System settings: Use Certificate Rules on Windows Executables for Software Restriction Policies

System settings: Use Certificate Rules on Windows Executables for Software Restriction Policies

This security setting determines if digital certificates are processed when a user or process attempts to run software with an .exe file name extension. This security settings is used to enable or disable certificate rules, a type of software restriction policies rule. With software restriction policies, you can create a certificate rule that will allow or disallow software that is signed by Authenticode to run, based on the digital certificate that is associated with the software. In order for certificate rules to take effect, you must enable this security setting.

When certificate rules are enabled, software restriction policies will check a certificate revocation list (CRL) to make sure the software's certificate and signature are valid. This may decrease performance when start signed programs. You can disable this feature. On Trusted Publishers Properties, clear the Publisher and Timestamp check boxes. For more information, see Set trusted publisher options.

Default: Disabled.

Policy path: 

Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Local Policies\Security Options

Supported on: 

At least Windows Vista, Windows Server 2003

Registry settings: 

MACHINE\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\Safer\CodeIdentifiers\AuthenticodeEnabled

Reboot required: 

No

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