Documentation · Policy appendix
Kernel protection
Every setting of the “Kernel protection” package with its effect, value and recommending sources.
since 0.9.8.11
Purpose
This page lists every setting of the “Kernel protection” package: what it does, which value Setup Foundry sets and who recommends it. It is generated from the catalog and never edited by hand.
7 settings.
Notes
Enable Structured Exception Handling Overwrite Protection (SEHOP)
A REG_DWORD value of 0 enables Structured Exception Handling Overwrite Protection (SEHOP) system-wide. SEHOP mitigates exploits that use memory corruption to alter the chain of Windows Structured Exception Handling (SEH) handlers.
- Technical:
- Registry value:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\kernel\DisableExceptionChainValidation = 0 (REG_DWORD)
- Registry value:
- Switch in the app: Policies › Kernel protection
- In detail: Enable Structured Exception Handling Overwrite Protection (SEHOP)
- Source: Microsoft Learn: Exploit protection reference – Validate exception chains (SEHOP)
- Recommended by: Windows 11 v25H2 Security Baseline
Turn On Virtualization Based Security
This computer policy controls Virtualization-based Security (VBS) and several protections that use it. VBS uses hardware virtualization and the Windows hypervisor to create a secure environment isolated from the normal operating system. Windows can host security services in this environment and protect selected resources even if the regular operating-system kernel is compromised.
- Technical:
- Policy:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard\RequirePlatformSecurityFeatures = 1 (REG_DWORD)
- Policy:
- Switch in the app: Policies › Kernel protection
- In detail: Turn On Virtualization Based Security
- Source: Microsoft Learn: Policy CSP – DeviceGuard
- Recommended by: Windows 11 v25H2 Security Baseline · ACSC/ASD: Hardening Microsoft Windows 11 workstations · BSI SiSyPHuS Win10, Arbeitspaket 11: Konfigurationsempfehlungen zur Härtung von Windows 10 mit Bordmitteln, Abschnitt 5.2.2.1 · CIS Benchmark (Windows 11) · Microsoft Learn
Turn On Virtualization Based Security
This computer policy controls Virtualization-based Security (VBS) and several protections that use it. VBS uses hardware virtualization and the Windows hypervisor to create a secure environment isolated from the normal operating system. Windows can host security services in this environment and protect selected resources even if the regular operating-system kernel is compromised.
- Technical:
- Policy:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard\HVCIMATRequired = 1 (REG_DWORD)
- Policy:
- Switch in the app: Policies › Kernel protection
- In detail: Turn On Virtualization Based Security
- Source: Microsoft Learn: Policy CSP – DeviceGuard
- Recommended by: Windows 11 v25H2 Security Baseline
Turn On Virtualization Based Security
This computer policy controls Virtualization-based Security (VBS) and several protections that use it. VBS uses hardware virtualization and the Windows hypervisor to create a secure environment isolated from the normal operating system. Windows can host security services in this environment and protect selected resources even if the regular operating-system kernel is compromised.
- Technical:
- Policy:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard\ConfigureSystemGuardLaunch = 1 (REG_DWORD)
- Policy:
- Switch in the app: Policies › Kernel protection
- In detail: Turn On Virtualization Based Security
- Source: Microsoft Learn: Policy CSP – DeviceGuard
- Recommended by: Windows 11 v25H2 Security Baseline
Turn On Virtualization Based Security
This computer policy controls Virtualization-based Security (VBS) and several protections that use it. VBS uses hardware virtualization and the Windows hypervisor to create a secure environment isolated from the normal operating system. Windows can host security services in this environment and protect selected resources even if the regular operating-system kernel is compromised.
- Technical:
- Policy:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard\EnableVirtualizationBasedSecurity = 1 (REG_DWORD)
- Policy:
- Switch in the app: Policies › Kernel protection
- In detail: Turn On Virtualization Based Security
- Source: Microsoft Learn: Policy CSP – DeviceGuard
- Recommended by: Windows 11 v25H2 Security Baseline · ACSC/ASD: Hardening Microsoft Windows 11 workstations · BSI SiSyPHuS Win10, Arbeitspaket 11: Konfigurationsempfehlungen zur Härtung von Windows 10 mit Bordmitteln, Abschnitt 5.2.2.1 · CIS Benchmark (Windows 11) · Microsoft Learn
Turn On Virtualization Based Security
This computer policy controls Virtualization-based Security (VBS) and several protections that use it. VBS uses hardware virtualization and the Windows hypervisor to create a secure environment isolated from the normal operating system. Windows can host security services in this environment and protect selected resources even if the regular operating-system kernel is compromised.
- Technical:
- Policy:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard\ConfigureKernelShadowStacksLaunch = 1 (REG_DWORD)
- Policy:
- Switch in the app: Policies › Kernel protection
- In detail: Turn On Virtualization Based Security
- Source: Microsoft Learn: Policy CSP – DeviceGuard
- Recommended by: Windows 11 v25H2 Security Baseline
Turn On Virtualization Based Security
This computer policy controls Virtualization-based Security (VBS) and several protections that use it. VBS uses hardware virtualization and the Windows hypervisor to create a secure environment isolated from the normal operating system. Windows can host security services in this environment and protect selected resources even if the regular operating-system kernel is compromised.
- Technical:
- Policy:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\DeviceGuard\HypervisorEnforcedCodeIntegrity = 1 (REG_DWORD)
- Policy:
- Switch in the app: Policies › Kernel protection
- In detail: Turn On Virtualization Based Security
- Source: Microsoft Learn: Policy CSP – DeviceGuard
- Recommended by: Windows 11 v25H2 Security Baseline · BSI SiSyPHuS Win10, Arbeitspaket 11: Konfigurationsempfehlungen zur Härtung von Windows 10 mit Bordmitteln, Abschnitt 5.2.2.2 · Microsoft Learn