As the prevalence of AI agents and autonomous applications grows, Microsoft is revamping Windows’ fundamental security paradigm, mandating user approval and bringing previously hidden activities to light.
Windows is a foundational element for businesses globally, powering over a billion devices and supporting countless applications. However, Microsoft recognizes that applications are increasingly operating outside intended parameters, modifying settings, installing extra components, or altering key Windows functionalities without user knowledge or explicit consent.
In response, the technology giant intends to introduce what it terms a “consent‑first” framework. This new default configuration will only permit access to applications that have been expressly approved by the user. Users will, however, maintain complete authority to grant, deny, or revoke any permission decisions. They will also gain comprehensive insight into how applications and agents are behaving.
“This initiative directly addresses widespread misuse of poorly configured systems, the theft of credentials through user-level execution, and tactics used post-exploitation,” stated Ensar Seker, CISO at SOCRadar.
Enhanced control, without sacrificing visibility
With the introduction of Windows Baseline Security Mode, protective measures at runtime will be activated by default, ensuring that only “properly signed” applications, services, and drivers are permitted to execute. Nevertheless, users and administrators will retain the capability to override these safeguards for specific applications when necessary, and they will have clear insight into which protections are active and if any exceptions have been made. Microsoft’s stated aim is to help safeguard the system from “unauthorized alterations or malicious interference.”
Furthermore, through new measures emphasizing transparency and consent, users will be prompted when applications attempt to access private data and resources, such as files, cameras, or microphones, or when they try to install “unintended software.” Users will have the option to approve or reject app requests for access to their protected data and hardware, and they can also withdraw previously granted permissions.
Microsoft describes this as a “more coherent and intuitive methodology” for how Windows communicates security decisions. The company indicates these new initiatives directly address customer demands for ” more robust, consistent security foundations” within its operating system (OS).
“Windows must retain its nature as an open platform while simultaneously being secure by default — safeguarding the integrity of your experience regardless of which applications are installed,” Logan Iyer, a Windows Platform developer, explained in a blog post.
Microsoft underlined its “long-standing commitment to being an open platform,” affirming its intention to “continue upholding the factors that have contributed to its success: the freedom to install any application and accessibility for every developer.”
Microsoft engages early with partners and developers
Microsoft states that these new measures will be implemented using a “staged approach guided by clear principles.” However, the company has not yet offered more specific information regarding the implications for enterprises or an anticipated timeline for these changes. The tech behemoth declined to provide additional specifics to Computerworld.
Microsoft did confirm that it will offer tools and APIs to facilitate adoption, enabling both users and IT administrators to observe how applications and agents behave within their systems. Existing applications deemed “well-behaved” will continue to function as before, granting developers “the necessary time and resources” to align with enhanced security and privacy standards. The company is collaborating with developers and partners, including CrowdStrike, OpenAI, Adobe, 1Password, and Raycast, on these endeavors.
“Microsoft is proactively strengthening its security posture by making fundamental protections standard rather than requiring users to opt-in,” observed Seker from SOCRadar. He highlighted that what stands out is the “explicit integration of a reinforced default setup with user-facing transparency and approval,” rather than silently enforcing controls.
“This signifies a shift from a reactive ‘security by policy’ model to a proactive ‘security by design and expectation’ approach, particularly at the operating system level, an area often under-resourced by many organizations,” Seker added.
Fundamental security is now visible
David Shipley of Beauceron Security praised Microsoft’s updated security and visibility measures.
“This will significantly mitigate a host of vulnerabilities that threat actors currently exploit with ease, representing a major advantage,” he commented. He stressed that secure behavior by default is crucial, especially amidst the rapid development of agentic AI, which would pose exponentially greater risks if insecurity were the default.
“I believe the surge in agentic AI is what finally compelled someone to say, ‘We need to address this problem now before we create even bigger ones,’” Shipley remarked.
By proactively securing common attack vectors, Microsoft aims to diminish the potential impact of phishing attacks, initial access malware, and unauthorized privilege escalation, as noted by SocRadar’s Seker. This is particularly pertinent in hybrid work and BYOD environments, where consistent endpoint security often presents challenges.
“The primary benefit lies in overcoming the ‘secure in theory, never implemented in practice’ dilemma,” Seker explained. He pointed out that default-on security baselines can significantly reduce the time required for protection and alleviate decision fatigue for IT teams.
However, he cautioned that organizations must be mindful of potential obstacles, such as friction caused by legacy applications, advanced users, and specialized workflows, which might break or necessitate exceptions. Furthermore, if these exceptions are not meticulously managed, existing security vulnerabilities could re-emerge and become even more complex.
Seker advised leaders to view this transition as a “catalyst” for streamlining endpoint environments, documenting obscure dependencies, and formalizing informal administrative privileges. Preparation should involve thoroughly testing baselines with realistic pilot groups, preemptively outlining exception handling procedures, and coordinating with helpdesk teams to prevent security controls from being rolled back due to user demands.
“From a strategic standpoint, this initiative extends beyond merely a new Windows feature; it represents an acknowledgment that foundational security is no longer an optional or hidden component,” Seker concluded.
