Windows Server 2025 User Account Control (UAC) approval mode for the built-in Administrator must be enabled.
Severity | Group ID | Group Title | Version | Rule ID | Date | STIG Version |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| medium | V-278232 | SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00156 | WN25-SO-000380 | SV-278232r1182191_rule | 2026-02-20 | 1 |
Description
UAC is a security mechanism for limiting the elevation of privileges, including administrative accounts, unless authorized. This setting configures the built-in Administrator account so that it runs in Admin Approval Mode.
Satisfies: SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00156, SRG-OS-000373-GPOS-00157
ℹ️ Check
UAC requirements are not applicable for Server Core installations (this is the default installation option for Windows Server 2025 versus Server with Desktop Experience).
If the following registry value does not exist or is not configured as specified, this is a finding:
Registry Hive: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE
Registry Path: \SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Policies\System\
Value Name: FilterAdministratorToken
Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 0x00000001 (1)
✔️ Fix
Configure the policy value for Computer Configuration >> Windows Settings >> Security Settings >> Local Policies >> Security Options >> User Account Control: Admin Approval Mode for the Built-in Administrator account to "Enabled".