Windows 7 has introduced a new security feature which helps to prevent unauthorized software from running, this new feature is called AppLocker.

Till now I have written a lot of Windows 7 Tweaking articles like What is the Windows Experience Index and How To tweak it and How To Format USB drive into NTFS format, today after a long time I am writing a Windows Security based article, First I was about to write a complete tutorial on it but than I find a screen cast at Technet which completely explains what is AppLocker and How to use it. So in this Post I have just provided a small overview of AppLocker and had attached a Screen cast at the end of post.

As the name says, AppLocker restrict/locks applications from running on Windows 7 desktops by locking them. For e.g. you can lock application like Chat Messenger, Internet Explorer, Microsoft Office, Notepad etc. AppLocker supports three types of rules – Path Rules, File Hash Rules, and Publisher Rules.

Path Rules enable you to restrict the execution of programs to a certain directory path.
Hash Rules use a cryptographic hash of the executable to identify a legitimate program.
Publisher Rules identify an application based on a digital signature of the application that was issued by the publisher.

Powerful, yet easy to administer

Windows 7 offers new application control policies with AppLocker, a flexible, easy-to-use mechanism that enables IT professionals to specify exactly what is allowed to run on user desktops. AppLocker restricts unauthorized software while allowing applications, installation programs, and scripts that users need. With this capability, IT professionals can realize the security, operational, and compliance benefits of application standardization.

AppLocker Screencast by Aviraj Ajgekar

This screencast provides technical guidance on how AppLocker works and how to effectively plan and deploy AppLocker policies.

AppLocker is available in Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows 7 Ultimate, and Windows 7 Enterprise.

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