Windows Security has reputation-based protection that can help protect your PC from potentially unwanted applications. Potentially unwanted app blocking was first introduced in the Windows 10 May 2020 update and is turned on by default for enterprise customers, but off by default for consumers.

Go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection. Under Virus & threat protection settings , select Manage settings , and then under Exclusions , select Add or remove exclusions .

Select Start > Settings > Privacy & security. Select an App permission (for example, Location) then choose which apps can access it. The Privacy page won't list apps with permission to use all system resources. You can't use the Privacy settings to control what capabilities these apps can use. Windows Desktop apps fall under this category.

The software will search your computer for low to medium severity Malware, including but not limited to, spyware, and other potentially unwanted software ("Potentially Unwanted Software"). The software will only remove or disable low to medium severity Potentially Unwanted Software if you agree.

Windows Security, formerly known as Windows Defender Security Center, is an app built into Windows 10 or 11 that helps keep your PC more secure. It includes Microsoft Defender Antivirus, an antivirus tool that helps protect you against viruses, ransomware, and other malware.

Starting with Microsoft Windows XP, a security policy named Software Restriction Policies (also known as SAFER) was introduced to help users avoid running unsafe files. Windows Installer uses Software Restriction Policies to verify the signatures of signed .msi package files and signed .msp package files.

Change privacy settings in Windows. Choose how much information you want to share with Microsoft by changing your privacy settings. To do this, select Start , then open Settings , and select Privacy & security . You'll see a list of general privacy options. There are links to specific privacy settings on the left of the page.

In Windows 10, go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > App & browser control. In Windows 11, go to Start > Settings > Privacy & security > Windows Security > App & browser control. Choose your preferred settings for Windows Defender SmartScreen. Website access of the language list

Windows can help you stay under your data plan limit and look for ways to reduce data usage. After you set a data limit, we'll let you know when you're getting near it. Select the Start button, then enter settings. Select Settings > Network & internet.

This policy setting lets you configure the logic that Windows uses to determine the risk for file attachments. Preferring the file handler instructs Windows to use the file handler data over the file type data. For example, it instructs Windows to trust Notepad.exe, but do not trust .txt files.