Lsass.exe audit mode
Verified with Microsoft Security Baseline (MSS / SecGuide) 25H2 — updated on July 10, 2026
Supported on: At least Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1
Path in the GPO console
Computer Configuration\Administrative Templates\MS Security Guide Description
Enable auditing of Lsass.exe to evaluate feasibility of enabling LSA protection. For more information, see http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/dn408187.aspx
Registry
HKLM
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\LSASS.exe Value name: AuditLevel
Enabled: AuditLevel = 8
Disabled: AuditLevel = 0
Export Builder
BETAConfigure the state, scope and options, then generate .reg, PowerShell, Intune and SCCM outputs — or add the setting to a multi-setting collection.
These exports write the registry — this is not a managed GPO. ⓘ
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: Lsass.exe audit mode
; State: Enabled
; Supported on: At least Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\LSASS.exe]
"AuditLevel"=dword:00000008More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Lsass.exe audit mode
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1
$path = 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\LSASS.exe'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'AuditLevel' -Value 8 -Type DWordIntune XML
No direct Policy CSP / OMA-URI mapping for this policy. Use the Intune Remediation tab, or ingest the ADMX in Intune.Intune Remediation
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Lsass.exe audit mode
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\LSASS.exe' -Name 'AuditLevel' -Expected 8 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Lsass.exe audit mode
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1
$path = 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\LSASS.exe'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'AuditLevel' -Value 8 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Lsass.exe audit mode
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1
# SCCM Configuration Item guidance:
# Create a Configuration Item of type "Setting: Script".
# Discovery script: use the Detection script below.
# Remediation script: use the Remediation script below.
# Compliance rule: the Discovery script output equals 'Compliant'.
# === Detection script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Lsass.exe audit mode
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1
function Test-RegistryValue {
param(
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Path,
[Parameter(Mandatory = $true)][string]$Name,
[object]$Expected,
[ValidateSet('String', 'DWord', 'MultiString')][string]$Kind = 'String',
[switch]$Absent
)
try {
$item = Get-ItemProperty -LiteralPath $Path -Name $Name -ErrorAction Stop
} catch {
return $Absent.IsPresent
}
if ($Absent.IsPresent) { return $false }
$actual = $item.$Name
if ($Kind -eq 'DWord') { return ([int64]$actual) -eq ([int64]$Expected) }
if ($Kind -eq 'MultiString') {
$actualValues = @($actual)
$expectedValues = @($Expected)
if ($actualValues.Count -ne $expectedValues.Count) { return $false }
for ($i = 0; $i -lt $expectedValues.Count; $i++) {
if ([string]$actualValues[$i] -ne [string]$expectedValues[$i]) { return $false }
}
return $true
}
return [string]$actual -eq [string]$Expected
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\LSASS.exe' -Name 'AuditLevel' -Expected 8 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: Lsass.exe audit mode
# State: Enabled
# Supported on: At least Windows Server 2012 R2, Windows 8.1 or Windows RT 8.1
$path = 'HKLM:\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\LSASS.exe'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'AuditLevel' -Value 8 -Type DWordBuilding a multi-setting collection? Add this setting and generate combined .reg / PowerShell / GPO scripts.