Automatic Windows event auditing configuration now available for unified sensors (V3.x)

Defender for Identity unified sensors (V3.x) will offer an opt-in feature from mid-Nov 2025 to automatically configure Windows event-auditing settings, simplifying deployment and ensuring consistent policies. Admins must enable this feature manually; it applies to all sensors and addresses specific auditing health issues. Introduction We’re introducing a new opt-in feature for automatic event-auditing configuration in Defender for Identity unified sensors (V3.x). This enhancement simplifies deployment by allowing admins to automatically apply the required Windows event-auditing settings on their sensors. It reduces manual post-deployment steps and ensures consistent policy enforcement across all onboarded sensors. When this will happen: General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCCH, and DoD): The auditing opt-in feature will be available starting mid-Nov 2025, with rollout expected to complete within the same timeframe. General Availability (Worldwide, GCC, GCCH, and DoD): The related auditing health alerts will be released gradually by mid-December 2025. How this affects your organization: Who is affected:Admins managing Defender for Identity unified sensors (V3.x) in Microsoft 365 tenants. What will happen: A new opt-in setting will be available in both the UI and via Graph API. In the UI, this option will appear under Defender for Identity Settings → Advanced features. Once enabled, the automatic configuration feature will: For new sensor activations: automatically apply all required Windows event-auditing settings during activation. For existing onboarded sensors: automatically apply auditing settings only if misconfigured, and dismiss the related health issues. The opt-in applies to all unified sensors in the tenant. This feature is not enabled by default and requires admin action. No changes will occur unless admins choose to enable the feature. Relevant auditing configurations health issues covered: What you can do to prepare: No action is required unless you choose to enable the feature. If you plan to opt in: Compliance considerations: NTLM auditing is not enabled Directory Services Advanced Auditing is not enabled as required Directory Services Object Auditing is not enabled as required Auditing on the Configuration container is not enabled as required Auditing on the ADFS container is not enabled as required Review your unified sensor deployment strategy. Enable the opt-in setting via the UI or […]

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