The HTMD Blog article “Security Settings for Windows 11 Hardening options”, published October 26, 2022, is a useful guide to Windows Security policy areas—but many of its settings hide pages or controls rather than protect the PC. For real hardening, configure protections such as Secure Boot, BitLocker, Microsoft Defender, firewall rules, credential isolation, application controls, and timely updates, then verify they applied.
For managed fleets, Microsoft’s Intune release notes identified the Windows 11 25H2 security baseline as the latest available on August 18, 2026. A baseline is a starting point, not a universal prescription; review its settings, test compatibility, and deploy it in stages.
What the HTMD article covers
The 2022 HTMD article focuses on Windows Security interface areas and related management policies. Its coverage includes:
- Account Protection
- App and browser protection
- Device performance and health
- Device security
- Enterprise customization
- Family options
- Firewall and Network Protection
- Notifications and Systray
- Virus and threat protection
It also points administrators to Group Policy and Intune Settings Catalog categories such as Microsoft Defender, Device Guard, Firewall, and Local Policies Security Options. That makes it a useful map of where to look, but it should not be read as a complete modern hardening standard. Read the original HTMD article.
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Hiding Windows Security pages is not the same as hardening
Windows Security policies can control what users see or change. Those controls may help keep users from altering managed settings, but hiding a page does not enable the protection represented by that page. HTMD describes policies to hide areas including Firewall and Network Protection, Device Security, the TPM troubleshooter, notifications, the Systray control, and ransomware-recovery information.
| Policy type | Example | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Visibility-only | Hide Account Protection or Firewall and Network Protection | Hides a Windows Security area; does not configure sign-in security or firewall rules. |
| User-control restriction | Prevent users from changing selected Windows Security settings | Helps preserve administrator-managed configuration, but may make troubleshooting harder. |
| Direct protection | BitLocker, Defender PUA blocking, attack surface reduction (ASR), Credential Guard, or firewall rules | Changes security behavior and should be tested for compatibility and operational impact. |
Keep useful security warnings visible unless an equivalent monitoring and escalation process is in place. If ransomware-recovery details are hidden, make sure recovery itself is configured and tested; interface suppression is not a backup strategy.
Prioritize protections by what they defend
Hardening means reducing the chance of compromise and limiting the damage if one occurs. Microsoft describes Windows 11’s hardware-security foundations and application and driver controls in its Secure by Design discussion. That does not mean every installation is fully hardened: hardware, edition, configuration, management, and organizational policy all matter.
| Threat or objective | Controls to consider | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Device theft and offline data access | Secure Boot, TPM, BitLocker, and recovery-key escrow | BitLocker protects data at rest; it does not stop malware or an authorized user from accessing data on an unlocked device. |
| Malware and unwanted software | Defender Antivirus, cloud-delivered protection, PUA protection, SmartScreen, and application control | Privacy policy, Windows version, management, and application compatibility affect configuration choices. |
| Credential theft and phishing | Windows Hello for Business or another phishing-resistant sign-in method, Credential Guard, LSA protection, and phishing protection | Check edition, hardware, identity, and legacy authentication dependencies before enforcement. |
| Ransomware and malicious execution | ASR rules, exploit protection, Controlled Folder Access where appropriate, application controls, and tested backups | Begin with audit and pilot deployments for rules that could block business workflows. |
| Lateral movement | Defender Firewall, least privilege, restricted remote management, and appropriately configured RDP and SMB controls | Restricting one remote-access path is not enough if another remains exposed. |
| Persistence through vulnerable software or drivers | Prompt updates, vulnerable-driver blocking, HVCI where compatible, and application and driver control | Legacy drivers and specialized software can be affected; validate before broad rollout. |
MITRE ATT&CK’s operating-system configuration mitigation also highlights controls such as Secure Boot, BitLocker, centrally applied policy, RDP with Network Level Authentication, and configuration audits. MITRE ATT&CK: M1028, Operating System Configuration.
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Windows 11 hardening checklist
1. Keep Windows and applications current
Use a managed update process, deploy critical security fixes promptly, and monitor devices that fall behind. Updates to firmware, drivers, browsers, and business applications matter alongside Windows servicing.
2. Establish a trusted boot and encryption foundation
Enable Secure Boot and use TPM-backed protections where supported. Encrypt operating-system and fixed-data volumes with BitLocker, escrow recovery keys to an approved, access-controlled location, and test that authorized administrators can retrieve and use them. Encryption does not replace endpoint protection or backups.
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3. Configure endpoint protection and the firewall
Use Microsoft Defender Antivirus real-time protection, cloud-delivered protection, and sample-submission settings consistent with organizational privacy requirements. Keep Defender Firewall enabled for domain, private, and public profiles, and use inbound rules that reflect the device’s role rather than allowing broad access.
Do not assume that adding another antivirus product leaves Defender Antivirus unchanged. The original HTMD article notes that another antivirus can affect Defender Antivirus’s behavior. Distinguish the primary antivirus role from other Microsoft security capabilities, such as Defender for Endpoint’s sensor and security-management functions, and verify the actual state on managed devices.
4. Protect against unwanted and malicious execution
Enable SmartScreen and phishing protections where supported, and assess PUA protection, ASR rules, exploit protection, and application control. Smart App Control’s availability and lifecycle depend on the Windows version, installation state, hardware, and administration. For managed enterprise fleets, consider App Control for Business rather than treating consumer-oriented controls as a universal deployment path.
5. Reduce credential exposure and privilege
Use standard accounts for routine work and controlled, logged elevation for administrative tasks. Assess Windows Hello for Business or another phishing-resistant sign-in method, Credential Guard, and LSA protection. Review custom security support providers, authentication packages, and older authentication dependencies before restricting them.
6. Protect recovery and visibility
Collect security events centrally, alert on meaningful Defender and policy signals, maintain tested backups, and verify recovery procedures. A policy assignment showing success is not by itself proof that a protection is functioning as intended.
Deploy Defender PUA protection in stages
Potentially unwanted application (PUA) protection can block or audit software Microsoft classifies as potentially unwanted. Microsoft documents the following PowerShell controls and numeric values; run management commands in an elevated PowerShell session where required and verify the resulting state.
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- Start in Audit mode. This records detections without applying the blocking behavior, so administrators can identify legitimate software and workflows that need attention.
- Review events and reports. Investigate detections, identify approved business applications, and document any exception and its owner.
- Enable blocking for an appropriate pilot group. Expand only after the audit and pilot results are acceptable.
- Monitor and retain a rollback path. If a business-critical workflow is affected, use the documented setting to return to audit or disable it while troubleshooting.
# Enable blocking
Set-MpPreference -PUAProtection Enabled
# Use audit mode
Set-MpPreference -PUAProtection AuditMode
# Disable for controlled rollback or troubleshooting
Set-MpPreference -PUAProtection Disabled
# Query the current value
Get-MpPreference | Format-Table PUAProtectionMicrosoft maps the returned values as 0 for disabled, 1 for enabled/block, and 2 for audit mode. The documented Group Policy path is Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Microsoft Defender Antivirus > Configure detection for potentially unwanted applications; set it to Enabled, then choose Block or Audit Mode. Defaults can vary with Windows version, Defender for Endpoint onboarding, Smart App Control state, and security intelligence version, so verify rather than assume. Microsoft PUA protection documentation.
Use Intune baselines and Settings Catalog carefully
As of August 18, 2026, Microsoft’s Intune release notes identified the Windows 11 25H2 security baseline as the latest available. Microsoft notes that a new baseline can add settings, change defaults, retire settings, or update guidance; existing profiles do not automatically move to the new baseline. Review the release notes and your customizations before changing profiles. Microsoft Intune release notes.
A baseline is a reviewed starting configuration, not an instruction to override every business-specific setting. Microsoft’s documented 25H2 update includes a setting concerning disabling Internet Explorer 11 launch through COM automation, and Microsoft notes that existing profiles may need to be edited and saved for updated settings to take effect. Confirm current behavior in the release notes and the profile before rollout.
Create a targeted Settings Catalog policy
- In the Microsoft Intune admin center, go to Devices → Configuration → Create → New policy.
- Choose Windows 10 and later, then select Settings catalog.
- Search by the security capability you need, such as Microsoft Defender, Attack Surface Reduction, Device Guard, Firewall, Local Policies Security Options, BitLocker, SmartScreen, or Windows Security.
- Configure only settings tied to a defined security objective. Check for overlapping settings in security baselines, Endpoint security policies, Group Policy, Configuration Manager, and other management tools.
- Assign the policy to a pilot device group, review policy status and conflicts, and validate behavior on representative devices.
- Expand assignment in deployment rings, monitoring device status and application impact at each stage.
The HTMD article specifically recommends searching the Settings Catalog for Microsoft Defender, Device Guard, Firewall, and Local Policies Security Options. Use those as navigation cues, not as a reason to deploy every matching setting.
Update a baseline without losing track of customizations
- Compare the new baseline’s settings with the deployed profile and record local changes, exclusions, and business owners.
- Review additions, changed defaults, and retired settings against your applications and threat model.
- Test the revised configuration on representative hardware and software, including devices that are remote or intermittently connected.
- Expand in rings only after reviewing conflicts, device reporting, event logs, and user impact.
Group Policy areas that deserve review
For traditional Active Directory or hybrid estates, review policy precedence and assignment scope before adding equivalent Intune settings. Avoid having multiple management planes set the same control without understanding which value wins.
- Credential and authentication protection: LSA protection, Credential Guard, custom security support providers and authentication packages, LAN Manager hash storage, account lockout, password policy, and phishing-resistant sign-in.
- Network security: Defender Firewall profiles and inbound defaults, RDP exposure and Network Level Authentication, SMB signing where appropriate, anonymous enumeration, and legacy protocol dependencies.
- Application and exploit protection: ASR, exploit protection, SmartScreen, application control, and vulnerable-driver blocking.
- Data protection: BitLocker, recovery-key handling, removable-media controls, and backup validation.
Microsoft’s Windows 11 22H2 baseline discussion emphasized protections including LSASS, custom SSPs and authentication providers, enhanced phishing protection, vulnerable-driver blocking, and administrator account lockout. It is useful background, but do not treat a 2022 baseline discussion as current configuration guidance for every Windows 11 release. Microsoft Windows 11 22H2 security baseline discussion.
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Verify configuration on the device
Use read-only checks to confirm what the device reports, then compare results with the management console and policy assignment. Some commands require administrator rights; output and command availability depend on Windows edition, hardware, configuration, and management state.
# Defender Antivirus status
Get-MpComputerStatus
# Defender Antivirus preferences, including PUA protection
Get-MpPreference
Get-MpPreference | Format-Table PUAProtection
# BitLocker volumes (administrative rights may be required)
Get-BitLockerVolume
# Secure Boot status (supported UEFI devices; may require elevation)
Confirm-SecureBootUEFI
# TPM status
Get-TpmA successful command is only one check. Reconcile local results with Intune or Group Policy reporting, Defender alerts, relevant event logs, and practical tests such as recovery-key retrieval and application operation.
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HVCI, Credential Guard, ASR, application control, and restrictive network policies can interrupt software or workflows. Check specifically for:
- Legacy or unsigned drivers, VPN clients, network filters, and security software.
- Virtualization products and hardware without required TPM, Secure Boot, or virtualization support.
- Screen readers and accessibility tools.
- Medical, industrial, point-of-sale, or other specialized applications.
- Custom authentication providers and applications that rely on legacy credentials.
- Software that depends on macros, scripts, SMB, NTLM, legacy printers, or broad network access.
- Remote and offline scenarios, including VPN, captive portals, and domain-disconnected use.
Microsoft’s baseline discussion calls for compatibility testing where hardware-enforced protections and drivers may be affected. Use audit mode where available, pilot on representative devices, define an owner for each exception, and document how to reverse a policy that blocks essential work. Microsoft baseline compatibility discussion.
Choose the management path for your environment
Home or unmanaged PC
Prioritize Windows Update, Defender Antivirus, the firewall, Secure Boot, device encryption or BitLocker where available, a standard-user account, Windows Hello, SmartScreen, PUA protection, browser security, backups, and safe recovery-key storage. Avoid manually importing enterprise Group Policy settings or Intune baselines without a clear reason.
Small business
Start with centrally managed updates, endpoint protection, encryption and recovery-key handling, least privilege, and tested backups. Add a management service when you need reliable deployment, inventory, compliance reporting, and response—not simply because a long checklist exists.
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Use an Intune security baseline as a starting point, then layer targeted Endpoint security policies and Settings Catalog settings. Consider Defender for Endpoint, Conditional Access, Windows Hello for Business, BitLocker escrow, ASR, application control, compliance policies, and device-risk integration according to licensing and operational capacity. Separate administrative roles and protect privileged accounts.
Hybrid Active Directory organization
Account for Group Policy precedence, OU design, security filtering, and any loopback processing in use. Map existing policies before migrating them to Intune, and investigate NTLM, SMB, RDP, printer, and other legacy dependencies. Harden identity systems and administrative tiers as well as client devices.
Regulated or government environments
Use the benchmark or framework required by the organization, but assess applicability and operational impact. Microsoft baselines are a natural starting point for Microsoft-managed Windows estates; CIS benchmarks help with benchmark-based governance; DISA STIGs are designed for applicable U.S. government and defense contexts and may be too restrictive as a general commercial or home-PC default. None removes the need for testing, approved exceptions, and ongoing review. Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit and Windows security baselines · CIS Benchmarks.
Match tools to the job
Management, detection, and assessment tools solve different problems. Buying a product does not automatically harden Windows; the organization still needs someone to own deployment, alerts, exceptions, and remediation.
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| Tool or approach | Primary job | What it does not replace |
|---|---|---|
| Intune | Cloud device management, configuration, security policies, compliance, and baseline deployment | Endpoint detection and response by itself |
| Defender for Endpoint | Endpoint detection and response, security investigation, and related endpoint protections | Carefully designed configuration and policy deployment |
| Defender for Business | Endpoint security capabilities for smaller organizations | Operational ownership, backup, or configuration planning |
| Configuration Manager | Management in established on-premises or co-managed estates | A security baseline decision or threat-response process |
| CIS-CAT Pro | Assessment and reporting against CIS Benchmarks | Intune policy deployment or EDR |
| Tenable Nessus | Vulnerability and configuration assessment across infrastructure | Windows endpoint policy management or EDR |
Product availability, licensing, and feature entitlement vary by plan and organization; check the vendor’s current terms before making a purchasing decision. Microsoft Intune · Microsoft Defender for Endpoint · Microsoft Defender for Business · Microsoft endpoint management · CIS-CAT Pro · Tenable Nessus.
Quick Recap
A practical rollout sequence
- Inventory devices, editions, hardware support, management planes, business applications, and remote-access paths.
- Choose a baseline that fits the organization, compare it with current policy, and document justified deviations.
- Deploy core protections first: updates, Secure Boot and TPM where supported, encryption with recoverable keys, Defender, firewall, and least privilege.
- Use audit mode and pilot rings for PUA, ASR, HVCI, Credential Guard, application control, and compatibility-sensitive network restrictions.
- Verify policy status on devices, inspect events and alerts, test core applications, and confirm recovery procedures.
- Expand gradually, assign owners to exceptions, and review policy drift and baseline changes on a recurring schedule.
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