices.
9. Sold separately
10. Email encryption is supported on products such as Microsoft Exchange Server and Microsoft Exchange Online.
11. Microsoft internal data.
12. Microsoft Entra ID Basic is included with Microsoft Azure and Microsoft 365 subscriptions, and other commercial services
subscriptions.
13. Requires Microsoft Entra ID (formerly AAD) Premium; sold separately.
14. Hardware dependent.
15. Microsoft 365 E3 or E5 required; sold separately.
16. The Total Economic Impact™ of Windows Pro Device, Forrester study commissioned by Microsoft, June 2020.
17. All users with a Microsoft Account get 5GB of OneDrive storage free, and all Microsoft 365 subscriptions include 1TB of
OneDrive storage. Additional OneDrive storage is sold separately.

The information contained in this document represents the current view of Microsoft Corporation on the issues discussed as of
the date of publication. Because Microsoft must respond to changing market conditions, it should not be interpreted to be a
commitment on the part of Microsoft, and Microsoft cannot guarantee the accuracy of any information presented after the date of
publication.

This paper is for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, in this document.

Complying with all applicable copyright laws is the responsibility of the user. Without limiting the rights under copyright, no
part of this document may be reproduced, stored in, or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by
any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), or for any purpose, without the express written
permission of Microsoft Corporation.

Microsoft may have patents, patent applications, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property rights covering subject
matter in this document. Except as expressly provided in any written license agreement from Microsoft, the furnishing of this
document does not give you any license to these patents, trademarks, copyrights, or other intellectual property.

Microsoft, list Microsoft trademarks used in your white paper alphabetically are either registered trademarks or trademarks of
Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Part No. September 2023

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