System objects: Strengthen default permissions of internal system objects (e.g. Symbolic Links)
Verified with Windows Security Options 25H2 — updated on July 13, 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\Security Options\System objects Description
This setting applies stronger default discretionary permissions to internal system objects such as symbolic links. It is enabled by default. Disabling it can preserve compatibility with obsolete applications, but may let non-administrative users modify objects that affect other users or services.
Registry
HKLM
System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager Value name: ProtectionMode
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. ⓘ
Security policy setting: a domain GPO (Security Settings) can overwrite this registry value at the next policy refresh. Prefer configuring it via GPMC > Security Options.
.reg file
Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00
; Exported from gporais.com
; Policy: System objects: Strengthen default permissions of internal system objects (e.g. Symbolic Links)
; State: Enabled
[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager]
"ProtectionMode"=dword:00000001
"ProtectionMode"=dword:00000000More formats (PowerShell, Intune, SCCM)
PowerShell
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: System objects: Strengthen default permissions of internal system objects (e.g. Symbolic Links)
# State: Enabled
$path = 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ProtectionMode' -Value 1 -Type DWord
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ProtectionMode' -Value 0 -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: System objects: Strengthen default permissions of internal system objects (e.g. Symbolic Links)
# State: Enabled
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
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager' -Name 'ProtectionMode' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager' -Name 'ProtectionMode' -Expected 0 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: System objects: Strengthen default permissions of internal system objects (e.g. Symbolic Links)
# State: Enabled
$path = 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ProtectionMode' -Value 1 -Type DWord
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ProtectionMode' -Value 0 -Type DWordSCCM scripts
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: System objects: Strengthen default permissions of internal system objects (e.g. Symbolic Links)
# State: Enabled
# 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: System objects: Strengthen default permissions of internal system objects (e.g. Symbolic Links)
# State: Enabled
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
}
$checks = @(
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager' -Name 'ProtectionMode' -Expected 1 -Kind DWord)
(Test-RegistryValue -Path 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager' -Name 'ProtectionMode' -Expected 0 -Kind DWord)
)
if ($checks -notcontains $false) {
Write-Output 'Compliant'
exit 0
}
Write-Output 'Non-compliant'
exit 1
# === Remediation script ===
# Exported from gporais.com
# Policy: System objects: Strengthen default permissions of internal system objects (e.g. Symbolic Links)
# State: Enabled
$path = 'HKLM:\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager'
New-Item -Path $path -Force | Out-Null
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ProtectionMode' -Value 1 -Type DWord
Set-ItemProperty -Path $path -Name 'ProtectionMode' -Value 0 -Type DWord