

Select Virus & threat protection and scroll down to find Controlled folder access. For that, right-click on the Windows Defender icon and select Open. So how do you enable and use Controlled Folder Access in Windows 10? Open Windows Defender Security Center. If you do so, this security feature will no longer be able to protect your folder. One important thing is you cannot change the folder location or move that protected folder from one place to another after adding that to your list. However, the best part is that you can add any other folder to the list. If you enable Controlled Folder Access, all your Library folders such as Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, Favorites as well as Desktop will be protected automatically. Instead of ‘Enabled’ you can also use ‘AuditMode’. Run PowerShell as administrator and execute the following command: Set-MpPreference -EnableControlledFolderAccess Enabled Turn on Controlled folder access using PowerShell Audit Mode – Change will be allowed but will be recorded in the Windows event log.Disable – All apps can make changes to files in protected folders.Enable – Suspicious are not be allowed to make changes to files in protected folders.Run gpedit.msc and navigate to the following setting:Ĭomputer configuration > Administrative templates > Windows components > Windows Defender Antivirus > Windows Defender Exploit Guard > Controlled folder access.ĭouble-click the Configure Controlled folder access setting and set the option to Enabled.

You can also use the Group Policy Editor. Which are the default protected foldersĮnable Controlled folder access using Group Policy Editor Moreover, if an unauthorized process tries to access that protected folder, it will be blocked immediately, and you will be notified right away. If you enable Controlled Folder Access on any folder, your system will keep monitoring all the changes in real-time and let you know if any unauthorized access is occurring. This security feature comes with Windows 11/10, and you will find it included in Windows Defender Security Center – Now called Windows Security. Controlled Folder Access in Windows 11/10 Let us see how to enable and use Controlled Folder Access in Windows 11/10 – which is a part of the Exploit Guard feature in Windows Defender. While one can always use an anti-ransomware software, Windows 11/10 now makes it easier by introducing Controlled Folder Access feature in Windows Defender Security Center. Ransomware is rampant today, and you need to take additional care to secure your Windows computer, apart from just installing an antivirus software.
