AppLocker Overview

Applies To: Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows Server 2012, Windows Server 2012 R2

This topic lists AppLocker documentation resources for the IT professional that include product evaluation, getting started guides, procedures, design and deployment guides, technical references, and command references.

You can use AppLocker as part of your overall security strategy for the following scenarios:

• Help prevent malicious software (malware) and unsupported applications from affecting computers in your environment.

• Prevent users from installing and using unauthorized applications.

• Implement application control policy to satisfy portions of your security policy or compliance requirements in your organization.

You can access all the documentation about AppLocker through the AppLocker Overview in the Windows Server Technical Library.

What’s New

To see the changes in functionality in AppLocker, see AppLocker Overview.

Explore

• Frequently Asked Questions

  This FAQ provides answers to common questions about AppLocker.

• AppLocker Demo

  This screencast demonstrates the main features of AppLocker introduced in Windows 7.

Plan and deploy

• AppLocker Step-by-Step Guide

  This guide for the IT professional provides step-by-step procedures for using AppLocker and PowerShell commands to restrict the use of applications in a test environment.

• AppLocker Policies Design Guide

  This guide introduces the design and planning steps required to deploy application control policies by using AppLocker.

• AppLocker Policies Deployment Guide

  This guide provides steps based on your design and planning investigation for deploying application control policies by using AppLocker. It is intended for security architects, security administrators, and system administrators.

• AppLocker Technical Reference

  This technical reference describes AppLocker, how it works, security considerations, tools, and settings. It also contains links to the AppLocker cmdlets in the Windows PowerShell command reference. Information about specific security issues you need to consider when planning for an AppLocker deployment or administering AppLocker is contained in the Security Considerations for AppLocker topic of this technical reference.

• Packaged apps and Packaged app installer rules in AppLocker

  This topic explains the AppLocker rule collection for packaged apps and packaged app installers introduced in Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8.

Operate

• Administering AppLocker

  This guide contains the procedures and steps necessary to implement application control policies by using AppLocker and is intended for system administrators or security administrators who are responsible for restricting application usage within organizational units or business groups.

• Monitoring Application Usage with AppLocker

  This topic shows you how to evaluate how the AppLocker policy is currently implemented for documentation for audit purposes, or before you modify the policy.

• Optimizing AppLocker Performance

  This topic describes how to optimize AppLocker policy enforcement.

• Use AppLocker and Software Restriction Policies in the same domain

  This topic describes concepts and procedures to help you manage your application control strategy using Software Restriction Policies and AppLocker.

• AppLocker PowerShell Command Reference

  This reference overview topic introduces the five Windows PowerShell cmdlets that can be used to help manage AppLocker policies.

• Windows PowerShell Blog: Getting Started with AppLocker management using PowerShell

  The Windows PowerShell Blog provides information about using Windows PowerShell cmdlets for AppLocker.