windows-itpro-docs/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-defender-application-control/applocker/executable-rules-in-applocker.md

title, description, ms.assetid, ms.reviewer, ms.author, ms.prod, ms.mktglfcycl, ms.sitesec, ms.pagetype, ms.localizationpriority, author, manager, audience, ms.topic, ms.date, ms.technology

title	description	ms.assetid	ms.reviewer	ms.author	ms.prod	ms.mktglfcycl	ms.sitesec	ms.pagetype	ms.localizationpriority	author	manager	audience	ms.topic	ms.date	ms.technology
Executable rules in AppLocker	This topic describes the file formats and available default rules for the executable rule collection.	65e62f90-6caa-48f8-836a-91f8ac9018ee		vinpa	windows-client	deploy	library	security	medium	vinaypamnani-msft	aaroncz	ITPro	conceptual	09/21/2017	itpro-security

Executable rules in AppLocker

Applies to

• Windows 10
• Windows 11
• Windows Server 2016 and above

Note

Some capabilities of Windows Defender Application Control are only available on specific Windows versions. Learn more about the Windows Defender Application Control feature availability.

This topic describes the file formats and available default rules for the executable rule collection.

AppLocker defines executable rules as any files with the .exe and .com extensions that are associated with an app. Because all of the default rules for the executable rule collection are based on folder paths, all files under those paths will be allowed. The following table lists the default rules that are available for the executable rule collection.

Purpose	Name	User	Rule condition type
Allow members of the local Administrators group access to run all executable files	(Default Rule) All files	BUILTIN\Administrators	Path: *
Allow all users to run executable files in the Windows folder	(Default Rule) All files located in the Windows folder	Everyone	Path: %windir%*
Allow all users to run executable files in the Program Files folder	(Default Rule) All files located in the Program Files folder	Everyone	Path: %programfiles%*

Related topics

• Understanding AppLocker Default Rules