Every time controlled folder access blocks an attempt to make changes to protected folders, an alert is generated on Windows Defender ATP. “The controlled folder access feature seamlessly integrates with Windows Defender Advanced Threat Protection. “In enterprise environments, controlled folder access can also be enabled and managed using Group Policy, PowerShell, or configuration service providers for mobile device management,” Microsoft pointed out. They can immediately add new folders to the protected folders list and whitelist apps. They must click on the “Virus & threat protection settings”, and flip the switch to “On”. The easiest way for tech-unsavvy home users to switch it on is through the Windows Defender Security Center app, under the “Virus & threat protection” menu. If, on the other hand, an unauthorized app tries to make a change to the files in those folder, it will be stopped and the user will get a notification about the attempt: “You can also allow apps that you trust to access protected folders, so if you’re using unique or custom programs, your productivity is not affected,” Microsoft explained. Those can’t be removed from the list of protected folders, but other folders can be added to it, including folders on other drives, network shares and mapped drives. How does controlled folder access work?Ĭontrolled folder access locks down folders, allowing only authorized (whitelisted) apps to access and modify files.īy default, it protects common folders where important data are stored – folders like Documents, Pictures, Movies, and Desktop. It’s called controlled folder access, and is part of Windows Defender Exploit Guard, a new set of host intrusion prevention defenses that walks in the footsteps of Microsoft’s Enhanced Mitigation Experience Toolkit (EMET). With last week’s release of Windows 10 Fall Creators Update, users get a new feature aimed at stopping ransomware from encrypting their most important files.
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