Microsoft Defender Antivirus Security Technical Implementation Guide

The Microsoft Defender Antivirus Security Technical Implementation Guide (V2 R10) has 67 STIG checks. New to STIG checklists? Read What is a STIG checklist?, CKL vs CKLB, and STIG vs SCAP benchmark.

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Severity

Version

V2 · R10

CurrentPublished Wed Sep 30 2026

Microsoft Defender AV must enable EDR in block mode.

Microsoft Defender Antivirus Security Technical Implementation Guide

Assessment Title

Rule Text

Microsoft Defender AV must enable EDR in block mode.

Description

Discussion Text

EDR in block mode allows Microsoft Defender Antivirus to take actions on post-breach, behavioral EDR detections. EDR in block mode is integrated with threat and vulnerability management capabilities.

New to STIG checklists? Read What is a STIG checklist? and CKL vs CKLB.

Objective

V-278674

Rule

SV-278674r1192826_rule

Severity

medium

Rule Version

WNDF-AV-000070

Documentable

false

IA Controls

NIST SP 800-53

Rev 5

Assessment Procedure

Check Text

Verify the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Features >> Enable EDR in block mode is set to "Enabled"; otherwise, this is a finding.

Procedure: Use the Windows Registry Editor to navigate to the following key: 
HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Features

Criteria: If the value "PassiveRemediation" is REG_DWORD = 1, this is not a finding.

If the value is 0, this is a finding.

Implementation Procedure

Fix Text

Set the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Administrative Templates >> Windows Components >> Microsoft Defender Antivirus >> Features >> Enable EDR in block mode to "Enabled".

STIG check 60 of 67 in the Microsoft Defender Antivirus STIG checklist

← Previous · V-278672Microsoft Defender AV must enable network protection to be configured into block or audit mode on Windows Server.Next · V-278675 →Microsoft Defender AV must report Dynamic Signature dropped events.