Can endpoints running software like Notepad be marked as non-compliant?

Endpoints running software like Notepad can indeed be marked as non-compliant based on subjective compliance conditions. In many network environments, compliance isn’t solely determined by specific software presence or absence but rather encompasses a broader range of security and operational standards. For instance, if an organization has established specific policies that dictate what software must be installed and maintained for security reasons—such as various security applications, configurations, or even practices surrounding data handling—then an endpoint using software such as Notepad might be considered non-compliant if it violates those specific policies or requirements.

Compliance checks can include factors such as the security posture of the operating system, configurations that ensure data integrity and security, or adherence to organizational use policies. This makes it possible for even seemingly benign applications to contribute to a classification of non-compliance if they do not fit within the defined criteria for compliance set forth by the organization's security policies. Thus, subjective conditions that reflect the organization's standards can lead to an endpoint being marked as non-compliant even if it runs software that is generally considered benign.