The settings on the App & browser control page let you: Block unrecognized apps, files, malicious sites, downloads, and web content. Set up warnings for unrecognized apps, files, malicious sites, downloads, and web content. Turn off blocking and warnings altogether.

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 off by default for enterprise and consumer customers.

If some Windows functions aren't working or Windows crashes, use the System File Checker to scan Windows and restore your files. Though the steps below might look complicated at first glance, just follow them in order, step-by-step, and we’ll try to get you back on track.

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.

The Program Install and Uninstall troubleshooter helps you automatically repair issues when you're blocked from installing or removing programs. It also fixes corrupted registry keys. First, you'll need to download the troubleshooter.

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.

If you trust a file, file type, folder, or a process that Windows Security has detected as malicious, you can stop Windows Security from alerting you or blocking the program by adding the file to the exclusions list.

Protect yourself from malware and phishing. Microsoft security help and learning. Smart App Control is a feature of Windows 11 that helps to block malicious, untrusted, or potentially unwanted apps from running on your device.

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.

To control which apps can use each capability in Windows 11. Go to Start , then select Settings > Privacy & security. Select the capability you want to allow apps to use, such as Calendar or Contacts. Turn the setting on or off that allows anyone using the device to have access to the capability.