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administrative templatesComputer ConfigurationNot configured

DefaultNot configured

Prevents apps from reading diagnostic data about other apps.

10 May 20264 min
Policy path
Recommended2 (Force Deny)
Supported on
Windows 10, Windows 11, Windows Server 2016 and later

Prevents apps from reading diagnostic data about other apps.

Description

DefaultNot configured is a Windows Group Policy setting located under Recommended2 (Force Deny). It applies to the Computer Configuration branch and is classified as a Informational-level policy in the HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy\LetAppsGetDiagnostic category.

Prevents apps from reading diagnostic data about other apps.

In-depth explanation

This is primarily an operational or user-experience setting. It does not directly raise or lower the security posture, but it standardizes behavior across the fleet, which is important for predictable support, training, and troubleshooting in an MSP-managed environment.

The policy is grouped under HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy\LetAppsGetDiagnostic, 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 hklm\software\policies\microsoft\windows\appprivacy\letappsgetdiagnostic on all domain-joined Windows endpoints.
  • Roll out a CIS Benchmark-aligned baseline targeting 'DefaultNot configured' 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

This control is primarily about consistency and supportability rather than security. The main risk of leaving it unconfigured is divergence between machines, which makes troubleshooting and standardized imaging harder, especially across multiple customer tenants in an MSP context.

How to configure

  1. Open Group Policy Management Console (gpmc.msc) on a domain controller or a workstation with RSAT installed.
  2. Create or edit a GPO linked to the OU containing the target computer configurations. We recommend a dedicated baseline GPO (e.g. SEC – HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows\AppPrivacy\LetAppsGetDiagnostic) instead of editing Default Domain Policy.
  3. Navigate to Recommended2 (Force Deny).
  4. Open DefaultNot configured and set it to the value recommended by the latest CIS Benchmark for your Windows version.
  5. Click OK and close the editor.
  6. On the target endpoint, run gpupdate /force (or wait for the next refresh cycle), then verify with rsop.msc or gpresult /h report.html.

Frequently asked questions

What does the DefaultNot configured Group Policy do?
Prevents apps from reading diagnostic data about other apps.
Where do I find this setting in the GPO editor?
Open <code>gpmc.msc</code>, then navigate to <code>Recommended2 (Force Deny)</code> and look for <strong>DefaultNot configured</strong>.
How quickly does the change take effect?
After the next Group Policy refresh — run <code>gpupdate /force</code> for immediate testing or wait ~90 minutes for workstations / ~5 minutes for domain controllers. Some computer-side policies require a reboot, and some user-side policies require sign-off/sign-on.