Audit privilege use
Verified with Windows Security Options 25H2 — updated on July 25, 2026
Security policy
This is a Security Options policy (Windows Settings > Security Settings), applied by the security engine — not an Administrative Template (ADMX). In GPMC/gpedit it is configured under Local Policies > Security Options.
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Windows Settings\Security Settings\Local Policies\Audit Policy Description
This security setting determines whether to audit each instance of a user exercising a user right. If you define this policy setting, you can specify whether to audit successes, audit failures, or not audit this type of event at all. Success audits generate an audit entry when the exercise of a user right succeeds. Failure audits generate an audit entry when the exercise of a user right fails. To set this value to No auditing, in the Properties dialog box for this policy setting, select the Define these policy settings check box and clear the Success and Failure check boxes. Default: No auditing. Audits are not generated for use of the following user rights, even if success audits or failure audits are specified for Audit privilege use. Enabling auditing of these user rights tend to generate many events in the security log which may impede your computer's performance. To audit the following user rights, enable the FullPrivilegeAuditing registry key. Bypass traverse check
Local security policy
AuditPrivilegeUse This setting has no registry key. It is stored in the local security database (LSA) and is configured through the Group Policy console or secpol.msc.