Microsoft dials up the nagging in Windows, calls it security

Microsoft is introducing a raft of Windows security features that users and administrators alike might assume are already part of the operating system.

Dubbed “Windows Baseline Security Mode” and “User Transparency and Consent,” the updates are intended to deal with suspect behavior behind the scenes while also prompting the user when an app tries to use a sensitive resource, such as the device’s camera or microphone, or wanders into a user’s sensitive files.

Starting with the Baseline Security Mode, the plan is for Windows to operate with runtime integrity safeguards enabled by default. This means only properly signed apps, services, and drivers. However, users and administrators can still override the safeguards for that one weird legacy app, and app developers can check if the protections are active and if any exceptions have been granted.

For User Transparency and Consent, it looks like there could be a…