Controlled folder access is a security feature on Windows 10 that protects your data by preventing unknown applications from writing to your directory. This helps reduce damage caused by ransomware, or software that makes your files inaccessible and demanding ransom. This wikiHow will show you how to turn this on.
Steps
Part 1
Part 1 of 2:
Turning On
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Open Windows Security (Microsoft Defender Security Center). Type in "Windows Security" or "Microsoft Defender" into the search box on the taskbar to open it. It has a white shield on a (typically) blue background.
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Choose "Virus and Threat Protection". It is the button with a shield.Advertisement
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Choose "Manage Ransomware Protection". It is under the section Ransomware Protection, which has a vault next to it.
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Turn the toggle on. This will stop the files in the specified folders from being edited.
- By default, Controlled folder access protects the Documents, Photos, Videos, Music, and the Favorites folders.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 2:
Allowing an App Through
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Click or tap on the notification saying that the app was blocked. It can be found in the action center or on the notification section and reads "Controlled folder access blocked [program] from making changes to [directory]".
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Click on "Allow an app through controlled folder access". You will be able to choose between recently blocked apps and all apps.
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Choose the apps to allow. In the recently blocked apps, choose "Allow". In all apps, navigate to the app to allow controlled folder access in File Explorer. Most apps are located in "C:\Program Files" or "C:\Program Files (x86)".Advertisement
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Warnings
- Only allow trusted apps through controlled folder access.Thanks
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Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 411 times.
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