How to Use AppLocker to Allow or Block Script Files from Running in Windows 10


AppLocker helps you control which apps and files users can run. These include executable files, scripts, Windows Installer files, dynamic-link libraries (DLLs), packaged apps (aka: Microsoft Store apps), and packaged app installers.

AppLocker defines script rules to include only the .ps1, .bat, .cmd, .vbs, and .js file formats.

The following table lists the default rules that are available for the script rule collection.

Any script file not allowed by the default rules below will automatically be blocked by default unless you create a new rule to allow it for a user or group.

If you want to block a script file allowed by the default rules below, you will need to create a new rule to block (deny) it for a user or group.

Purpose	Name	User	Rule condition type
Allows members of the local Administrators group to run all scripts	(Default Rule) All scripts	BUILTIN\Administrators	Path: *
Allow all users to run scripts in the Windows folder	(Default Rule) All scripts located in the Windows folder	Everyone	Path: %windir%*
Allow all users to run scripts in the Program Files folder	(Default Rule) All scripts located in the Program Files folder	Everyone	Path: %programfiles%*

See also:

• AppLocker (Windows 10) | Microsoft Docs
• What Is AppLocker (Windows 10) | Microsoft Docs
• ​How AppLocker works (Windows 10) | Microsoft Docs
• Requirements to use AppLocker (Windows 10) | Microsoft Docs
• Script rules in AppLocker (Windows 10) | Microsoft Docs
• Removal of Windows edition checks for AppLocker

This tutorial will show you how to use AppLocker to allow or block specified script (.ps1, .bat, .cmd, .vbs, and .js) files to run for all or specific users and groups in Windows 10 Enterprise and Windows 10 Education.

You must be signed in as an administrator to use AppLocker.


Here's How:

1. Open an elevated command prompt.

2. Copy and paste the command below into the elevated command prompt, press Enter, and close the elevated command prompt when it has finished. (see screenshot below)

This command is to make sure the Application Identity service is enabled, set to Automatic, and running. AppLocker cannot enforce rules if this service is not running.

sc config "AppIDSvc" start=auto & net start "AppIDSvc"

3. Open Local Security Policy (secpol.msc).

4. Expand open Application Control Policies in the left pane of the Local Security Policy window, click/tap on AppLocker, and click/tap on the Configure rule enforcement link on the right side. (see screenshot below)

5. Check the Configured box under Script rules, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

6. Expand open AppLocker in the left pane of the Local Security Policy window, right click or press and hold on Script Rules, and click/tap on Create Default Rules. (see screenshots below)

If this step is not done, AppLocker will block all script files from running by default unless allowed by a created rule.

7. Right click or press and hold on Script Rules, and click/tap on Create New Rule. (see screenshot below)

8. Click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

9. If you would like to specify a user or group to enforce this rule on, click/tap on Select. (see screenshot below)

The default setting is Everyone for all users and groups.

A) Click/tap on the Advanced button. (see screenshot below)

B) Click/tap on the Find Now button. (see screenshot below)

C) Select a user or group you want, and click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

D) Click/tap on OK. (see screenshot below)

10. Select (dot) Allow or Deny for what you want, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

11. Select (dot) Path, and click/tap on Next. (see screenshot below)

12. Do step 14 (file) or step 15 (folder/drive) below for the file or folder path you want to specify to allow or block.

 13. To Specify a Script File Path to Allow or Block

A) Click/tap on the Browse Files button. (see screenshot below)

B) Select if you want to allow or block a .ps1, .bat, .cmd, .vbs, or .js file in the drop menu at the bottom right corner. (see screenshots below)

C) Navigate to and select the .ps1, .bat, .cmd, .vbs, or .js file you want to allow or block.

D) Click/tap on Open, and go to step 15 below.

 14. To Specify a Folder or Drive Path to Allow or Block All Script Files in the Folder or Drive

A) Click/tap on the Browse Folders button. (see screenshot below)

B) Navigate to and select a folder or drive you want to allow or block all script (.ps1, .bat, .cmd, .vbs, and .js) files in.

C) Click/tap on OK, and go to step 15 below.

15. Click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below)

16. Click/tap on Next. (see screenshots below)

17. Click/tap on Create. (see screenshots below)

18. Your new rule for "Script Rules" will now be created. (see screenshot below)

19. Repeat steps 7 to 18 if you would like to create another new rule to allow or block another script file for a user or group.

20. When finished, you can close the Local Security Policy window.


That's it,
Shawn Brink

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