description: Windows is a traditonal operating system developed by Microsoft that provides a platform for running software applications and managing computer hardware.
- [Download](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=55319) the following files: `Windows 11 v23H2 Security Baseline.zip` and `LGPO.zip`.
- Unzip both files. In `LGPO\LGPO_30`, copy `LGPO.exe` to `Windows 11 v23H2 Security Baseline\Scripts\Tools`.
- In `Windows 11 v23H2 Security Baseline\Scripts`, execute the following command from an elevated command prompt:
Smart App Control can check the security of apps while they are running. You should enable Smart App Control in Start → Windows Security → App & Browser Control → Smart App Control.
Most applications on Windows are not sandboxed.
### Device Encryption
BitLocker is a disk encryption feature. Before enabling Bitlocker, you should configure it to use stronger encryption methods as well as allow for more secure unlocking methods:
- Enable the Group Policy `Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\BitLocker Drive Encryption\Choose drive encryption method and cipher strength (Windows 10 [Version 1511] and later)` and set the options to `XTS-AES 256-bit`, `XTS-AES 256-bit`, `AES-CBC 256-bit` respectively.
- Enable the Group Policy `Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\BitLocker Drive Encryption\Operating System Drives\Require additional authentication at startup` and set the options to unchecked, `Allow TPM`, `Allow startup PIN with TPM`, `Allow startup key with TPM` and `Allow startup key and PIN with TPM` respectively.
- Enable the Group Policy `Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\BitLocker Drive Encryption\Operating System Drives\Allow enhanced PINs for startup`.
You should enable Bitlocker in Start → Windows Security → Device Security → Data Encryption. You should set a strong PIN for BitLocker and encrypt the entire disk space.
### Windows Defender
- Enable all options in Start → Windows Security → App & Browser Control → Reputation Based Protection.
- Enable all options in Start → Windows Security → App & Browser Control → Exploit Protection → System Settings.
- Enable all options in Start → Windows Security → Virus & Threat Protection.
- Enable `Block all inbound connections` options in Start → Windows Security → Firewall and Network Protection → Public Network/Private Network/Domain Network.
- Check if `Memory access protection` is displayed in Start → Windows Security → Device Security → Core Isolation. If not, enable the Group Policy `Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\BitLocker Drive Encryption\Disable new DMA devices when this computer is locked`.
- Enable the Group Policy `Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Microsoft Defender Antivirus\Scan\Turn on e-mail scanning`.
- Enable the Group Policy `Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Microsoft Defender Antivirus\Scan\Scan removable drives`.
- Enable the Group Policy `Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Microsoft Defender Antivirus\Scan\Scan network files`.
- Enable the Group Policy `Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Microsoft Defender Antivirus\Scan\Run full scan on mapped network drives`.
You can also use Windows Sandbox to run untrusted apps. Enable Windows Sandbox in Start → Settings → System → Optional Fetures → More Windows Features. Open Windows Sandbox in Start → Windows Sandbox. You can transfer files and apps into Windows Sandbox by copying them.
- Disable Remote Assistance. In the search box on the taskbar, type `remote assistance`, and then select `Allow Remote Assistance invitations to be sent from this computer` from the list of results. Then, on the `Remote` tab, unselect the Allow Remote Assistance connections to this computer check box, and then select OK.
- Add additional attack surface reduction rules and set them to warn mode. Enable the Group Policy `Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Microsoft Defender Antivirus\Microsoft Defender Exploit Guard\Attack surface reduction\Configure Attack Surface Reduction rules`. Select `Show...` and add the following [rule IDs](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/attack-surface-reduction-rules-reference?view=o365-worldwide#asr-rule-to-guid-matrix) in the Value Name column. Then change the status of all rules to 6 in the Value column.
```
56a863a9-875e-4185-98a7-b882c64b5ce5
d1e49aac-8f56-4280-b9ba-993a6d77406c
01443614-cd74-433a-b99e-2ecdc07bfc25
```
- Execute the following command from an elevated command prompt:
- Enable [additional mitigations](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/kb4073119-windows-client-guidance-for-it-pros-to-protect-against-silicon-based-microarchitectural-and-speculative-execution-side-channel-vulnerabilities-35820a8a-ae13-1299-88cc-357f104f5b11) against silicon-based microarchitectural and speculative execution side-channel vulnerabilities without disabling Hyper-Threading (also known as Simultaneous Multi Threading (SMT)) by executing the following command from an elevated command prompt.
Enable additional mitigations against silicon-based microarchitectural and speculative execution side-channel vulnerabilities with Hyper-Threading disabled by executing the following command from an elevated command prompt.
Windows collects [three categories](https://query.prod.cms.rt.microsoft.com/cms/api/am/binary/RW1iLkl) of personal data: Windows Diagnostic Data, Account Data, and Windows Required Service Data.
### Windows Diagnostic Data
Enable the Group Policy `Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Data Collection And Preview Builds\Allow Diagnostic Data` and set it to `Diagnostic data off (not recommended)`.
### Account Data
Enable the Group Policy `Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Data Collection And Preview Builds\Allow Diagnostic Data` and set it to `Diagnostic data off (not recommended)`.
