How to enable ASLR Windows 10

I've been using it for quite a while now, it caused no problems or errors with any legitimate programs, games, anti cheat systems etc other than with some "custom" made portable programs. it's Off by default, when you turn it on, you will have to restart your device.

Address space layout randomization

Address space layout randomization (ASLR) is a computer security technique involved in preventing exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities. In order to prevent an attacker from reliably jumping to, for example, a particular exploited function in memory, ASLR randomly arranges the address space positions of key data areas of a process, including the base of the executable and the positions of the stack, heap and libraries.

The Linux PaX project first coined the term "ASLR", and published the first design and implementation of ASLR in July 2001 as a patch for the Linux kernel. It is seen as a complete implementation, providing also a patch for kernel stack randomization since October 2002.[1]

The first mainstream operating system to support ASLR by default was the OpenBSD version 3.4 in 2003,[2][3] followed by Linux in 2005.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Address_space_layout_randomization

https://blogs.technet.microsoft.com/srd/2017/11/21/clarifying-the-behavior-of-mandatory-aslr/

Other options that are tuned off by default and you should enable to make your Windows device more secure

Memory Integrity in Core Isolation

CFA - Controlled Folder Access

With the increasing number of threats in cyber security and new ransomwares, If you are only relying on Windows 10's built in security and not using any 3rd party AV such as Kaspersky, you must enable these features to keep yourself secure.

Hope everyone stay safe!

 
Microsoft added ASLR to the Windows Defender Exploit Guard in Windows 10 and 11. In the previous versions, like, Windows 7 and Vista, you had to install Microsoft EMET to run this feature. But now you can enable the same using the App & browser control section of the security Windows Defender Security Center without having a dependence on EMET. ASLR is the short form of Address Space Layout Randomization that executes codes on the OS using a random memory address.

But unfortunately, when users go to turn on this feature system-wide, a bug makes it unable to create adequate random data to start application binaries in random memory areas. As a result, it lets the users open to banal code reuse attacks. However, you can Enable ASLR in Windows Defender fixing up a little problem. If ASLR fails to perform after enabling it from Exploit Protection Settings, then you need to properly configure Windows Registry. Though Microsoft is expected to resolve this issue in the upcoming patches, until that time, you can enable it by performing a Registry tweak.

The process is as follows:

Step-1: Type in notepad in taskbar search and press Enter. Here, create a script by inputting the following texts into Notepad –

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\kernel]
"MitigationOptions"=hex:00,01,01,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00,00

Step-2: Once you have copied the entire text correctly into Notepad, click File option on the top and from the submenu select Save as. Save this file with a .reg extension such as ASLR.reg.

Step-3: Go to Windows search and type in regedit and press Enter when you notice the same command. 

Step-4: This opens the Registry Editor after selecting Yes on UAC prompt. Stay in the Registry window, click File option in the menu.

Step-5: Now from the dropdown, click on the option Import.

Step-6: Navigate to the location where you have stored the reg file in Step 2 above. Select the ASLR.reg file and click on the Open button to import the file.

Step-7: Finally, you notice that the file you have created previously with .reg name will be imported.

Reboot your PC and enjoy the feature. This is how you can fix the bug as well as Enable ASLR in Windows Defender in Windows 11 or 10.

Conclusion

Address Space Layout Randomization or ASLR is an important aid to Windows Defender in order to disburse the codes. Due to the attack of a malicious invader, this service is in danger and on the verge of a wreck. But we can make this great option functional again by fixing the bug only. Therefore we have discussed how to Enable ASLR in Windows Defender. This procedure is found to be effective in most cases and hopes it will be helpful for you too.

How do I enable ASLR on Windows?

Does Windows ASLR?

Is ASLR on by default?

How do you verify ASLR?