Deploy App Control policies by using Microsoft Configuration Manager
Note
Some capabilities of App Control for Business are only available on specific Windows versions. Learn more about App Control feature availability.
You can use Microsoft Configuration Manager to configure App Control for Business on client machines.
Use Configuration Manager's built-in policies
Configuration Manager includes native support for App Control, which allows you to configure Windows 10 and Windows 11 client computers with a policy that will only allow:
- Windows components
- Microsoft Store apps
- Apps installed by Configuration Manager (Configuration Manager self-configured as a managed installer)
- (Optional) Reputable apps as defined by the Intelligent Security Graph (ISG)
- (Optional) Apps and executables already installed in admin-definable folder locations that Configuration Manager will allow through a one-time scan during policy creation on managed endpoints.
Configuration Manager doesn't remove policies once deployed. To stop enforcement, you should switch the policy to audit mode, which will produce the same effect. If you want to disable App Control for Business altogether (including audit mode), you can deploy a script to delete the policy file from disk, and either trigger a reboot or wait for the next reboot.
Create an App Control Policy in Configuration Manager
Select Asset and Compliance > Endpoint Protection > App Control for Business > Create Application Control Policy
Enter the name of the policy > Next
Enable Enforce a restart of devices so that this policy can be enforced for all processes
Select the mode that you want the policy to run (Enforcement enabled / Audit Only)
Select Next
Select Add to begin creating rules for trusted software
Select File or Folder to create a path rule > Browse
Select the executable or folder for your path rule > OK
Select OK to add the rule to the table of trusted files or folder
Select Next to navigate to the summary page > Close
Deploy the App Control policy in Configuration Manager
Right-click the newly created policy > Deploy Application Control Policy
Select Browse
Select the Device Collection you created earlier > OK
Change the schedule > OK
For more information on using Configuration Manager's native App Control policies, see App Control for Business management with Configuration Manager.
Download the entire App Control in Configuration Manager lab paper.
Deploy custom App Control policies using Packages/Programs or Task Sequences
Using Configuration Manager's built-in policies can be a helpful starting point, but customers may find the circle-of-trust options available in Configuration Manager too limiting. To define your own circle-of-trust, you can use Configuration Manager to deploy custom App Control policies using script-based deployment via Software Distribution Packages and Programs or Operating System Deployment Task Sequences.