AppLocker - Windows Installer Rules
Controls which .msi, .msp, .mst files can run.
- Policy path
- Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Application Control Policies > AppLocker > Windows Installer Rules
- Supported on
- Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016 and later
Controls which .msi, .msp, .mst files can run. Security baselines recommend setting it to Allow signed MSI only or restrict to admins.
Description
AppLocker - Windows Installer Rules is a Windows Group Policy setting located under Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Application Control Policies > AppLocker > Windows Installer Rules. It applies to the Computer Configuration branch and is classified as a Warning-level policy in the AppLocker & Software Restriction category.
Controls which .msi, .msp, .mst files can run.
Microsoft sets the default value to Not configured while industry security baselines (CIS, NIST, DISA STIG) recommend Allow signed MSI only or restrict to admins.
In-depth explanation
This setting has a meaningful impact on the security posture or operational stability of the system. Leaving it at the Microsoft default is acceptable for standalone or low-risk environments, but most security baselines (CIS, NIST, DISA STIG) explicitly call for hardening it before the device is exposed to untrusted users or networks.
The policy is grouped under AppLocker & Software Restriction, which means it is typically applied through a domain-wide GPO linked at the OU level. In a multi-tenant MSP context, scope it through WMI filters or security group filtering rather than linking at the domain root, so that you can roll out progressively (pilot OU → wider rings → all production).
The setting takes effect after the next Group Policy refresh (gpupdate /force for immediate testing, or by default within ~90 minutes for workstations and ~5 minutes on domain controllers). For computer-side policies a reboot may be required; for user-side policies, a sign-off/sign-on cycle is enough.
Use cases
- Apply organization-wide hardening of applocker & software restriction on all domain-joined Windows endpoints.
- Roll out a CIS Benchmark-aligned baseline targeting 'AppLocker - Windows Installer Rules' via a dedicated GPO.
- Reduce attack surface for accounts that handle privileged credentials or sensitive data.
- Standardize the configuration across multiple customer tenants for an MSP-managed fleet.
Security implications
Leaving this policy at default does not directly grant an attacker access, but it widens the blast radius once initial access is obtained – passwords are easier to guess, lockout doesn't fire, audit trails are incomplete, or lateral movement is quieter. Most regulators and cyber-insurance underwriters now expect this control to be in place at least at the recommended level.
How to configure
- Open Group Policy Management Console (
gpmc.msc) on a domain controller or a workstation with RSAT installed. - Create or edit a GPO linked to the OU containing the target computer configurations. We recommend a dedicated baseline GPO (e.g. SEC – AppLocker & Software Restriction) instead of editing Default Domain Policy.
- Navigate to
Computer Configuration > Windows Settings > Security Settings > Application Control Policies > AppLocker > Windows Installer Rules. - Open AppLocker - Windows Installer Rules and set it to
Allow signed MSI only or restrict to admins. - Click OK and close the editor.
- On the target endpoint, run
gpupdate /force(or wait for the next refresh cycle), then verify withrsop.mscorgpresult /h report.html.