Hardentools
A Windows utility that reduces attack surface by disabling risky features commonly abused by malware.
These buttons open the developer's own site, repository or store listing in a new tab. wares.gg does not host downloads.
1 more ways to get Hardentools
Other download sites
Run by third parties, not by The Hardentools contributors. Prefer the official page above when it works.
About Hardentools
Hardentools switches off Windows and application features that attackers often abuse but that most users never need. Its settings cover areas such as autorun, the command prompt, Windows Explorer behaviour, LSA protection, Microsoft Defender's potentially unwanted app detection, Adobe Reader and LibreOffice.
It is written in Go and offers both a graphical interface and a command-line mode. It suits non-technical users and those who look after family or office PCs and want a quick way to reduce common infection routes.
Strengths
- Disables commonly abused Windows and document reader features
- Graphical interface and command-line mode
- Covers Adobe Reader and LibreOffice as well as Windows
Limitations
- Windows only
- Disabled features may break workflows that rely on them
Details
- Pricing
- FreeFree, with source code published on GitHub.
- License
- Open source, license not stated
- Developer
- The Hardentools contributors
- Platforms
- Windows, Command line
- How it runs
- Downloadable app
- Account
- Not required
- Works offline
- Yes
- Best suited for
- Hardening everyday Windows PCs for users who do not need advanced features
- Categories
- System utilities, Security tools
- Last verified
- Added
- Provenance
- Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.
Alternatives to Hardentools
Compare allSoftware that can replace Hardentools for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.
privacy.sexy
Generates privacy and hardening scripts for Windows, macOS and Linux.
privacy.sexy generates readable hardening and privacy scripts for Windows, macOS and Linux that you review before running, rather than one-click feature disabling.
O&O ShutUp10++
Portable Windows tool that toggles telemetry and data collection settings.
O&O ShutUp10++ is a portable Windows tool that toggles telemetry and data collection settings with recommended defaults, focused on privacy rather than attack surface.
WPD
Windows privacy dashboard for telemetry, services and firewall rules.
WPD combines telemetry blocking, firewall rules and app removal in one portable Windows tool, closed source unlike Hardentools.
Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit
Microsoft tools and security baselines for analyzing, testing and comparing Windows security configurations.
Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit applies and compares official Windows security baselines through Group Policy, aimed at administrators rather than everyday hardening.
Similar software
Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.
simplewall
Puts a plain list of programs in front of the Windows Filtering Platform, so you decide what is allowed online.
