AppLocker Technical Overview

Applies To: Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012

This technical overview for the IT professional provides a description of AppLocker™ and can help you decide if you can benefit from deploying AppLocker policies. AppLocker is an application control feature in Windows Server® 2008 R2 and Windows® 7.

For Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8, see the AppLocker Technical Overview in the Windows Server 2012 TechNet Library.

• What Is AppLocker?

  This topic describes what AppLocker is and how its features differ from Software Restriction Policies.

• Requirements to Use AppLocker

  This topic lists the software requirements to use AppLocker in Windows Server 2008 R2 and Windows 7.

• When to Use AppLocker

  This topic describes the scenarios and applications for which AppLocker is useful.

• AppLocker Policy Use Scenarios

  This topic explains application control scenarios in which AppLocker policies can be effectively implemented.

Additional resources

• For links and descriptions to current documentation, see AppLocker.

• For scripting syntax and examples to administer AppLocker, see the AppLocker PowerShell Command Reference.

• For a downloadable version of this document, see AppLocker Technical Overview in the Microsoft Download Center.