[REQ-PAW-072] Configure Family Options UI Lockdown for PAWs

Target Scope

• Applicable Systems: Privileged Access Workstations (PAWs) used for Tier 0 directory administration.
• Operating Systems: Windows 10 Enterprise (1607+) and Windows 11 Enterprise.

Implementation Details

• Priority: Low
• GPO Path / Registry Location:
  • GPO Path: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Security\Family options
  • Registry Location:
    • HKLM\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender Security Center\Family options
      • UILockdown = 1 (REG_DWORD)

Rationale

Locking down non-essential components of the Windows Security Center interface prevents users from tampering with parental or diagnostic UI controls on enterprise assets.

Legacy Impact & Compatibility

None.

Implementation Steps

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

1. Navigate to: Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Windows Security\Family options
2. Set 'Hide the Family options area' to 'Enabled'

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

Download Script: Configure-PawDefenderFamilyLockdown.ps1

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

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

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

Sources & Compliance References

• CIS Microsoft Windows 10 Benchmark: Section 18.9 (Windows Defender Antivirus configuration parameters)
• ANSSI Active Directory Hardening Guide: Protective controls baselines on Privileged Access Workstations