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.

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. Run the System File Checker tool (SFC.exe)

This article describes the risks involved when a document that you are working on contains a link to a suspicious website or when you try to open a file from a suspicious website. Microsoft Office helps protect you from these risks with settings in the Trust Center.

A BitLocker recovery key is needed when BitLocker can’t automatically unlock an encrypted drive in Windows. This key, which is a 48-digit number, is used to regain access to the drive. You might be prompted for the BitLocker recovery key during startup, due to a security risk or hardware change:

The Microsoft Defender Offline scan will automatically detect and remove or quarantine malware. Learn how to remove malware from your PC. Use Microsoft Defender Antivirus in Windows 10 or Windows 11 to scan your PC for malware, viruses, or other threats.

How to block pop-ups in Microsoft Edge. In Edge, go to Settings and more at the top of your browser. Select Settings > Cookies and site permissions. Under All permissions, select Pop-ups and redirects. Turn on the Block (recommended) toggle.

Manage cookies in Microsoft Edge: View, allow, block, delete and use. Cookies are small pieces of data stored on your device by websites you visit. They serve various purposes, such as remembering login credentials, site preferences, and tracking user behavior.

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.

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 you run into problems downloading, installing, or updating the new Microsoft Edge , here are a few things you can try. The tips are listed in order, so start with the first one, see if that helps, and then continue to the next one if it doesn’t. 1. Check your operating system.