Application Control prevents unauthorized code execution and enforces software licensing through the “trusted ownership” model and uses an improved approach to traditional whitelisting and blacklisting. It also manages user privileges and policy at a granular level whilst allowing for optional self-elevation when exceptions occur. Application Control keeps IT security requirements in balance with user productivity needs, delivering endpoint security through privilege and application control, increased corporate compliance, improved platform stability and consistency, and significant reductions in both IT support and software licensing costs.