Smart App Control on Windows 11: How to turn it on or off

Intelligent App Control is a very useful tool in Windows 11 that helps protect your PC from unauthorized apps (such as ransomware or spyware) that can harm your data.

This article explains what Smart App Control is, how it works, and how to turn it on or off in Windows 11.

What is Smart App Control in Windows 11?

Smart App Control (SAC) is a new security feature introduced in the Windows 11 22H2 update. It works with Microsoft Defender or third-party antivirus software to block potentially unnecessary apps that can slow down your device, display unexpected ads, or perform other unexpected actions.

How does intelligent application control work?

Whenever you try to launch an app, Intelligent App Control uses AI (a cloud-powered security service) to check the security of the app before allowing it to run. If the security service deems it safe, SAC will let it run. However, when it is found to be malicious or potentially unwanted, it will be blocked.

If the security service is unsure of an application's security, Intelligent Application Control checks whether the application has a valid signature. If so, the app can run. However, unsigned or invalidly signed apps are blocked to keep you safe.

Smart App Control is disabled by default because it does not provide complete protection against apps in existing installations. Enabling Smart App Control may interrupt your regular operations. That's why Microsoft wants you to enable this feature manually.

How to turn Smart App Control on or off in Windows 11?

1. Enable Smart App Control in Windows 11

Note To activate Smart App Control (SAC), you must enable it manually by resetting your PC or performing a clean installation of Windows it. We recommend resetting your computer as it preserves your files and data.

1. Press the key and type "Windows Security Center" in the search box, then select the Windows Security Center app from the results. Windows
2. In the Windows Security app, go to App & Browser Control in the left sidebar and click Smart app control settings".
3. After resetting your PC or installing a new copy of Windows 11, Smart App Control will start in Evaluation mode.
4. If you want to turn on this feature manually, please select "Turn on".
5. Then, click "Yes" on the User Account Control prompt to enable the feature.

In evaluation mode, Windows checks the apps you use to see if Smart App Control can protect you without causing problems. If running well, Smart App Control will turn on automatically. But if it causes problems, it will shut itself down. Additionally, SAC does not block any apps in evaluation mode.

After activating Smart App Control, you will not have the option to revert to evaluation mode.

2. Disable Smart App Control in Windows 11

Note Once you disable Smart App Control, it becomes a permanent change. You won't be able to turn it back on or put it into evaluation mode without reinstalling or resetting Windows. Therefore, before proceeding, make sure that this feature must be turned off.

1. Click Show hidden icons in the corner of the taskbar, and then click the Windows Security Center icon in the system tray.
2. Move to the "Application and Browser Control" tab and click on the Smart App Control settings.
3. Select the "Turn off " option to turn off Smart App Control.
4. Then, click Yes, I'm sure in the confirmation box.

You can perform this operation whether SAC is on or in assessment mode. When this setting is turned off, other options will be grayed out unless you reset or reinstall Windows.

Another way to enhance system performance and remove unnecessary programs from your Windows system is to uninstall the included bloatware.

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