standard hardware security not supported in Microsoft Defender

ah damn... wrong Thread...

@Yosh79 Could you please add full system specs to your profile so we know what computer you are using. It is impossible to help if we don't know this crucial information.

Issue started for me after the Oct Win11 update. I had so many issues with Wn11 that I did a factory reset. Then I saw no exclamation beside Device Security however when I clicked on it said not supported. No changes were made to my machine, but today after shutdown/restart the exclamation is back, and screen states not supported. Checked WSS as mentioned above. Cannot make changes.

@CharmaineK Please fill in your full system specs.

After the full reset, what changes have you made to Windows? Which security features does not work for you? Which security feature was Defender complaining about?

SlicEnDicE said:

@CharmaineK Please fill in your full system specs.

After the full reset, what changes have you made to Windows? Which security features does not work for you? Which security feature was Defender complaining about?

Click to expand...

Some issues have been resolved over the past week after 2 resets reinstalling WIN11 and any other Windows Updates, and learning things look different, no longer needed, not for my build. Guess some are ID-10-IT issues.
Defender is fine. Device Security has an exclamation and Smart App Control switched from Evaluation to Off. I installed, uninstalled and reinstalled WIN11 update that appeared in my Windows Updates. . I am up to date with the security updates for the last couple of days. I uninstalled to see if they were the issue but found they are not. My machine has been a little wonky since the WIN11 update I ran lastweek:
1. Windows Security - Protection History - Controlled Access Folder --> blocking files from being saved to some of my OneDrive document folders which I can set to allow (I read the recent items clears after a couple of weeks, but concerned about the blocked access - winsat.exe - isn't that a virus)
2. Windows Security - Device Security --> Not supported (I believe that is ok and it is determined by Microsoft that I don't need it)
3. Onedrive randomly stops syncing
4. File Explorer not responding - cursor not appearing to select folders however can select same folder if I access OneDrive from the system tray
5. File Explorer tabbed title bar is sometimes grey and sometimes my chosen accent color
6. This PC under C: users now has a Default user (can I delete it?)
7. This PC under Windows has a windows.old file (I read it automatically disappears after 10 days)

Ok, WinSat.exe is a windows component...you may safely allow it. It is a Windows assessment tool.
For the rest...ignore memory integrity...you will only run into issues regarding drivers and compatibility. Unless you absolutely want to be paranoid about Windows security and know exactly how it works.

Disable Controlled folder access, it is more trouble than worth it, unless you know exactly what you are doing. Defaults will just screw up your system and annoy you during your workflow. While it will be a great security feature if you spend days configuring it...your choice...

SlicEnDicE said:

Ok, WinSat.exe is a windows component...you may safely allow it. It is a Windows assessment tool.
For the rest...ignore memory integrity...you will only run into issues regarding drivers and compatibility. Unless you absolutely want to be paranoid about Windows security and know exactly how it works.

Disable Controlled folder access, it is more trouble than worth it, unless you know exactly what you are doing. Defaults will just screw up your system and annoy you during your workflow. While it will be a great security feature if you spend days configuring it...your choice...

Click to expand...

Thanks! I read CFA can be turned off and avoid many issues with my files and folders randomly being blocked. I can't see Memory Integrity as it's under the Device Security which I can't access as unsupported. I read WINSAT is a virus but also read it's a Windows tool. LOL. I used to know what I'm doing being a retired IT tech, however, we used images on USB and didn't need to do much when refreshing the companies' laptops. Plus, I built my first computer in 1996! I'm just digging deeper into my own system since the Win11 latest update. I used to have Mcafee and in the past mused Norton, now I'm just using Windows Security/Microsoft Defender so I'm getting familiar with what it offers. 2 resets has been time consuming and I'm no further ahead with the device security (so I guess the evaluation deems not needed), and protection history (it will clear when I do a reset)