Controlled folder access in Windows Security reviews the apps that can make changes to files in protected folders and blocks unauthorized or unsafe apps from accessing or changing files in those folders. Select Start > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & threat protection.

Controlled Folder Access is a feature of Windows 10 that helps you protect your important local folders from unauthorized programs like ransomware or other malware. Learn how to enable it, use it, and troubleshoot it from this web page.

Use the Controlled folder access setting to manage which folders untrusted apps can make changes to. You can also add additional apps to the trusted list so they can make changes in those folders. This is a powerful tool to make your files safer from ransomware.

Windows 11 Windows 10. Note: This article focuses on how to share files or folders over a Local Area Network (or LAN), such as connected computers within your home or workplace. If you are trying to find out how to share a file over the Internet, for example with a friend or family member, OneDrive provides easy ways to accomplish this.

Summary. 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.

In Windows 10 or 11 turn on Controlled Folder Access to protect your important local folders from unauthorized programs like ransomware or other malware. Get ransomware detection and recovery with Microsoft 365 advanced protection. Store important files on Microsoft OneDrive.

Sharing OneDrive files, SharePoint files, or Lists with other people allows you to securely collaborate with people outside your organization. If you sign in with a work or school account, you can send a link to specific people, either inside or outside of your organization.

Option 1 — Change permissions on the file directly (grant only view permissions to UserA). Option 2 — Stop sharing the folder to UserA. This removes permissions to all subfiles and folders. Then, create a new share on the folder that has view permissions. For more information about permission inheritance, go to What is permissions inheritance?