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

Updated November 19, 2025: We have updated the timeline. Thank you for your patience.

[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-December 2025 (previously mid-November), 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-January 2026 (previously mid-December).

[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.

• 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

[What you can do to prepare:]

No action is required unless you choose to enable the feature.

If you plan to opt in:

• Review your unified sensor deployment strategy.
• Enable the opt-in setting via the UI or Graph API.
• Communicate the change to relevant IT and security teams.
• Update internal documentation if you track auditing configurations.

To review the required auditing configurations for Defender for Identity unified sensors (V3.x)

For details about the relevant auditing health issues

[Compliance considerations:]

No compliance considerations identified, review as appropriate for your organization.