Smart App Control in Windows 11: A step-by-step guide to understanding and enabling this protection

If you are concerned about security of your computer and you want to be one step ahead of potential computer threats, you've probably heard about smart app control Windows 11, also known as Smart App Control, is a tool specifically designed to protect your computer from suspicious applications, potentially unwanted software, and even those annoying ads that try to sneak into your system.

In recent years, keeping your PC safe has become a priority for users and businesses. Windows 11 has taken several steps forward by incorporating advanced protection features., and smart app control is undoubtedly one of the most interesting. Throughout this article, you'll discover in detail What exactly it is, how it works, how to activate and deactivate it, and why you should keep it in mind in your daily life. with your computer.

What is Windows 11 Smart App Control?

El smart application control o smart app control It is a feature built into Windows 11 designed to automatically block untrusted apps, those that can cause harm, slow down your computer, display unwanted ads, and even install additional software without your consent. It works as a filter that only allows the execution of programs and apps considered safe, helping to reduce the risk of infections by malware or the entry of untrusted software.

How does the system tell whether an app is trustworthy or not? It is based on several criteria, such as the digital signature of the developers (a kind of ID for apps that indicates who created them and whether they've been modified since publication) and the use of cloud-based intelligence services. These services analyze millions of apps daily and learn to distinguish between safe and dangerous behavior, even anticipating previously unseen threats in some cases.

For example, if an application lacks a valid digital signature and the system cannot determine through cloud intelligence whether it is secure, it is automatically considered untrusted and may be blocked. This not only protects your system from traditional malware, but also from those suspicious apps that could sneak in without you noticing..

Advantages and limitations of intelligent application control

One of the great advantages of Smart App Control is that It works as a complement to classic security tools, such as Windows DefenderIt doesn't replace other security solutions, but rather reinforces them, adding an additional layer of protection focused on real-time analysis of applications attempting to run on your PC.

Another relevant advantage is its ability to identify even unknown threats, thanks to machine learning and continuous analysis of cloud application behavior. This way, it blocks not only known malware but also unwanted software that tries to disguise itself.

However, It has some limitations that are worth knowing. On the one hand, smart app control is only available in Windows 11 version 22H2 or higherIf you have an older version, you'll need to update your operating system to take advantage of this feature. Additionally, Smart App Control can only be enabled on clean installs. This means that if your Windows 11 was updated from a previous version and not installed from scratch, you may not be able to use it unless you reinstall the entire system.

Finally, an important aspect to highlight is that It is not designed as a traditional antivirus nor does it remove malware on its own.Its main function is to prevent the execution of potentially dangerous applications, so it is advisable to complement it with other protection solutions.

How does the intelligence behind application control work?

The operation of intelligent application control is based on two main pillars: Digital signature of programs and intelligent analysis in the cloudWhen a developer publishes an app, it's recommended that they "sign" it using a digital certificate. This signature confirms that the app really comes from who they claim to and that it hasn't been altered since its publication. If you don't have this signature, the system starts to get suspicious.

The second pillar is the cloud-based intelligence engine, which collects data from millions of apps and analyzes their behavior. Thanks to this continuous learning, it can detect dangerous patterns even if it has never seen that specific app. So, if the digital signature is invalid and the system can't confirm the app's security through this intelligent analysis, the program will be blocked immediately, or at the very least, you'll receive a clear warning before allowing or denying its execution.

This is essential because Many current threats try to camouflage themselves as legitimate applications, requesting unnecessary permissions, installing additional software, or displaying intrusive ads. Smart App Control acts as a gatekeeper, evaluating each app before allowing it into your system.

How to enable Smart App Control in Windows 11

Enabling this feature is easy if you have the correct version of Windows 11 (22H2 or higher) and your system was installed from scratch. There are several ways to activate smart app control, although the most common is through Windows Settings.

Here's the step-by-step procedure to activate Smart App Control from Settings:

1. Use the shortcut Windows + I to open Windows 11 Settings.
2. Go to the tab Privacy & Security in the side menu.
3. Click on Windows security to access advanced options.
4. In the new window, click on Open Windows SecurityThe security center will open.
5. Within the menu on the left, locate and select Application and browser control.
6. Find the section Intelligent Application Control and click Smart App Control Configuration.
7. On the final screen, select the option Enabled to enable protection.

Once this process is done, Your computer will start analyzing every new application you try to install or run, automatically blocking those it deems suspicious or dangerous. If you prefer, you can first choose "Evaluation" mode, in which the system monitors your activity over time to determine if this control is appropriate for your regular use.

You can also enable Smart Application Control by manipulating the Windows Registry, although this method is intended for advanced users. Before making changes to the registry, it's essential to create a backup. If you're experienced, here are the steps:

1. Open Registry Editor (search for regedit in the start menu).
2. Go to the route: Machine\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CI\Policy.
3. On the right side, look for the value VerifiedAndReputablePolicyState and double click on it.
4. To activate the control, enter the value 1 (for evaluation mode, enter 2).
5. Save the changes and restart your computer for them to take effect.

This method is useful if you're having trouble with standard settings, but remember that manipulating the registry can cause errors if you don't know exactly what you're doing.

Steps to disable Smart App Control

Disabling Smart App Control is just as simple, though You should keep in mind that once disabled, you will not be able to reactivate it unless you reinstall a clean version of Windows 11 22H2 or higher.. Therefore, consider carefully whether you really need to remove it.

The steps to deactivate are as follows:

1. Open Settings using the shortcut Windows + I.
2. Accede to Privacy & Security > Windows Security > Open Windows Security.
3. Sign in App & Browser Control > Smart App Control Settings.
4. Check the option Disabled and protection will be disabled for future installations.

When disabling this feature, Windows 11 will stop scanning new apps you install and won't issue warnings about potential risks.The recommendation remains to download programs only from official or trusted sources to minimize the risk of infection.

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Isaac

Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.