- Microsoft is going to strengthen the security levels of Windows 11
- A ‘Windows Basic Security Mode’ will mean that only properly signed applications and drivers will be allowed to run.
- An app permission system similar to what we see now on smartphones will be implemented.
Windows 11 is set for stronger security levels, with Microsoft proposing a stronger base level of defenses and an app-by-app permission system of “allow access” prompts that will be familiar to users of the best Android phones and the best iPhones.
Windows Latest highlighted that Microsoft just published a blog post discussing ways it will strengthen the security of Windows 11.
Microsoft describes the problem like this: “[Windows 11] Users are increasingly seeing apps override their settings, install additional software, or alter core Windows experiences without their knowledge or consent.
“And their feedback is clear: Windows must remain an open and secure platform by default, protecting the integrity of your experience regardless of the apps installed. Our developers and ecosystem partners echo this need.”
There is a line here between convenience and security, which Microsoft effectively seeks to shift a bit towards the latter. While it’s all very well not to be affected by security prompts and be able to install whatever you want (from anywhere) without interference from the operating system, the software giant clearly feels that it has erred too much on this side of the equation and wants to rebalance in favor of stronger defenses.
One of the central pillars of what Microsoft is taking is a ‘Windows Basic Security Mode’ whereby various safeguards will be enabled by default. The result is that Windows 11 will only allow properly signed (Microsoft certified) applications and drivers to run.
There will be ways to bypass this protection, if you have legacy applications, for example, that are unsigned and you know they are secure. But by default, Windows 11 will not allow the use of unsigned apps to better protect users.
The other big step here is to improve transparency and user consent, i.e. app permissions. As noted at the beginning, Microsoft is gravitating toward a smartphone security model where apps must obtain permission before accessing your camera or microphone, for example; you must actively “allow” it. The idea is to prevent apps from sneakily accessing your webcam or other hardware.
Similarly, if an app tries to stealthily install other software (something malicious or unwanted), the user’s permission will be required.
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While this is not a concrete vision of the future of security in Windows 11, the blog post makes it seem like this is all happening, although it will take time and will be “implemented using a phased approach.” Microsoft also emphasizes that it will take feedback into account as it moves forward to refine these concepts.
While more permission requests on the Windows 11 desktop may seem a little tedious at first glance, a stricter security level is a good idea in many ways. Especially considering that since Windows is by far the most prevalent desktop operating system, users are the target of much of the malware out there. (Don’t make the mistake of thinking Macs are invulnerable to malware, especially these days.)
However, in my opinion, there is something more behind this: it is about building trust in Windows 11 before the launch of artificial intelligence agents in the operating system.
Confidence in Windows 11 is arguably at an all-time low as more and more bugs are introduced into the operating system, and Microsoft has already promised to do better in this regard (as well as addressing slow performance in some areas of the operating system).
How can Microsoft expect people to let AI agents monitor their files and trust these entities if Windows 11 can’t even be kept remotely bug-free with basic parts of the interface? This is a major issue, one that Microsoft needs to look at, and this security work is likely part of addressing these trust issues and restoring Windows 11’s reputation so that it is seen as a more robust and trustworthy platform.
In particular, Microsoft mentions AI agents in the blog post, noting that: “Applications and AI agents are also expected to meet higher transparency standards, giving both users and IT administrators better visibility into their behaviors. These updates raise the level of security and privacy in Windows, while giving you more control and confidence over how your system and data are accessed.”
I think restoring the aforementioned reputation is vital work to ensure that Windows 11 is on good footing in the future, and at least Microsoft seems to be recognizing it and taking it very seriously.
Ultimately, the outcome of this will depend on the implementation, and while “raising the bar” in this way, as Microsoft describes it, is a good idea to keep Windows 11 users safer, the danger is that if the “bar” gets in the way of a smooth computing experience on the operating system, it could end up being a source of frustration.
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