[REQ-DC-095] Disable Generic Reports on Domain Controllers

Target Scope

• Applicable Systems: Domain Controllers.
• Operating Systems: Windows Server 2016 (and above).

Implementation Details

• Priority: Medium
• GPO Path / Registry Location:
  • GPO Path: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Defender Antivirus\Reporting
  • Registry Location:
    • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender
      • DisableGenericRePorts = 1 (REG_DWORD)

Rationale

Disabling generic telemetry and reports on Domain Controllers restricts the transmission of potentially sensitive metadata or environment data regarding Tier 0 directory services to external cloud resources.

Legacy Impact & Compatibility

Limits some automated telemetry diagnostics sent to Microsoft support logs.

Implementation Steps

Option A: Group Policy Object (GPO) Configuration (Preferred)

1. Navigate to: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Defender Antivirus\Reporting
2. Set 'Configure generic reports' to 'Disabled' (or set DisableGenericRePorts = 1)

Option B: PowerShell & Registry Configuration (Remediation / Non-GPO)

Download Script: Configure-DefenderDisableGenericReports.ps1

# Configure-DefenderDisableGenericReports.ps1
$Path = "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender"
if (-not (Test-Path $Path)) { New-Item -Path $Path -Force | Out-Null }
Set-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name "DisableGenericRePorts" -Value 1 -Type DWord -Force

To audit the hardening status: Download Script: Get-DefenderDisableGenericReportsStatus.ps1

# Get-DefenderDisableGenericReportsStatus.ps1
$Path = "HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender"
$Reg = Get-ItemProperty -Path $Path -Name "DisableGenericRePorts" -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue
if ($Reg -and $Reg.DisableGenericRePorts -eq 1) {
    Write-Output "Compliant"
    exit 0
} else {
    Write-Output "Non-Compliant"
    exit 1
}

Sources & Compliance References

• CIS Microsoft Windows Server Benchmark: Section 18.9 (Windows Defender Antivirus configuration parameters)
• ANSSI Active Directory Hardening Guide: Protective controls baselines on Domain Controllers