Have you ever wondered if it's possible to block an executable file (EXE) from running, except when it's called by a specific program? Well, the answer is yes! With the help of Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC), you can easily achieve this level of control over your system's security. In this article, we will explore how to use WDAC to block an EXE unless it's called by a specific program.
What is WDAC?
Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) is a security feature provided by Microsoft that helps protect your computer from malicious software. It allows you to control which applications are allowed to run on your system, giving you an extra layer of security against potential threats.
Why would you want to block an EXE?
Blocking an EXE file can be useful in various scenarios. For example, you might want to prevent a specific program from running any other executable files that could potentially harm your system. By allowing only the trusted program to call the EXE, you can significantly reduce the risk of malware infections or unauthorized access to your computer.
Setting up WDAC
Before we dive into the process of blocking an EXE except when called by a specific program, let's first ensure that WDAC is properly set up on your system. Here's how you can do it:
- Open the Windows Security app by searching for it in the Start menu.
- Click on "App & browser control" in the left-hand menu.
- Under the "Isolated browsing" section, click on "Change application control settings."
- Make sure the toggle switch for "Check apps and files" is turned on.
- Click on "Manage settings" to customize your application control settings.
- Under the "Code integrity policies" section, select "Enabled" to enable WDAC.
- Save your changes and exit the Windows Security app.
Blocking an EXE except when called by a specific program
Now that WDAC is enabled on your system, let's proceed with blocking an EXE file unless it's called by a specific program. We'll use PowerShell to create a rule that allows the trusted program to call the EXE. Here's how:
- Open PowerShell by searching for it in the Start menu.
- Run the following command to create a new WDAC policy rule:
New-CIPolicy -FilePath "C:\Path\To\Your\Policy.xml" -Level FilePublisher -Fallback Hash
Make sure to replace "C:\Path\To\Your\Policy.xml" with the actual file path where you want to save the policy file.
- Next, run the following command to add an exception to the policy rule for the trusted program:
Add-CIPolicyRule -FilePath "C:\Path\To\Your\Policy.xml" -UserPEs -Path "C:\Path\To\Your\Trusted\Program.exe" -Fallback Hash
Replace "C:\Path\To\Your\Policy.xml" with the file path of the policy file you created in step 2, and "C:\Path\To\Your\Trusted\Program.exe" with the actual file path of the trusted program on your system.
- Finally, run the following command to enforce the WDAC policy:
Set-RuleOption -FilePath "C:\Path\To\Your\Policy.xml" -Option Enforcement
Again, replace "C:\Path\To\Your\Policy.xml" with the file path of your policy file.
That's it! You have successfully blocked the EXE file from running, except when called by the specific program you specified. Now, if any other program or user tries to execute the EXE, WDAC will prevent it from running.
Conclusion
Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) is a powerful tool that allows you to control which applications can run on your system. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily block an EXE file from running, unless it's called by a specific program. This provides an additional layer of security for your computer, protecting it from potential threats and unauthorized access.
References
| Number | Source |
|---|---|
| 1 | Windows Defender Application Control documentation |
| 2 | Microsoft PowerShell documentation |