Disable "Windows Security Service" service

Overview

About this script

This script improves your privacy on Windows.

These changes use Windows system commands to update your settings.

This script disables the Windows Security Service, a component that manages various Windows security features.

This service is known as Windows Security Service 1, SecurityHealthService 2 or Windows Security Health Service 2 3. It provides device protection and system health information 1 3.

This service is part of the Windows Security interface 2 4. Windows Security is a centralized interface managing various Windows security features 5. In earlier Windows versions, this interface was called Security Center 5.

This service is also a component of Defender for Endpoint and Defender Antivirus 4. However, disabling this service does not affect the functionality of Defender Antivirus 2.

Disabling this service may enhance privacy by limiting data collection related to system security. It may also improve system performance by preventing the service from running in the background. However, it may decrease security by disabling the Windows Security interface and restricting access to security information.

Caution

Disabling this service may prevent you from accessing Windows Security features and receiving important security notifications.

Technical Details

The Windows Security interface relies on this service 2.

By default, Windows is set to start this service manually 1. Although tests indicate it runs automatically on Windows 10 and 11.

The service is located at %SYSTEMROOT%\System32\SecurityHealthService.exe 1 3 6

Overview of default service statuses

OS Version	Status	Start type
Windows 10 (≥ 22H2)	🟢 Running	Manual
Windows 11 (≥ 23H2)	🔴 Stopped	Manual

This script uses Batch (batchfile) scripting language.

Not Advised

This script should only be used by advanced users. This script is not recommended for daily use as it breaks important functionality. Do not run it without having backups and system snapshots.

Implementation Details

• Language: batch

• Required Privileges: Administrator rights

• Compatibility: Windows only

• Reversibility: Can be undone using provided revert script

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Disable Defender

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Privacy over security

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Apply now

Choose one of three ways to apply:

1. Automatically via privacy.sexy: The easiest and safest option.
2. Manually by downloading: Requires downloading a file.
3. Manually by copying: Advanced flexibility.

Alternative 1. Apply with Privacy.sexy

privacy.sexy is free and open-source application that lets securely apply this action easily.

Open privacy.sexy

You can fully restore this action (revert back to the original behavior) using the application.

privacy.sexy instructions

1. Open or download the desktop application
2. Search for the script name: Disable "Windows Security Service" service.
3. Check the script by clicking on the checkbox.
4. Click on Run button at the bottom of the page.

Alternative 2. Download

Irreversible Changes

This script is irreversible, meaning there is no straightforward method to restore changes once applied. Exercise caution before running, restoring it may not be possible.

1. Download the script file by clicking on the button below:

   Download script

2. Run the script file by clicking on it.

Download revert script

This file restores your system to its original state, before this script is applied.

Download restore script

Alternative 3. Copy

This is for advanced users. Consider automatically applying or downloading the script for simpler way.

1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.

HELP: Step-by-step guide

1. Click on Start menu

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

2. Type cmd

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

3. Right click on Command Prompt select Run as administrator

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

4. Click on Yes to run Command Prompt

   Windows 11

   

   Windows 10

   

---

Windows 11

Windows 10

2. Copy the following code:

Code to apply changes

:: Disable the service `SecurityHealthService` using TrustedInstaller privileges
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "function Invoke-AsTrustedInstaller($Script) { $principalSid = [System.Security.Principal.SecurityIdentifier]::new('S-1-5-80-956008885-3418522649-1831038044-1853292631-2271478464'); $principalName = $principalSid.Translate([System.Security.Principal.NTAccount]); $streamFile = New-TemporaryFile; $scriptFile = New-TemporaryFile; try { $scriptFile = Rename-Item -LiteralPath $scriptFile -NewName ($scriptFile.BaseName + '.ps1') -Force -PassThru; $Script | Out-File $scriptFile -Encoding UTF8; $taskName = "^""privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy invoke"^""; schtasks.exe /delete /tn $taskName /f 2>&1 | Out-Null; $executionCommand = "^""powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File '$scriptFile' *>&1 | Out-File -FilePath '$streamFile' -Encoding UTF8"^""; $action = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute 'powershell.exe' -Argument "^""-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command `"^""$executionCommand`"^"""^""; $settings = New-ScheduledTaskSettingsSet -AllowStartIfOnBatteries -DontStopIfGoingOnBatteries; Register-ScheduledTask -TaskName $taskName -Action $action -Settings $settings -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; try { ($scheduleService = New-Object -ComObject Schedule.Service).Connect(); $scheduleService.GetFolder('\').GetTask($taskName).RunEx($null, 0, 0, $principalName) | Out-Null; $timeout = (Get-Date).AddMinutes(5); Write-Host "^""Running as $principalName"^""; while ((Get-ScheduledTaskInfo $taskName).LastTaskResult -eq 267009) { Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 200; if ((Get-Date) -gt $timeout) { Write-Warning 'Skipping: Timeout'; break; }; }; if (($result = (Get-ScheduledTaskInfo $taskName).LastTaskResult) -ne 0) { Write-Error "^""Failed, due to exit code: $result."^""; } } finally { schtasks.exe /delete /tn $taskName /f | Out-Null; }; Get-Content $streamFile } finally { Remove-Item $streamFile, $scriptFile; }; }; $cmd = '$serviceQuery = ''SecurityHealthService'''+"^""`r`n"^""+'$stopWithDependencies= $false'+"^""`r`n"^""+'<# -- 1. Skip if service does not exist #>'+"^""`r`n"^""+'$service = Get-Service -Name $serviceQuery -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if(!$service) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host "^""Service query `"^""$serviceQuery`"^"" did not yield any results, no need to disable it."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Exit 0'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'$serviceName = $service.Name'+"^""`r`n"^""+'Write-Host "^""Disabling service: `"^""$serviceName`"^""."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'<# -- 2. Stop if running #>'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if ($service.Status -eq [System.ServiceProcess.ServiceControllerStatus]::Running) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is running, attempting to stop it."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    try {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        Write-Host "^""Stopping the service `"^""$serviceName`"^""."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        $stopParams = @{ `'+"^""`r`n"^""+'            Name = $ServiceName'+"^""`r`n"^""+'            Force = $true'+"^""`r`n"^""+'            ErrorAction = ''Stop'''+"^""`r`n"^""+'        }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        if (-not $stopWithDependencies) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'            $stopParams[''NoWait''] = $true'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        Stop-Service @stopParams'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        Write-Host "^""Stopped `"^""$serviceName`"^"" successfully."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    } catch {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        if ($_.FullyQualifiedErrorId -eq ''CouldNotStopService,Microsoft.PowerShell.Commands.StopServiceCommand'') {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'            Write-Warning "^""The service `"^""$serviceName`"^"" does not accept a stop command and may need to be stopped manually or on reboot."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        } else {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'            Write-Warning "^""Failed to stop service `"^""$ServiceName`"^"". It will be stopped after reboot. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'} else {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is not running, no need to stop."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'<# -- 3. Skip if service info is not found in registry #>'+"^""`r`n"^""+'$registryKey = "^""HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\$serviceName"^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if (-Not (Test-Path $registryKey)) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host "^""`"^""$registryKey`"^"" is not found in registry, cannot enable it."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Exit 0'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'<# -- 4. Skip if already disabled #>'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if( $(Get-ItemProperty -Path "^""$registryKey"^"").Start -eq 4) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is already disabled from start, no further action is needed."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Exit 0'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'<# -- 5. Disable service #>'+"^""`r`n"^""+'try {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Set-ItemProperty `'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        -LiteralPath $registryKey `'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        -Name "^""Start"^"" `'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        -Value 4 `'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        -ErrorAction Stop'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host ''Successfully disabled the service. It will not start automatically on next boot.'''+"^""`r`n"^""+'} catch {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Error "^""Failed to disable the service. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Exit 1'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'; Invoke-AsTrustedInstaller $cmd"
:: Soft delete files matching pattern: "%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\SecurityHealthService.exe" with additional permissions 
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$pathGlobPattern = "^""%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\SecurityHealthService.exe"^""; $expandedPath = [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables($pathGlobPattern); Write-Host "^""Searching for items matching pattern: `"^""$($expandedPath)`"^""."^""; $renamedCount   = 0; $skippedCount   = 0; $failedCount    = 0; Add-Type -TypeDefinition "^""using System;`r`nusing System.Runtime.InteropServices;`r`npublic class Privileges {`r`n    [DllImport(`"^""advapi32.dll`"^"", ExactSpelling = true, SetLastError = true)]`r`n    internal static extern bool AdjustTokenPrivileges(IntPtr htok, bool disall,`r`n        ref TokPriv1Luid newst, int len, IntPtr prev, IntPtr relen);`r`n    [DllImport(`"^""advapi32.dll`"^"", ExactSpelling = true, SetLastError = true)]`r`n    internal static extern bool OpenProcessToken(IntPtr h, int acc, ref IntPtr phtok);`r`n    [DllImport(`"^""advapi32.dll`"^"", SetLastError = true)]`r`n    internal static extern bool LookupPrivilegeValue(string host, string name, ref long pluid);`r`n    [StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential, Pack = 1)]`r`n    internal struct TokPriv1Luid {`r`n        public int Count;`r`n        public long Luid;`r`n        public int Attr;`r`n    }`r`n    internal const int SE_PRIVILEGE_ENABLED = 0x00000002;`r`n    internal const int TOKEN_QUERY = 0x00000008;`r`n    internal const int TOKEN_ADJUST_PRIVILEGES = 0x00000020;`r`n    public static bool AddPrivilege(string privilege) {`r`n        try {`r`n            bool retVal;`r`n            TokPriv1Luid tp;`r`n            IntPtr hproc = GetCurrentProcess();`r`n            IntPtr htok = IntPtr.Zero;`r`n            retVal = OpenProcessToken(hproc, TOKEN_ADJUST_PRIVILEGES | TOKEN_QUERY, ref htok);`r`n            tp.Count = 1;`r`n            tp.Luid = 0;`r`n            tp.Attr = SE_PRIVILEGE_ENABLED;`r`n            retVal = LookupPrivilegeValue(null, privilege, ref tp.Luid);`r`n            retVal = AdjustTokenPrivileges(htok, false, ref tp, 0, IntPtr.Zero, IntPtr.Zero);`r`n            return retVal;`r`n        } catch (Exception ex) {`r`n            throw new Exception(`"^""Failed to adjust token privileges`"^"", ex);`r`n        }`r`n    }`r`n    public static bool RemovePrivilege(string privilege) {`r`n        try {`r`n            bool retVal;`r`n            TokPriv1Luid tp;`r`n            IntPtr hproc = GetCurrentProcess();`r`n            IntPtr htok = IntPtr.Zero;`r`n            retVal = OpenProcessToken(hproc, TOKEN_ADJUST_PRIVILEGES | TOKEN_QUERY, ref htok);`r`n            tp.Count = 1;`r`n            tp.Luid = 0;`r`n            tp.Attr = 0;  // This line is changed to revoke the privilege`r`n            retVal = LookupPrivilegeValue(null, privilege, ref tp.Luid);`r`n            retVal = AdjustTokenPrivileges(htok, false, ref tp, 0, IntPtr.Zero, IntPtr.Zero);`r`n            return retVal;`r`n        } catch (Exception ex) {`r`n            throw new Exception(`"^""Failed to adjust token privileges`"^"", ex);`r`n        }`r`n    }`r`n    [DllImport(`"^""kernel32.dll`"^"", CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]`r`n    public static extern IntPtr GetCurrentProcess();`r`n}"^""; [Privileges]::AddPrivilege('SeRestorePrivilege') | Out-Null; [Privileges]::AddPrivilege('SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege') | Out-Null; $adminSid = New-Object System.Security.Principal.SecurityIdentifier 'S-1-5-32-544'; $adminAccount = $adminSid.Translate([System.Security.Principal.NTAccount]); $adminFullControlAccessRule = New-Object System.Security.AccessControl.FileSystemAccessRule( $adminAccount, [System.Security.AccessControl.FileSystemRights]::FullControl, [System.Security.AccessControl.AccessControlType]::Allow ); $foundAbsolutePaths = @(); try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-Item -Path $expandedPath -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; $foundAbsolutePaths = $foundAbsolutePaths | Select-Object -Unique | Sort-Object -Property { $_.Length } -Descending; if (!$foundAbsolutePaths) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no items available.'; exit 0; }; Write-Host "^""Initiating processing of $($foundAbsolutePaths.Count) items from `"^""$expandedPath`"^""."^""; foreach ($path in $foundAbsolutePaths) { if (Test-Path -Path $path -PathType Container) { Write-Host "^""Skipping folder (not its contents): `"^""$path`"^""."^""; $skippedCount++; continue; }; if($revert -eq $true) { if (-not $path.EndsWith('.OLD')) { Write-Host "^""Skipping non-backup file: `"^""$path`"^""."^""; $skippedCount++; continue; }; } else { if ($path.EndsWith('.OLD')) { Write-Host "^""Skipping backup file: `"^""$path`"^""."^""; $skippedCount++; continue; }; }; $originalFilePath = $path; Write-Host "^""Processing file: `"^""$originalFilePath`"^""."^""; if (-Not (Test-Path $originalFilePath)) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, file `"^""$originalFilePath`"^"" not found."^""; $skippedCount++; exit 0; }; $originalAcl = Get-Acl -Path "^""$originalFilePath"^""; $accessGranted = $false; try { $acl = Get-Acl -Path "^""$originalFilePath"^""; $acl.SetOwner($adminAccount) <# Take Ownership (because file is owned by TrustedInstaller) #>; $acl.AddAccessRule($adminFullControlAccessRule) <# Grant rights to be able to move the file #>; Set-Acl -Path $originalFilePath -AclObject $acl -ErrorAction Stop; $accessGranted = $true; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to grant access to `"^""$originalFilePath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; if ($revert -eq $true) { $newFilePath = $originalFilePath.Substring(0, $originalFilePath.Length - 4); } else { $newFilePath = "^""$($originalFilePath).OLD"^""; }; try { Move-Item -LiteralPath "^""$($originalFilePath)"^"" -Destination "^""$newFilePath"^"" -Force -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host "^""Successfully processed `"^""$originalFilePath`"^""."^""; $renamedCount++; if ($accessGranted) { try { Set-Acl -Path $newFilePath -AclObject $originalAcl -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to restore access on `"^""$newFilePath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to rename `"^""$originalFilePath`"^"" to `"^""$newFilePath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; $failedCount++; if ($accessGranted) { try { Set-Acl -Path $originalFilePath -AclObject $originalAcl -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to restore access on `"^""$originalFilePath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; }; }; if (($renamedCount -gt 0) -or ($skippedCount -gt 0)) { Write-Host "^""Successfully processed $renamedCount items and skipped $skippedCount items."^""; }; if ($failedCount -gt 0) { Write-Warning "^""Failed to process $($failedCount) items."^""; }; [Privileges]::RemovePrivilege('SeRestorePrivilege') | Out-Null; [Privileges]::RemovePrivilege('SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege') | Out-Null"
:: Check and terminate the running process "SecurityHealthService.exe"
tasklist /fi "ImageName eq SecurityHealthService.exe" /fo csv 2>NUL | find /i "SecurityHealthService.exe">NUL && (
    echo SecurityHealthService.exe is running and will be killed.
    taskkill /f /im SecurityHealthService.exe
) || (
    echo Skipping, SecurityHealthService.exe is not running.
)
:: Configure termination of "SecurityHealthService.exe" immediately upon its startup
:: Set the registry value: "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\SecurityHealthService.exe!Debugger"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$registryPath = 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\SecurityHealthService.exe'; $data = '%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\taskkill.exe'; reg add 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\SecurityHealthService.exe' /v 'Debugger' /t 'REG_SZ' /d "^""$data"^"" /f"
:: Add a rule to prevent the executable "SecurityHealthService.exe" from running via File Explorer
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$executableFilename='SecurityHealthService.exe'; try { $registryPathForDisallowRun='HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun'; $existingBlockEntries = Get-ItemProperty -Path "^""$registryPathForDisallowRun"^"" -ErrorAction Ignore; $nextFreeRuleIndex = 1; if ($existingBlockEntries) { $existingBlockingRuleForExecutable = $existingBlockEntries.PSObject.Properties | Where-Object { $_.Value -eq $executableFilename }; if ($existingBlockingRuleForExecutable) { $existingBlockingRuleIndexForExecutable = $existingBlockingRuleForExecutable.Name; Write-Output "^""Skipping, no action needed: '$executableFilename' is already blocked under rule index `"^""$existingBlockingRuleIndexForExecutable`"^""."^""; exit 0; }; $occupiedRuleIndexes = $existingBlockEntries.PSObject.Properties | Where-Object { $_.Name -Match '^\d+$' } | Select -ExpandProperty Name; if ($occupiedRuleIndexes) { while ($occupiedRuleIndexes -Contains $nextFreeRuleIndex) { $nextFreeRuleIndex += 1; }; }; }; Write-Output "^""Adding block rule for `"^""$executableFilename`"^"" under rule index `"^""$nextFreeRuleIndex`"^""."^""; if (!(Test-Path $registryPathForDisallowRun)) { New-Item -Path "^""$registryPathForDisallowRun"^"" -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; }; New-ItemProperty -Path "^""$registryPathForDisallowRun"^"" -Name "^""$nextFreeRuleIndex"^"" -PropertyType String -Value "^""$executableFilename"^"" ` -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output "^""Successfully blocked `"^""$executableFilename`"^"" with rule index `"^""$nextFreeRuleIndex`"^""."^""; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to block `"^""$executableFilename`"^"": $_"^""; Exit 1; }"
:: Activate the DisallowRun policy to block specified programs from running via File Explorer
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "try { $fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath = 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer'; $currentDisallowRunPolicyValue = Get-ItemProperty -Path "^""$fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath"^"" -Name 'DisallowRun' -ErrorAction Ignore | Select -ExpandProperty DisallowRun; if ([string]::IsNullOrEmpty($currentDisallowRunPolicyValue)) { Write-Output "^""Creating DisallowRun policy at `"^""$fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath`"^""."^""; if (!(Test-Path $fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath)) { New-Item -Path "^""$fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath"^"" -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; }; New-ItemProperty -Path "^""$fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath"^"" -Name 'DisallowRun' -Value 1 -PropertyType DWORD -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output 'Successfully activated DisallowRun policy.'; Exit 0; }; if ($currentDisallowRunPolicyValue -eq 1) { Write-Output 'Skipping, no action needed: DisallowRun policy is already in place.'; Exit 0; }; Write-Output 'Updating DisallowRun policy from unexpected value `"^""$currentDisallowRunPolicyValue`"^"" to `"^""1`"^"".'; Set-ItemProperty -Path "^""$fileExplorerDisallowRunRegistryPath"^"" -Name 'DisallowRun' -Value 1 -Type DWORD -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; Write-Output 'Successfully activated DisallowRun policy.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to activate DisallowRun policy: $_"^""; Exit 1; }"

3. Right click on command prompt to paste it.
4. Press Enter to apply remaining code.

Copy restore code

Copy and run the following code to restore changes:

Revert code

:: Restore the service `SecurityHealthService` using TrustedInstaller privileges
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "function Invoke-AsTrustedInstaller($Script) { $principalSid = [System.Security.Principal.SecurityIdentifier]::new('S-1-5-80-956008885-3418522649-1831038044-1853292631-2271478464'); $principalName = $principalSid.Translate([System.Security.Principal.NTAccount]); $streamFile = New-TemporaryFile; $scriptFile = New-TemporaryFile; try { $scriptFile = Rename-Item -LiteralPath $scriptFile -NewName ($scriptFile.BaseName + '.ps1') -Force -PassThru; $Script | Out-File $scriptFile -Encoding UTF8; $taskName = "^""privacy$([char]0x002E)sexy invoke"^""; schtasks.exe /delete /tn $taskName /f 2>&1 | Out-Null; $executionCommand = "^""powershell.exe -ExecutionPolicy Bypass -File '$scriptFile' *>&1 | Out-File -FilePath '$streamFile' -Encoding UTF8"^""; $action = New-ScheduledTaskAction -Execute 'powershell.exe' -Argument "^""-ExecutionPolicy Bypass -Command `"^""$executionCommand`"^"""^""; $settings = New-ScheduledTaskSettingsSet -AllowStartIfOnBatteries -DontStopIfGoingOnBatteries; Register-ScheduledTask -TaskName $taskName -Action $action -Settings $settings -Force -ErrorAction Stop | Out-Null; try { ($scheduleService = New-Object -ComObject Schedule.Service).Connect(); $scheduleService.GetFolder('\').GetTask($taskName).RunEx($null, 0, 0, $principalName) | Out-Null; $timeout = (Get-Date).AddMinutes(5); Write-Host "^""Running as $principalName"^""; while ((Get-ScheduledTaskInfo $taskName).LastTaskResult -eq 267009) { Start-Sleep -Milliseconds 200; if ((Get-Date) -gt $timeout) { Write-Warning 'Skipping: Timeout'; break; }; }; if (($result = (Get-ScheduledTaskInfo $taskName).LastTaskResult) -ne 0) { Write-Error "^""Failed, due to exit code: $result."^""; } } finally { schtasks.exe /delete /tn $taskName /f | Out-Null; }; Get-Content $streamFile } finally { Remove-Item $streamFile, $scriptFile; }; }; $cmd = '$serviceQuery = ''SecurityHealthService'''+"^""`r`n"^""+'$defaultStartupMode = ''Manual'''+"^""`r`n"^""+'<# -- 1. Skip if service does not exist #>'+"^""`r`n"^""+'$service = Get-Service -Name $serviceQuery -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if (!$service) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Warning "^""Service query `"^""$serviceQuery`"^"" did not yield and results. Revert cannot proceed."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Exit 1'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'$serviceName = $service.Name'+"^""`r`n"^""+'Write-Host "^""Restoring registry settings for service `"^""$serviceName`"^"" to default startup mode `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^""."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'<# -- 2. Skip if service info is not found in registry #>'+"^""`r`n"^""+'$registryKey = "^""HKLM:\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\$serviceName"^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if (-Not (Test-Path $registryKey)) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Warning "^""`"^""$registryKey`"^"" is not found in registry. Revert cannot proceed."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Exit 1'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'<# -- 3. Enable if not already enabled #>'+"^""`r`n"^""+'$defaultStartupRegValue = switch ($defaultStartupMode) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    ''Boot''      { 0 }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    ''System''    { 1 }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    ''Automatic'' { 2 }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    ''Manual''    { 3 }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    ''Disabled''  { 4 }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    default {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        Write-Error "^""Error: Unknown startup mode specified: `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^"". Revert cannot proceed."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        return'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if ($(Get-ItemProperty -Path "^""$registryKey"^"").Start -eq $defaultStartupRegValue) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is has already default startup mode: `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^""."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'} else {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    try {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        Set-ItemProperty $registryKey -Name Start -Value $defaultStartupRegValue -Force'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        Write-Host "^""Successfully restored `"^""$serviceName`"^"" with `"^""$defaultStartupMode`"^"" start, this may require restarting your computer."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    } catch {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        Write-Error "^""Could not enable `"^""$serviceName`"^"": $_"^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        Exit 1'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'+"^""`r`n"^""+'<# -- 4. Start if not running (must be enabled first) #>'+"^""`r`n"^""+'if ($defaultStartupMode -eq ''Automatic'' -or $defaultStartupMode -eq ''Boot'' -or $defaultStartupMode -eq ''System'') {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    if ($service.Status -ne [System.ServiceProcess.ServiceControllerStatus]::Running) {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is not running, trying to start it."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        try {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'            Start-Service -Name $serviceName -ErrorAction Stop'+"^""`r`n"^""+'            Write-Host ''Service started successfully.'''+"^""`r`n"^""+'        } catch {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'            Write-Warning "^""Failed to restart service. It will be started after reboot. Error: $($_.Exception.Message)"^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    } else {'+"^""`r`n"^""+'        Write-Host "^""`"^""$serviceName`"^"" is already running, no need to start."^""'+"^""`r`n"^""+'    }'+"^""`r`n"^""+'}'; Invoke-AsTrustedInstaller $cmd"
:: Restore files matching pattern: "%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\SecurityHealthService.exe" with additional permissions 
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$revert = $true; $pathGlobPattern = "^""%SYSTEMROOT%\System32\SecurityHealthService.exe.OLD"^""; $expandedPath = [System.Environment]::ExpandEnvironmentVariables($pathGlobPattern); Write-Host "^""Searching for items matching pattern: `"^""$($expandedPath)`"^""."^""; $renamedCount   = 0; $skippedCount   = 0; $failedCount    = 0; Add-Type -TypeDefinition "^""using System;`r`nusing System.Runtime.InteropServices;`r`npublic class Privileges {`r`n    [DllImport(`"^""advapi32.dll`"^"", ExactSpelling = true, SetLastError = true)]`r`n    internal static extern bool AdjustTokenPrivileges(IntPtr htok, bool disall,`r`n        ref TokPriv1Luid newst, int len, IntPtr prev, IntPtr relen);`r`n    [DllImport(`"^""advapi32.dll`"^"", ExactSpelling = true, SetLastError = true)]`r`n    internal static extern bool OpenProcessToken(IntPtr h, int acc, ref IntPtr phtok);`r`n    [DllImport(`"^""advapi32.dll`"^"", SetLastError = true)]`r`n    internal static extern bool LookupPrivilegeValue(string host, string name, ref long pluid);`r`n    [StructLayout(LayoutKind.Sequential, Pack = 1)]`r`n    internal struct TokPriv1Luid {`r`n        public int Count;`r`n        public long Luid;`r`n        public int Attr;`r`n    }`r`n    internal const int SE_PRIVILEGE_ENABLED = 0x00000002;`r`n    internal const int TOKEN_QUERY = 0x00000008;`r`n    internal const int TOKEN_ADJUST_PRIVILEGES = 0x00000020;`r`n    public static bool AddPrivilege(string privilege) {`r`n        try {`r`n            bool retVal;`r`n            TokPriv1Luid tp;`r`n            IntPtr hproc = GetCurrentProcess();`r`n            IntPtr htok = IntPtr.Zero;`r`n            retVal = OpenProcessToken(hproc, TOKEN_ADJUST_PRIVILEGES | TOKEN_QUERY, ref htok);`r`n            tp.Count = 1;`r`n            tp.Luid = 0;`r`n            tp.Attr = SE_PRIVILEGE_ENABLED;`r`n            retVal = LookupPrivilegeValue(null, privilege, ref tp.Luid);`r`n            retVal = AdjustTokenPrivileges(htok, false, ref tp, 0, IntPtr.Zero, IntPtr.Zero);`r`n            return retVal;`r`n        } catch (Exception ex) {`r`n            throw new Exception(`"^""Failed to adjust token privileges`"^"", ex);`r`n        }`r`n    }`r`n    public static bool RemovePrivilege(string privilege) {`r`n        try {`r`n            bool retVal;`r`n            TokPriv1Luid tp;`r`n            IntPtr hproc = GetCurrentProcess();`r`n            IntPtr htok = IntPtr.Zero;`r`n            retVal = OpenProcessToken(hproc, TOKEN_ADJUST_PRIVILEGES | TOKEN_QUERY, ref htok);`r`n            tp.Count = 1;`r`n            tp.Luid = 0;`r`n            tp.Attr = 0;  // This line is changed to revoke the privilege`r`n            retVal = LookupPrivilegeValue(null, privilege, ref tp.Luid);`r`n            retVal = AdjustTokenPrivileges(htok, false, ref tp, 0, IntPtr.Zero, IntPtr.Zero);`r`n            return retVal;`r`n        } catch (Exception ex) {`r`n            throw new Exception(`"^""Failed to adjust token privileges`"^"", ex);`r`n        }`r`n    }`r`n    [DllImport(`"^""kernel32.dll`"^"", CharSet = CharSet.Auto)]`r`n    public static extern IntPtr GetCurrentProcess();`r`n}"^""; [Privileges]::AddPrivilege('SeRestorePrivilege') | Out-Null; [Privileges]::AddPrivilege('SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege') | Out-Null; $adminSid = New-Object System.Security.Principal.SecurityIdentifier 'S-1-5-32-544'; $adminAccount = $adminSid.Translate([System.Security.Principal.NTAccount]); $adminFullControlAccessRule = New-Object System.Security.AccessControl.FileSystemAccessRule( $adminAccount, [System.Security.AccessControl.FileSystemRights]::FullControl, [System.Security.AccessControl.AccessControlType]::Allow ); $foundAbsolutePaths = @(); try { $foundAbsolutePaths += @(; Get-Item -Path $expandedPath -ErrorAction Stop | Select-Object -ExpandProperty FullName; ); } catch [System.Management.Automation.ItemNotFoundException] { <# Swallow, do not run `Test-Path` before, it's unreliable for globs requiring extra permissions #>; }; $foundAbsolutePaths = $foundAbsolutePaths | Select-Object -Unique | Sort-Object -Property { $_.Length } -Descending; if (!$foundAbsolutePaths) { Write-Host 'Skipping, no items available.'; exit 0; }; Write-Host "^""Initiating processing of $($foundAbsolutePaths.Count) items from `"^""$expandedPath`"^""."^""; foreach ($path in $foundAbsolutePaths) { if (Test-Path -Path $path -PathType Container) { Write-Host "^""Skipping folder (not its contents): `"^""$path`"^""."^""; $skippedCount++; continue; }; if($revert -eq $true) { if (-not $path.EndsWith('.OLD')) { Write-Host "^""Skipping non-backup file: `"^""$path`"^""."^""; $skippedCount++; continue; }; } else { if ($path.EndsWith('.OLD')) { Write-Host "^""Skipping backup file: `"^""$path`"^""."^""; $skippedCount++; continue; }; }; $originalFilePath = $path; Write-Host "^""Processing file: `"^""$originalFilePath`"^""."^""; if (-Not (Test-Path $originalFilePath)) { Write-Host "^""Skipping, file `"^""$originalFilePath`"^"" not found."^""; $skippedCount++; exit 0; }; $originalAcl = Get-Acl -Path "^""$originalFilePath"^""; $accessGranted = $false; try { $acl = Get-Acl -Path "^""$originalFilePath"^""; $acl.SetOwner($adminAccount) <# Take Ownership (because file is owned by TrustedInstaller) #>; $acl.AddAccessRule($adminFullControlAccessRule) <# Grant rights to be able to move the file #>; Set-Acl -Path $originalFilePath -AclObject $acl -ErrorAction Stop; $accessGranted = $true; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to grant access to `"^""$originalFilePath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; if ($revert -eq $true) { $newFilePath = $originalFilePath.Substring(0, $originalFilePath.Length - 4); } else { $newFilePath = "^""$($originalFilePath).OLD"^""; }; try { Move-Item -LiteralPath "^""$($originalFilePath)"^"" -Destination "^""$newFilePath"^"" -Force -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Host "^""Successfully processed `"^""$originalFilePath`"^""."^""; $renamedCount++; if ($accessGranted) { try { Set-Acl -Path $newFilePath -AclObject $originalAcl -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to restore access on `"^""$newFilePath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to rename `"^""$originalFilePath`"^"" to `"^""$newFilePath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; $failedCount++; if ($accessGranted) { try { Set-Acl -Path $originalFilePath -AclObject $originalAcl -ErrorAction Stop; } catch { Write-Warning "^""Failed to restore access on `"^""$originalFilePath`"^"": $($_.Exception.Message)"^""; }; }; }; }; if (($renamedCount -gt 0) -or ($skippedCount -gt 0)) { Write-Host "^""Successfully processed $renamedCount items and skipped $skippedCount items."^""; }; if ($failedCount -gt 0) { Write-Warning "^""Failed to process $($failedCount) items."^""; }; [Privileges]::RemovePrivilege('SeRestorePrivilege') | Out-Null; [Privileges]::RemovePrivilege('SeTakeOwnershipPrivilege') | Out-Null"
:: Remove configuration preventing "SecurityHealthService.exe" from starting
:: Delete the registry value "HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\SecurityHealthService.exe!Debugger"
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "reg delete 'HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Image File Execution Options\SecurityHealthService.exe' /v 'Debugger' /f 2>$null"
:: Remove the rule that prevents the executable "SecurityHealthService.exe" from running via File Explorer
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "$executableFilename='SecurityHealthService.exe'; try { $blockEntries = Get-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun' -ErrorAction Ignore; if (-Not $blockEntries) { Write-Output "^""Skipping, no action needed: No block rules exist, `"^""$executableFilename`"^"" is not blocked."^""; exit 0; }; $blockingRulesForExecutable = @(; $blockEntries.PSObject.Properties | Where-Object { $_.Value -eq $executableFilename }; ); if (-Not $blockingRulesForExecutable) { Write-Output "^""Skipping, no action needed: `"^""$executableFilename`"^"" is not currently blocked."^""; exit 0; }; foreach ($blockingRuleForExecutable in $blockingRulesForExecutable) { $blockingRuleIndexForExecutable = $blockingRuleForExecutable.Name; Write-Output "^""Removing rule `"^""$blockingRuleIndexForExecutable`"^"" that blocks `"^""$executableFilename`"^""."^""; Remove-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun' -Name "^""$blockingRuleIndexForExecutable"^"" -Force -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Output "^""Successfully revoked blocking of `$executableFilename` under rule `"^""$blockingRuleIndexForExecutable`"^""."^""; }; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to revoke blocking of `"^""$executableFilename`"^"": $_"^""; Exit 1; }"
:: Restore the File Explorer DisallowRun policy if no other blocks are active
PowerShell -ExecutionPolicy Unrestricted -Command "try { $currentDisallowRunPolicyValue = Get-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer' -Name 'DisallowRun' -ErrorAction Ignore | Select-Object -ExpandProperty 'DisallowRun'; if ([string]::IsNullOrEmpty($currentDisallowRunPolicyValue)) { Write-Output 'Skipping, no action needed: DisallowRun policy is not active.'; Exit 0; }; if ($currentDisallowRunPolicyValue -ne 1) { Write-Output "^""Skipping, DisallowRun policy is not configured by privacy.sexy, unexpected value: `"^""$currentDisallowRunPolicyValue`"^""."^""; Exit 0; }; $remainingBlockingRules = Get-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer\DisallowRun' -ErrorAction Ignore; if ($remainingBlockingRules) { Write-Output 'Skipping deactivating DisallowRun policy, there are still active rules.'; Exit 0; }; Write-Output 'No remaining rules, deleting DisallowRun policy.'; Remove-ItemProperty -Path 'HKCU:\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\Explorer' -Name 'DisallowRun' -Force -ErrorAction Stop; Write-Output 'Successfully restored DisallowRun policy.'; } catch { Write-Error "^""Failed to restore DisallowRun policy: $_"^""; Exit 1; }"

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