Configuring Windows Defender Advanced Settings
When to Use
Use this skill when:
- Configuring Microsoft Defender for Endpoint (MDE) beyond default settings for enhanced protection
- Implementing Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) rules to block common attack techniques
- Enabling controlled folder access for ransomware protection
- Configuring network protection and exploit protection features
- Deploying Defender settings via Intune, SCCM, or Group Policy at enterprise scale
Do not use this skill for third-party EDR deployment (CrowdStrike, SentinelOne) or for Microsoft Defender for Cloud (Azure workload protection).
Prerequisites
- Windows 10/11 Enterprise with Microsoft Defender Antivirus enabled
- Microsoft 365 E5 or Microsoft Defender for Endpoint Plan 2 license (for full MDE features)
- Microsoft Intune or SCCM for enterprise policy deployment
- Microsoft 365 Defender portal access (security.microsoft.com)
- Endpoints not running third-party AV in active mode (Defender enters passive mode)
Workflow
Step 1: Configure Attack Surface Reduction (ASR) Rules
ASR rules block specific behaviors commonly used by malware and attackers:
# Enable ASR rules via PowerShell (or deploy via Intune/GPO)
# Mode: 0=Disabled, 1=Block, 2=Audit, 6=Warn
# Block executable content from email client and webmail
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids BE9BA2D9-53EA-4CDC-84E5-9B1EEEE46550 `
-AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1
# Block all Office applications from creating child processes
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids D4F940AB-401B-4EFC-AADC-AD5F3C50688A `
-AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1
# Block Office applications from creating executable content
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids 3B576869-A4EC-4529-8536-B80A7769E899 `
-AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1
# Block Office applications from injecting code into other processes
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids 75668C1F-73B5-4CF0-BB93-3ECF5CB7CC84 `
-AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1
# Block JavaScript or VBScript from launching downloaded executable content
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids D3E037E1-3EB8-44C8-A917-57927947596D `
-AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1
# Block execution of potentially obfuscated scripts
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids 5BEB7EFE-FD9A-4556-801D-275E5FFC04CC `
-AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1
# Block Win32 API calls from Office macros
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids 92E97FA1-2EDF-4476-BDD6-9DD0B4DDDC7B `
-AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1
# Block credential stealing from Windows LSASS
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids 9E6C4E1F-7D60-472F-BA1A-A39EF669E4B2 `
-AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1
# Block process creations from PSExec and WMI commands
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids D1E49AAC-8F56-4280-B9BA-993A6D77406C `
-AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1
# Block untrusted and unsigned processes from USB
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids B2B3F03D-6A65-4F7B-A9C7-1C7EF74A9BA4 `
-AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1
# Block persistence through WMI event subscription
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids E6DB77E5-3DF2-4CF1-B95A-636979351E5B `
-AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1
# Block abuse of exploited vulnerable signed drivers
Set-MpPreference -AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Ids 56A863A9-875E-4185-98A7-B882C64B5CE5 `
-AttackSurfaceReductionRules_Actions 1
Step 2: Configure Controlled Folder Access (Ransomware Protection)
# Enable Controlled Folder Access
Set-MpPreference -EnableControlledFolderAccess Enabled
# Default protected folders: Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, Desktop, Favorites
# Add custom protected folders
Add-MpPreference -ControlledFolderAccessProtectedFolders "C:\CriticalData"
Add-MpPreference -ControlledFolderAccessProtectedFolders "D:\SharedDrives"
# Allow specific applications to access protected folders
Add-MpPreference -ControlledFolderAccessAllowedApplications "C:\Program Files\CustomApp\app.exe"
Add-MpPreference -ControlledFolderAccessAllowedApplications "C:\Program Files\Backup\backup.exe"
# Set to Audit mode first to identify legitimate applications that need access
Set-MpPreference -EnableControlledFolderAccess AuditMode
# Event ID 1124 in Microsoft-Windows-Windows Defender/Operational log
Step 3: Configure Network Protection
# Enable Network Protection (blocks connections to malicious domains/IPs)
Set-MpPreference -EnableNetworkProtection Enabled
# Network Protection leverages Microsoft SmartScreen intelligence
# Blocks: phishing sites, exploit hosting domains, C2 domains, malware download URLs
# Set to Audit mode first:
Set-MpPreference -EnableNetworkProtection AuditMode
# Event Log: Microsoft-Windows-Windows Defender/Operational, Event ID 1125
# Configure Web Content Filtering (requires MDE P2 license)
# Managed via Microsoft 365 Defender portal:
# Settings → Endpoints → Web content filtering → Add policy
# Categories to block: Malware, Phishing, Adult content, High bandwidth
Step 4: Configure Exploit Protection
# Export current exploit protection settings
Get-ProcessMitigation -RegistryConfigFilePath "C:\Defender\current_mitigations.xml"
# Configure system-level mitigations
Set-ProcessMitigation -System -Enable DEP, SEHOP, ForceRelocateImages, BottomUp
# Configure per-application mitigations
# Example: Harden Microsoft Office against exploitation
Set-ProcessMitigation -Name "WINWORD.EXE" `
-Enable DEP, SEHOP, ForceRelocateImages, CFG, StrictHandle
Set-ProcessMitigation -Name "EXCEL.EXE" `
-Enable DEP, SEHOP, ForceRelocateImages, CFG, StrictHandle
Set-ProcessMitigation -Name "POWERPNT.EXE" `
-Enable DEP, SEHOP, ForceRelocateImages, CFG, StrictHandle
# Import exploit protection configuration from XML template
Set-ProcessMitigation -PolicyFilePath "C:\Defender\exploit_protection_template.xml"
Step 5: Configure Cloud-Delivered Protection
# Enable cloud-delivered protection (real-time threat intelligence)
Set-MpPreference -MAPSReporting Advanced
Set-MpPreference -SubmitSamplesConsent SendAllSamples
# Enable Block at First Sight (BAFS)
# Requires: Cloud protection enabled + sample submission enabled
Set-MpPreference -DisableBlockAtFirstSeen $false
# Set cloud block timeout to maximum (60 seconds)
Set-MpPreference -CloudBlockLevel High
Set-MpPreference -CloudExtendedTimeout 50
# Enable potentially unwanted application (PUA) protection
Set-MpPreference -PUAProtection Enabled
Step 6: Configure Scan and Update Settings
# Configure real-time protection
Set-MpPreference -DisableRealtimeMonitoring $false
Set-MpPreference -DisableBehaviorMonitoring $false
Set-MpPreference -DisableIOAVProtection $false
Set-MpPreference -DisableScriptScanning $false
# Configure scheduled scan
Set-MpPreference -ScanScheduleQuickScanTime 12:00:00
Set-MpPreference -ScanParameters QuickScan
Set-MpPreference -ScanScheduleDay 0 # Every day
Set-MpPreference -RemediationScheduleDay 0
# Configure signature updates
Set-MpPreference -SignatureUpdateInterval 1 # Check every hour
Set-MpPreference -SignatureFallbackOrder "MicrosoftUpdateServer|MMPC"
# Enable tamper protection (prevents unauthorized changes to Defender settings)
# Managed via Microsoft 365 Defender portal:
# Settings → Endpoints → Advanced features → Tamper Protection: On
Step 7: Deploy via Intune (Enterprise)
Intune Deployment Path:
1. Endpoint Security → Attack Surface Reduction → Create Profile
- Platform: Windows 10 and later
- Profile: Attack surface reduction rules
- Configure each ASR rule to Block or Audit
2. Endpoint Security → Antivirus → Create Profile
- Microsoft Defender Antivirus
- Configure: Cloud protection, PUA, real-time protection
3. Endpoint Security → Antivirus → Create Profile
- Microsoft Defender Antivirus Exclusions
- Add path/process/extension exclusions for LOB apps
4. Devices → Configuration profiles → Create profile
- Endpoint protection → Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard
- Configure: Controlled Folder Access, Network Protection
Step 8: Monitor in Microsoft 365 Defender Portal
Dashboard monitoring:
1. security.microsoft.com → Reports → Endpoints
- Device health: Protection status across fleet
- ASR rule detections: Which rules are triggering
- Vulnerable devices: Missing security updates
2. Threat analytics:
- Active threat campaigns and Defender coverage
- Recommended security actions
3. Advanced hunting (KQL):
DeviceEvents
| where ActionType startswith "Asr"
| summarize Count=count() by ActionType, FileName
| sort by Count desc
DeviceEvents
| where ActionType == "ControlledFolderAccessViolationBlocked"
| project Timestamp, DeviceName, FileName, FolderPath
Key Concepts
| Term | Definition |
|---|
| ASR Rules | Attack Surface Reduction rules that block specific high-risk behaviors at the endpoint level |
| Controlled Folder Access | Ransomware protection feature that prevents unauthorized applications from modifying files in protected folders |
| Network Protection | Blocks outbound connections to low-reputation or known-malicious domains using SmartScreen intelligence |
| Exploit Protection | System and per-application memory mitigations (DEP, ASLR, CFG) to prevent exploitation |
| BAFS (Block at First Sight) | Cloud-based zero-day protection that holds suspicious files for cloud analysis before allowing execution |
| Tamper Protection | Prevents unauthorized changes to Defender security settings, even by local administrators |
Tools & Systems
- Microsoft 365 Defender Portal: security.microsoft.com for centralized management and reporting
- Microsoft Intune: Cloud-based endpoint management for Defender policy deployment
- PowerShell (Set-MpPreference): Local configuration of Defender settings
- WDAC (Windows Defender Application Control): Complementary application control technology
- Microsoft Defender for Endpoint API: REST API for automation and custom integrations
Common Pitfalls
- Enabling all ASR rules in Block mode immediately: Some ASR rules cause false positives with legitimate software (Office macros, admin scripts). Always deploy in Audit mode first and monitor for 2-4 weeks.
- Not configuring Controlled Folder Access exclusions: Backup software, database applications, and development tools may be blocked from writing to protected folders. Add exclusions proactively.
- Ignoring tamper protection: Without tamper protection, malware or insiders can disable Defender via PowerShell or registry edits. Enable tamper protection through the M365 Defender portal.
- Running Defender alongside third-party AV: Defender enters passive mode when third-party AV is present. Ensure you are using the intended AV solution and configure Defender appropriately (EDR-only mode if keeping third-party AV).
- Forgetting cloud connectivity requirements: Cloud-delivered protection and BAFS require endpoints to reach Microsoft cloud services. Verify proxy/firewall rules allow Defender cloud traffic.
