Hard_Configurator - GUI to Manage Software Restriction Policies and harden Windows Home OS

Started using this and recommended settings is probably safe to use?

I also added recommended H_C in firewall hardening.

 

Yes, but there are minor inconveniences:

I suggest you download and read the manual (page 13 has info on the recommended settings).
https://github.com/AndyFul/Hard_Configurator/blob/master/Documentation/Hard_Configurator%20-%20Manual.pdf

 

New beta version 6.0.0.0 beta 1 released:

https://malwaretips.com/threads/har...ening-configurator.66416/page-163#post-951603
A new standalone beta version of ConfigureDefender will probably be released in July/August.
https://malwaretips.com/threads/har...ening-configurator.66416/page-164#post-951652

 

Thanks @Gandalf_The_Grey - And special Thanks to AndyFul.

 

Thanks @EASTER and also thanks from Andy

At the moment only this beta version of Hard_Configurator and its included tools is compatible with Windows 11.

The standalone tools will get an update later.

https://malwaretips.com/threads/har...ening-configurator.66416/page-164#post-951688

 

A little help??

I've just installed Hard_Configurator and am having an issue that I've been trying to solve now for hours. Before installation I imaged with Macrium Reflect free, reset all settings in NoVirusThanks SysHardener and uninstalled it.

I have 8GadgetPack installed and it no longer auto-starts with Windows if I run Privacy Eraser before a reboot. When I check in 'Blocked Events / Security Logs' under Tools I get this:

Code:

Access to C:\Users\Dave\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\Sidebar792.lnk has been restricted by your Administrator by location with policy rule {1016bbe0-a716-428b-822e-2e544b6a3221} placed on path C:\Users\Dave\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup\*.

The 'Sidebar792.' number changes randomly and I have tried adding '???' and '***' in as a wildcard but as mentioned, after running Privacy Eraser then rebooting my machine 8GadgetPack is back to not starting with Windows.

Any suggestions?

 

@Krusty

I reported your issue to Andy. Here’s his reply.

https://malwaretips.com/threads/hard_configurator-windows-hardening-configurator.66416/post-957042

 

Hi @Azure Phoenix ,

Thank you very much for that. I'm pretty sure I followed Andy's advice in his reply but 8GadgetPack / Sidebar is still not loading after a system restart. Here's a pretty picture:



Edit:

Code:

*Autoruns : c:\users\dave\appdata\roaming\microsoft\windows\start menu\programs\startup\sidebar*.lnk  (***)        

Cheers,
Krusty

 

I had also sent him an email but I guess he hasn't had time to reply as yet.

 

https://malwaretips.com/threads/hard_configurator-windows-hardening-configurator.66416/post-957064

A Kudos from me, Andy. I sincerely appreciate your interest in this issue.

 

Andy is the best

 

for my money, among the best along with @gorhill , @The_PrivaZer_Team and @Kyle_Katarn.

 

Agreed there are others whom the same could be said about. Andy has helped me resolve queries and issues on a few occasions already with SRP and H_C, and I've seen where he often helps others, so I wasn't surprised he could help out Krusty, and in such a timely manner to boot.

 

I am slow at times.

*Note to self; Change the name of the shortcut in File Explorer.

Once I followed Andy's clear instructions in his email, success!!

Thanks again to Andy for his awesome programs and equally great support.

Cheers,
Krusty

 

Hard_Configurator ver. 6.0.0.0 (stable):

https://malwaretips.com/threads/har...ening-configurator.66416/page-169#post-962572

 

Ordinary users are better off using Simple Windows Hardening.

Its basically a set and forget it approach to Windows hardening. Power users who want/need more granularity can run Hard_Configurator.

 

What's the difference. Please explain. Between the two one of them must have a more granular approach. And both surely offer an instant return to defaults do they not?

 

How to update to version 6:

https://malwaretips.com/threads/har...ening-configurator.66416/page-170#post-962699

 

Thank for that. I was hoping for that information.

 

Hard_Configurator ver. 6.0.0.1 Beta Released (February 11, 2022)
Website
What's New

Download: https://github.com/AndyFul/Hard_Configurator/raw/master/H_C_6001_beta1.exe

 

Thank you @mood,

this Beta release has been working flawlessly for me since I installed it last week.

 

Well, this is good to know. I just now installed this beta for the updated FirewallHardening to 2.0.1.1. Probably the quietest software I've used on here. But I know it's working as I have the logger enabled.

 

This is cool. I just tried out his H_C that you guys linked me to recently. This appears to be a full installer I guess vs. the older and separate firewall module?