windows-itpro-docs/windows/security/threat-protection/windows-defender-exploit-guard/emet-exploit-protection-exploit-guard.md

---
title: Compare the features in Exploit protection with EMET
keywords: emet, enhanced mitigation experience toolkit, configuration, exploit, compare, difference between, versus, upgrade, convert
description: Exploit protection in Windows 10 provides advanced configuration over the settings offered in EMET.
search.product: eADQiWindows 10XVcnh
ms.pagetype: security
ms.prod: w10
ms.mktglfcycl: manage
ms.sitesec: library
ms.pagetype: security
ms.localizationpriority: medium
author: andreabichsel
ms.author: v-anbic
ms.date: 04/30/2018
---



# Comparison between Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit and Windows Defender Exploit Guard


**Applies to:**

- Windows 10, version 1709 and later
- Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit version 5.5 (latest version)



**Audience**

- Enterprise security administrators


>[!IMPORTANT]
>If you are currently using EMET you should be aware that [EMET will reach end of life on July 31, 2018](https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/srd/2016/11/03/beyond-emet/). You should consider replacing EMET with Exploit protection in Windows 10. 
>  
>You can [convert an existing EMET configuration file into Exploit protection](import-export-exploit-protection-emet-xml.md#convert-an-emet-configuration-file-to-an-exploit-protection-configuration-file) to make the migration easier and keep your existing settings.

This topic describes the differences between the Enhance Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET) and its replacement in Windows 10: Windows Defender Exploit Guard. 

 In Windows 10, version 1709 (also known as the Fall Creators Update) we released [Windows Defender Exploit Guard](windows-defender-exploit-guard.md), which provides unparalleled mitigation of known and unknown threat attack vectors, including exploits. 
 
 Windows Defender Exploit Guard is our successor to EMET and provides stronger protection, more customization, an easier user interface, and better configuration and management options.

 EMET is a stand-alone product that is available on earlier versions of Windows and provides some mitigation against older, known exploit techniques.

 After July 31, 2018, it will reach its end of life, which means it will not be supported and no additional development will be made on it.

 For more information about the individual features and mitigations available in Windows Defender Exploit Guard, as well as how to enable, configure, and deploy them to better protect your network, see the following topics:

- [Windows Defender Exploit Guard](windows-defender-exploit-guard.md)
- [Protect devices from exploits with Windows Defender Exploit Guard](exploit-protection-exploit-guard.md)
- [Configure and audit Exploit protection mitigations](customize-exploit-protection.md)




 ## Feature comparison

 The table in this section illustrates the differences between EMET and Windows Defender Exploit Guard.

  | Windows Defender Exploit Guard | EMET
 -|:-:|:-:
Windows versions | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />All versions of Windows 10 starting with version 1709 | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />Windows 8.1; Windows 8; Windows 7<br />Cannot be installed on Windows 10, version 1709 and later
Installation requirements | [Windows Defender Security Center in Windows 10](../windows-defender-security-center/windows-defender-security-center.md) <br />(no additional installation required)<br />Windows Defender Exploit Guard is built into Windows - it doesn't require a separate tool or package for management, configuration, or deployment. | Available only as an additional download and must be installed onto a management device
User interface | Modern interface integrated with the [Windows Defender Security Center](../windows-defender-security-center/windows-defender-security-center.md) | Older, complex interface that requires considerable ramp-up training
Supportability | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />[Dedicated submission-based support channel](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/wdsi/filesubmission)<sup id="ref1">[[1](#fn1)]</sup><br />[Part of the Windows 10 support lifecycle](https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13853/windows-lifecycle-fact-sheet) | [!include[Check mark no](images/svg/check-no.svg)]<br />Ends after July 31, 2018
Updates | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />Ongoing updates and development of new features, released twice yearly as part of the [Windows 10 semi-annual update channel](https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/windowsitpro/2017/07/27/waas-simplified-and-aligned/) | [!include[Check mark no](images/svg/check-no.svg)]<br />No planned updates or development
Exploit protection | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />All EMET mitigations plus new, specific mitigations ([see table](#mitigation-comparison))<br />[Can convert and import existing EMET configurations](import-export-exploit-protection-emet-xml.md) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />Limited set of mitigations
Attack surface reduction<sup id="ref2-1">[[2](#fn2)]</sup> | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />[Helps block known infection vectors](attack-surface-reduction-exploit-guard.md)<br />[Can configure individual rules](enable-attack-surface-reduction.md) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />Limited ruleset configuration only for modules (no processes)
Network protection<sup id="ref2-2">[[2](#fn2)]</sup> | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />[Helps block malicious network connections](network-protection-exploit-guard.md) | [!include[Check mark no](images/svg/check-no.svg)]<br />Not available
Controlled folder access<sup id="ref2-3">[[2](#fn2)]</sup> | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />[Helps protect important folders](controlled-folders-exploit-guard.md)<br/>[Configurable for apps and folders](customize-controlled-folders-exploit-guard.md) | [!include[Check mark no](images/svg/check-no.svg)]<br />Not available
Configuration with GUI (user interface) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />[Use Windows Defender Security Center app to customize and manage configurations](customize-exploit-protection.md) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]<br />Requires installation and use of EMET tool
Configuration with Group Policy | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />[Use Group Policy to deploy and manage configurations](import-export-exploit-protection-emet-xml.md#manage-or-deploy-a-configuration) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]<br />Available
Configuration with shell tools | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />[Use PowerShell to customize and manage configurations](customize-exploit-protection.md#powershell-reference) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]<br />Requires use of EMET tool (EMET_CONF)
System Center Configuration Manager |  [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />[Use Configuration Manager to customize, deploy, and manage configurations](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/sccm/protect/deploy-use/create-deploy-exploit-guard-policy) | [!include[Check mark no](images/svg/check-no.svg)]<br />Not available
Microsoft Intune | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />[Use Intune to customize, deploy, and manage configurations](https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/intune/whats-new#window-defender-exploit-guard-is-a-new-set-of-intrusion-prevention-capabilities-for-windows-10----1063615---) | [!include[Check mark no](images/svg/check-no.svg)]<br />Not available
Reporting | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />With [Windows event logs](event-views-exploit-guard.md) and [full audit mode reporting](audit-windows-defender-exploit-guard.md) <br />[Full integration with Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection](../windows-defender-atp/security-analytics-dashboard-windows-defender-advanced-threat-protection.md) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />Limited Windows event log monitoring
Audit mode | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] <br />[Full audit mode with Windows event reporting](audit-windows-defender-exploit-guard.md) | [!include[Check mark no](images/svg/check-no.svg)]<br />Limited to EAF, EAF+, and anti-ROP mitigations



<span id="fn1"></span>([1](#ref1)) Requires an enterprise subscription with Azure Active Directory or a [Software Assurance ID](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/licensing/licensing-programs/software-assurance-default.aspx).

<span id="fn2"></span>([2](#ref2-1)) Additional requirements may apply (such as use of Windows Defender Antivirus). See [Windows Defender Exploit Guard requirements](windows-defender-exploit-guard.md#requirements) for more details. Customizable mitigation options that are configured with [Exploit protection](exploit-protection-exploit-guard.md) do not require Windows Defender Antivirus.



## Mitigation comparison

The mitigations available in EMET are included in Windows Defender Exploit Guard, under the [Exploit protection feature](exploit-protection-exploit-guard.md).

The table in this section indicates the availability and support of native mitigations between EMET and Exploit protection.  

Mitigation | Available in Windows Defender Exploit Guard | Available in EMET
-|:-:|:-:
Arbitrary code guard (ACG) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]<br />As "Memory Protection Check"
Block remote images | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]<br/>As "Load Library Check"
Block untrusted fonts | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]
Data Execution Prevention (DEP) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]
Export address filtering (EAF) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]
Force randomization for images (Mandatory ASLR) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]
NullPage Security Mitigation | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]<br />Included natively in Windows 10<br/>See  [Mitigate threats by using Windows 10 security features](../overview-of-threat-mitigations-in-windows-10.md#understanding-windows-10-in-relation-to-the-enhanced-mitigation-experience-toolkit) for more information | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]
Randomize memory allocations (Bottom-Up ASLR) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]
Simulate execution (SimExec) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]
Validate API invocation (CallerCheck) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]
Validate exception chains (SEHOP) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]
Validate stack integrity (StackPivot) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]
Certificate trust (configurable certificate pinning) | Windows 10 provides enterprise certificate pinning | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]
Heap spray allocation | Ineffective against newer browser-based exploits; newer mitigations provide better protection<br/>See  [Mitigate threats by using Windows 10 security features](../overview-of-threat-mitigations-in-windows-10.md#understanding-windows-10-in-relation-to-the-enhanced-mitigation-experience-toolkit) for more information | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)]
Block low integrity images | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark no](images/svg/check-no.svg)]
Code integrity guard | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark no](images/svg/check-no.svg)]
Disable extension points | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark no](images/svg/check-no.svg)]
Disable Win32k system calls | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark no](images/svg/check-no.svg)]
Do not allow child processes | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark no](images/svg/check-no.svg)]
Import address filtering (IAF) | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark no](images/svg/check-no.svg)]
Validate handle usage | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark no](images/svg/check-no.svg)]
Validate heap integrity | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark no](images/svg/check-no.svg)]
Validate image dependency integrity | [!include[Check mark yes](images/svg/check-yes.svg)] | [!include[Check mark no](images/svg/check-no.svg)]






>[!NOTE] 
>The Advanced ROP mitigations that are available in EMET are superseded by ACG in Windows 10, which other EMET advanced settings are enabled by default in Windows Defender Exploit Guard as part of enabling the anti-ROP mitigations for a process.
> 
>See the [Mitigation threats by using Windows 10 security features](../overview-of-threat-mitigations-in-windows-10.md#understanding-windows-10-in-relation-to-the-enhanced-mitigation-experience-toolkit) for more information on how Windows 10 employs existing EMET technology.


## Related topics

- [Protect devices from exploits with Windows Defender Exploit Guard](exploit-protection-exploit-guard.md)
- [Evaluate Exploit protection](evaluate-exploit-protection.md)
- [Enable Exploit protection](enable-exploit-protection.md)
- [Configure and audit Exploit protection mitigations](customize-exploit-protection.md)
- [Import, export, and deploy Exploit protection configurations](import-export-exploit-protection-emet-xml.md)