Ethical Hacking News
Microsoft has announced new mobile-style Windows security controls aimed at providing users with greater transparency and control over their personal data, a significant shift for the operating system that now powers more than 1 billion devices.
Microsoft is introducing new mobile-style Windows security controls to enhance user security and privacy. The changes aim to provide users with greater transparency and control over their personal data. The new controls will prompt users for consent before allowing apps to access sensitive resources. The "Windows Baseline Security Mode" will be enabled by default, but users can override it for specific apps when needed. The changes are part of Microsoft's Secure Future Initiative and will roll out in a phased approach with community feedback.
In a move aimed at enhancing the security and privacy of its users, Microsoft has announced plans to introduce new mobile-style Windows security controls in an effort to provide users with greater transparency and control over their personal data. The company's goal is to empower users to make informed decisions about how their device is accessed and what sensitive resources are shared.
According to Logan Iyer, a Windows Platform engineer at Microsoft, the changes were prompted by applications increasingly overriding user settings, installing unwanted software, or even modifying core Windows experiences without obtaining consent. This lack of transparency and control has led to concerns about data privacy and security.
As part of its Secure Future Initiative (SFI), launched in November 2023, Microsoft aims to improve its security culture and address these concerns. The new mobile-style Windows security controls are designed to provide users with clear prompts when apps try to install unwanted software or access sensitive resources. This change will enable users to revoke access to apps that they do not recognize.
The "Windows Baseline Security Mode" will be enabled by default, ensuring that only properly signed apps, services, and drivers can run. However, users and IT administrators will also have the option to override these safeguards for specific apps when needed. This flexibility is aimed at allowing developers to access certain features and functionality while maintaining security.
The changes will roll out as part of a phased approach developed in close partnership with developers, enterprises, and ecosystem partners. Microsoft plans to adjust the rollout and controls based on feedback from users and the broader community.
One of the key benefits of these new mobile-style Windows security controls is that they provide transparency and consent control over how apps access personal data and device features. Users will receive clear prompts to grant or deny apps permission to access protected resources, such as the file system, camera, microphone, and other sensitive devices.
The Secure Future Initiative also includes plans to secure Entra ID sign-ins against script-injection attacks, disable all ActiveX controls in Microsoft 365 and Office 2024 Windows apps, update Microsoft 365 security defaults to block access to SharePoint, OneDrive, and Office files via legacy authentication protocols, and enforce higher transparency standards for apps and AI agents.
These updates are aimed at raising the bar for security and privacy on Windows while giving users more control and confidence in how their system and data are accessed. By introducing mobile-style app permission prompts, Microsoft hopes to empower its users with greater agency over their digital lives.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/New-Mobile-Style-Windows-Security-Controls-Announced-by-Microsoft-ehn.shtml
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-announces-new-mobile-style-windows-security-controls/
https://winbuzzer.com/2026/02/10/microsoft-brings-ios-style-permissions-to-windows-11-xcxwbn/
Published: Tue Feb 10 07:27:37 2026 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
