Block you from uninstalling a program through Add or Remove Programs (or Programs and Features) in Control Panel. If you're trying to remove malware, you can use Windows Security (or another antivirus tool), or you can use the Windows Malicious Software Removal tool.

User Account Control (UAC) is designed to prevent unauthorized changes to Windows. When an action requires administrator-level permissions, UAC prompts you to approve or deny the change. This helps protect your Windows device from malicious software and unauthorized modifications.

In the Windows Security app on your PC, select App & browser control, or use the following shortcut: App & browser control. Smart App Control adds significant protection from new and emerging threats by blocking apps that are malicious or untrusted.

There are different ways to remove apps and programs, so if you can't find the one you're looking for, you can try another location. Note that some apps and programs are built into Windows and can't be uninstalled. You can try to repair a program first, if it's just not running correctly.

Follow these steps to automatically diagnose and repair Windows security problems by turning on UAC, DEP protection, Windows Firewall, and other Windows security options and features. Select the Download button on this page. In the File Download dialog box, click Run or Open, and then follow the steps in the Windows Security Troubleshooter. Notes:

First, you'll need to download the troubleshooter. Download troubleshooter. If you see the File Download box when you start downloading, select Run or Open. The troubleshooter provides steps for you to follow. If a program isn't listed in the uninstall options, you'll be asked for that program's product code.

To configure potentially unwanted app blocking go to Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > App & browser control > Reputation-based protection settings. There you'll find a control that lets you turn potentially unwanted app blocking off, and select if you want to block apps, downloads, or both.

In Windows 11, use the Privacy page to choose which apps can use a particular feature. 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.

To fix this, follow these steps: Click the Start button, then type Windows Firewall in the Search box. Click Windows Firewall, and then click Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall. Click the Change settings button. If a User Account Control window appears, click Yes, or enter your user name and password, then click OK.

When you try to access or work with files and folders in Windows, you experience one or more of the following issues: Issue 1: You receive an "Access Denied" error message or a similar message. Issue 2: You cannot access, change, save, or delete files and folders. Issue 3: You cannot open a file or folder after you install a new version of Windows.