Windows 10: Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 KB5127648 Update Can Block Users From Turning On Smart App...

Microsoft has confirmed that the October KB5127648 security update for Windows 11 can prevent some users from turning on Smart App Control, according to an update to the official KB5127648 support document.

On affected devices running Windows 11 version 24H2 and later, the Smart App Control option in the Windows Security app is grayed out and cannot be toggled.

A permanent fix is not available yet. Microsoft has published two temporary workarounds, one based on the registry and one based on Group Policy, aimed mainly at IT administrators who manage enterprise devices.

Which Windows 11 Devices Are Affected by the Smart App Control Bug


Smart App Control is a Windows 11 security feature that uses Microsoft's app intelligence services and code integrity features. It works alongside Microsoft Defender and SmartScreen to block apps or binaries that may be harmful.

The problem only hits systems where the feature was switched off before the update. "After installing this update, some devices might be unable to turn on Smart App Control in the Windows Security app if it has been turned off," Microsoft says in the advisory. The company adds that devices where Smart App Control is already turned on are not affected and remain protected.

Users who never planned to enable Smart App Control will not notice any change. The bug matters for anyone who wants to switch the protection on after installing the October update, a step that is blocked on affected systems.

Microsoft's Registry and Group Policy Workarounds


Microsoft's registry workaround restores the toggle on affected devices. It requires administrator rights and a restart:

1. Type cmd in the Windows Search box.
2. Select Run as Administrator to open an elevated Command Prompt window.
3. Enter reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Policies\Microsoft\FeatureManagement\Overrides" /v 2883193997 /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f and press Enter.
4. Enter reg add "HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Policies\Microsoft\FeatureManagement\Overrides" /v 2850574478 /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f and press Enter.
5. Restart the device, then open the Windows Security app and turn on Smart App Control.

Administrators of managed fleets can install two Group Policy packages instead. Microsoft lists them as KB5074105 261015_19222 Feature Preview and KB5074105 261015_19221 Feature Preview, both covering Windows 11 versions 24H2, 25H2, and 26H2.

Once installed, the policies appear under Computer Configuration, Administrative Templates, the Group Policy name, and then Windows 11, version 24H2, 25H2.

Both settings must be set to Enabled, and the affected devices need a restart before the change applies. The policies also turn on logging for troubleshooting.

The Smart App Control issue is the latest in a series of confirmed problems with recent Windows 11 updates. Earlier this week, Microsoft also resolved a separate bug behind black screens and Explorer crashes after sign-in, and it acknowledged Remote Desktop failures for non-admin users when the Administrator protection feature is enabled.

Microsoft has not said when a fix for the Smart App Control toggle will ship, and the registry and Group Policy changes remain temporary measures until that update arrives.

Thank you for being a Ghacks reader. The post Microsoft Confirms Windows 11 KB5127648 Update Can Block Users From Turning On Smart App Control appeared first on gHacks.

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Microsoft Confirms Windows, Office 6-Month Update Cycle

Microsoft has been steadily increasing stability, features and, the company hopes, attractiveness of its latest Windows 10 operating system. Recently, its Creator's Update has brought, among other features, a performance-boosting Game Mode, a 3D version of the popular and (respectably ancient) Paint app, as well as increased privacy control, something users clamored for. Now, the Redmond company has confirmed that it's looking towards a six month update cycle for Windows 10 (thus aligning it with Office 365 ProPlus), looking to streamline and increase predictability of its support.

Microsoft released the Windows 10 Anniversary Update in August 2016, and the Creators Update made its public debut on April 11 2017, which is already close to the six-month update cycle the company is now confirming (seven months, in this case.) Now the company has confirmed that it plans to release its next step on the Windows 10 operating system on September 2017. From then on, updates should arrive in a steady cadence, on every subsequent March and September. Each Windows 10 feature release will be serviced and supported for 18 months, as is currently the case, and the company has also added that its System Center Configuration Manager will support this new aligned update model for Office 365 ProPlus and Windows 10, "making both easier to deploy and keep up to date."







Source: Blogs.Windows.com, Tom's Hardware

 

blocking apps

Hi,

Thank you for posting your query on Microsoft Community.

I suggest you to follow the below steps and check if it helps:

• Log in to https://familysafety.microsoft.com/ using your Microsoft Email account.
• Find the user that is correspond to the computer account on the Windows that you are having issue with.
• Click on "App Restrictions".
• Under App Restrictions, click on "App list".
• Here, you can Allow or Block the Apps/Games that you want.

Please let us know if you need further assistance.

Thank you.

 

Smart App Control blocked part of App

Hello RichardHornby1, welcome to the Microsoft community, I'll be happy to help you today;

I understand Smart App Control is blocking an app;

The only way to get the app running is to disable the Smart App Control feature;

If you want to disable the feature, see the link below:

https://www.lifewire.com/turn-on-off-smart-app-...

Disclaimer: There are links to non-Microsoft websites. The pages appear to provide accurate and secure information. Watch out for ads on websites that may advertise products that are often classified as PUPs (Potentially Unwanted Products). Thoroughly research any product advertised on websites before deciding to download and install it.

Note: if you disable this feature it will not be possible to enable it again, to reactivate it you will need to perform a new installation of the 22H2 version of Windows 11;

Hope this helps, see you soon!