Welcome
Application Control
BigFix Application Control 2.x lets IT administrators centrally manage and enforce application allowlisting on Windows endpoints using Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC). Built on BigFix, it delivers kernel-level execution control, deny-by-default policy enforcement, TPM-backed code signing, and compliance-ready audit reporting across the enterprise.
Application Control v1.0.0 (To be deprecated)
BigFix Application Control v1.0.0 is a lightweight, native enforcement system for managing application execution across enterprise endpoints. It delivers policy-driven application control within BigFix, enabling IT administrators to enforce usage policies with real-time monitoring and streamlined exception management.
User Guide
This guide is for desktop users or end users who will use .
Application Control Overview
BigFix Application Control is a native, Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC)-based, policy-driven enforcement system for comprehensive application management across enterprise Windows endpoints. IT administrators gain real-time visibility and granular control over application execution; endpoint users are protected by automated policy enforcement with a clear, self-service exception request workflow for legitimate access when an application is blocked.
End-User Audience
This guide is for desktop and endpoint users (non-administrators) working on BigFix Application Control-managed endpoints. It covers three key scenarios: understanding and responding to notifications when a blocklisted application is blocked, raising a formal exception request to request access to a blocked application, and viewing the current allowlisted and blocklisted application inventory in the Self Service Application (SSA) portal.

BigFix Documentation Homepage
BigFix 11 Lifecycle Documentation
Welcome to the BigFix Lifecycle documentation, where you can find information about how to install, maintain, and use BigFix Lifecycle.
BigFix Platform
BigFix Query
Lifecycle overview
BigFix Lifecycle is single-agent, single-console technology that provides near real-time visibility into the state of endpoints.
Lifecycle guides in PDF format
Following is a list of links to the BigFix Lifecycle guides in PDF format:
Software Distribution
Use the BigFix Software Distribution applications to deploy software to endpoints across your network from a single location. Maintain control and visibility into software delivery and installation. Device owners can use the Self Service Application to manage software and other BigFix actions that are deployed to them as offers.
OS Deployment
BigFix OS Deployment, which is part of the BigFix Lifecycle Management suite, provides a consolidated, comprehensive solution to quickly deploy new workstations and servers throughout a network from a single, centralized location. This solution saves time and money, enforces a standardized and approved image, and reduces risks associated with non-compliant or insecure configurations.
Remote Control
BigFix Remote Control application helps to communicate between different components, clients, and endpoints within BigFix environment.
Power Management
Use Power Management to control, monitor, and manage conservation policies in your deployment.
Application Control
BigFix Application Control 2.x lets IT administrators centrally manage and enforce application allowlisting on Windows endpoints using Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC). Built on BigFix, it delivers kernel-level execution control, deny-by-default policy enforcement, TPM-backed code signing, and compliance-ready audit reporting across the enterprise.
- Application Control 2.x
  BigFix® Application Control 2.x uses Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) as its enforcement engine to apply application allowlisting and blocklisting policies at the kernel level across managed Windows endpoints — centrally managed through the BigFix® Console without relying on Group Policy Objects or separate tools.
- Migrate AC v1.0.0 to v2.x
  Migrate from the custom BAC rule engine in BigFix Application Control v1.0.0 to the Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC)-based enforcement model in v2.x. This one-time, non-reversible six-step process exports existing allowlist rules for recreation as WDAC Supplemental Policies, removes v1.0.0 BAC components from endpoints, deploys a WDAC base policy, and verifies policy activation across managed endpoints.
- Application Control v1.0.0 (To be deprecated)
  BigFix Application Control v1.0.0 is a lightweight, native enforcement system for managing application execution across enterprise endpoints. It delivers policy-driven application control within BigFix, enabling IT administrators to enforce usage policies with real-time monitoring and streamlined exception management.
  - Release Notes
    A summary of new or changed features and enhancements included in BigFix Application Control.
  - Administrator Guide
    This guide is for users who want to administer Application Control.
  - User Guide
    This guide is for desktop users or end users who will use .
    - Application Control Overview
      BigFix Application Control is a native, Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC)-based, policy-driven enforcement system for comprehensive application management across enterprise Windows endpoints. IT administrators gain real-time visibility and granular control over application execution; endpoint users are protected by automated policy enforcement with a clear, self-service exception request workflow for legitimate access when an application is blocked.
      - End-User Audience
        This guide is for desktop and endpoint users (non-administrators) working on BigFix Application Control-managed endpoints. It covers three key scenarios: understanding and responding to notifications when a blocklisted application is blocked, raising a formal exception request to request access to a blocked application, and viewing the current allowlisted and blocklisted application inventory in the Self Service Application (SSA) portal.
    - Blocked Application Notifications
      When an end user on a BigFix Application Control-managed Windows endpoint attempts to launch a blocklisted or unauthorized application, the system immediately displays a pop-up notification indicating the application is blocked. The user can either close the notification and contact their administrator for more information, or click the Request Access button to submit a formal application exception request.
    - Raise Application Exception Request
      End users on BigFix Application Control-managed endpoints can raise a temporary exception request for a blocklisted application directly from the blocked application notification using the Request Access button. The request requires a business justification and a valid start-to-end date window; it is routed to the organization's exception manager for approval via a ServiceNow ticket, and the application is automatically re-blocked after the end date. A maximum of 60 exception requests can be raised per endpoint.
    - View Exception Request Tickets
      End users on BigFix Application Control-managed endpoints can view all the application exception request tickets they have self-raised by accessing the My Approvals section in the ServiceNow™ service portal. From the All Approvals screen, click any ticket number to open the Approval Form and see its full details. Users can only view their own exception request tickets.
    - Support
      Access a variety of resources for additional information and support on this product, including the Knowledge Center, Support Center, Developer site, and user forums. These links provide documentation, technical assistance, and community discussions to help you maximize your use of BigFix. Refer to the listed resources for comprehensive guidance and troubleshooting.
    - Notices
  - Exception Manager Guide
    Designed for Exception Managers, this guide details the effective use of the ServiceNow™ tool. It highlights important features, functionalities, and best practices for managing exceptions efficiently.
  - Application Control V1 Readme
Server Automation
Server Automation provides powerful automation. You can use it to sequence automation actions in steps across multiple endpoints.
Virtual Endpoint Manager
HCL BigFix Virtual Endpoint Manager (VEM) enhances BigFix with centralized, unified endpoint management for hybrid cloud and data center environments, spanning virtual machines and physical endpoints. VEM delivers real-time endpoint visibility, policy-driven automation for configuration and compliance remediation, and consistent security controls to streamline IT operations, reduce risk, and strengthen regulatory compliance.
Profile Management
Profile Management is a WebUI-based feature of BigFix Lifecycle. It provides Security Administrators the capability to define and deploy security policies to Windows 10 and macOS devices.
BigFix Remediate
BigFix MCM

Intended Audience: BigFix Application Control End-User Guide

This guide is for desktop and endpoint users (non-administrators) working on BigFix Application Control-managed endpoints. It covers three key scenarios: understanding and responding to notifications when a blocklisted application is blocked, raising a formal exception request to request access to a blocked application, and viewing the current allowlisted and blocklisted application inventory in the Self Service Application (SSA) portal.

This guide is for desktop users or end-users (non-admin users) who want to use an endpoint which has BigFix® Application Control installed on it.

It provides details on how-to use the features of BigFix® Lifecycle Application Control by a desktop or end user when using a managed endpoint in a BigFix® environment. For example: when are the end users notified by the solution when they try to use any blocklisted application, how to raise an exception request for a blocklisted application.

Let us explore the user guide in detail.