Windows 10: Actions being blocked by Protected Folder Access

I been getting notifications of Blocked access. I thought this was protecting my computer but now it's not letting me complete a Restart. It says administrator has blocked access through the Controlled folder access of the Windows Security Ransomeware Protection. Should I turn off the Controlled folder access in Ransomeware Protection? The blocking history goes back to the beginning of January and has several blocked access with Low status. If it's blocking the restart process from completing perhaps that's why I can not complete the System update to version 2004 also? Any thoughts?


[Original Title: Actions being blocked]

:)

 

PROTECTED FOLDER ACCESS

I am not even sure I can properly word this to ask the question but will try. In SETTINGS and then in WINDOWS SECURITY, I find a "section" that is shown as "PROTECTION HISTORY" and here there are listed, in my system, four items. This page is shown as PROTECTION
HISTORY and immediately below it is the statement: "View the latest protection actions and recommendations from Windows Security." And immediately next is: "Filtered by: Blocked folder access Filters (with a down pointing arrow).

Then it shows four actions, which are

PROTECTED FOLDER ACCESS BLOCKED Low

1/19/2020 1:18 AM

IF you click on the item, it then shows:

Your administrator has blocked this action

App or process blocked:

Protected Folder:

Blocked by: Controlled folder access

You can allow apps to access your protected folders, but

you should only allow apps you trust.

Controlled folder access settings

PROTECTED FOLDER ACCESS BLOCKED Low

1/10/2020 11:18 AM

PROTECTED FOLDER ACCESS BLOCKED Low

1/6/2020 5:17 PM

PROTECTED FOLDER ACCESS BLOCKED Low

12/22/19 2:39 PM

Each of the items listed are the same with different folders being shown for each. Here then are my questions:

1. This has never happened since I went to Windows 10 in August of 2016, until the last item shown above which is dated December 22, 2019.
Why did this suddenly begin happening?

I never download anything unless I trust the source. If it is from some unknown source and it looks like it would be great to use, I will first go to CNet.com and see if it is listed and what is shown relative to the app. If it then appears safe and useful
and will do what I think it will do, I will download it and install it. Therefore my next question is:

How do I avoid the above happening when I download something?

Is there a "global" setting that will avoid the system from stopping what I am attempting to do or, must I follow some action every time I want to download and install a new app?

Is this the result of some new feature included in some new update and if so, how do I avoid these types of features that change normal processes into something of a headache?

Wouldn't it be nice if we could review all aspects of new updates and disallow the features or sections we do not want when we want the other parts of the update?

Lastly, what other information or advice can you offer with regards to this situation?

Thanks for your attempts to help.

 

What does "Protected folder access blocked" mean?

Hi Ronaldo

Windows 10 Defender has a new security feature called Controlled Folder Access, that is designed to protect your system against Ransomware attacks

Sometimes it will block an application from accessing your personal folders, if you trust the application in question, you can add it to the list of allowed apps through Controlled Folder Access . . .

Open Windows Defender Security Center

Go to Virus & threat protection - Virus & threat protection settings

Scroll down to Controlled folder access

From there, you can add an app to the list of safe or allowed apps to prevent them from being blocked

Please do not leave Controlled Folder Access turned off permanently

 

Controlled Folder Access blocked

Hi Aeolus0,

The Controlled Folder Access is an enterprise-class ransomware protection component that was recently added to Windows Defender. When you turn on Controlled folder access, a lot of the folders you use most often will be protected by default. This means that
content in any of these folders cannot be accessed or changed by any unknown or untrusted apps. Once you add additional folders, they become automatically protected as well. To add protected folders:

• Select Virus & threat protection settings.
• Under Controlled folder access, select Protected folders.
• Select Add a protected folder and follow the prompts to add folders.

If you see an App is blocked message when you try to use a familiar app, you can simply unblock the app. If this message displays:

• Write down or take note of the path of the blocked app.
• Select the message, and then select Add an allowed app.
• Browse for the program you want to allow access.

As for your query about having no sounds on your computer, it could be caused by an outdated or corrupted audio driver. For us to assist you better, kindly answer the questions below:

• Have you made any changes to your computer prior to this issue?
• What troubleshooting steps have you done so far?
• Which version and OS build number of Windows 10 is currently installed? To check, press the
  Windows key, type winver, and press the
  Enter key.
• Have you tried to download and install the latest audio driver from the manufacturer's website of your device?

Meanwhile, you can try the steps in this
link to troubleshoot sound issues on Windows 10.

We'll be looking forward to your reply.