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STATUS_PROCESS_IS_PROTECTED
The target is a protected process
Windows returns STATUS_PROCESS_IS_PROTECTED when process security or execution policy rejects the requested state or operation. The operation crossed the protection boundary of a protected or protected-light process. Administrator membership does not automatically grant access that the protection level forbids.
Record target protection level, signer category, requested access mask and caller identity. Use documented service interfaces instead of process-memory or thread manipulation.
Protection level is stronger than ordinary discretionary access control. Even an elevated debugger or service may be blocked, so confirm that the requested operation is supported for the target protection class before changing permissions.
References
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