Windows 10: Add Allow App through Controlled Folder Access context menu Windows 10

How to: Add Allow App through Controlled Folder Access context menu Windows 10

How to Add "Allow App through Controlled Folder Access" context menu in Windows 10


Starting with Controlled folder access is introduced in Windows Defender Antivirus.

When Controlled folder access is turned on, it helps you protect valuable data from malicious apps and threats, such as ransomware. It is part of Windows Defender Exploit Guard.

You can specify if certain apps should always be considered safe and given write access to files in Allowing apps can be useful if you're finding a particular app that you know and trust is being blocked by the Controlled folder access feature.

By default, Windows adds apps that it considers friendly to the allowed list - apps added automatically by Windows are not recorded in the list shown in the Windows Defender Security Center app. You shouldn't need to add most apps. Only add apps if they are being blocked and you can verify their trustworthiness.

When you add an app, you have to specify the app's location. Only the app in that location will be permitted access to the protected folders - if the app (with the same name) is located in a different location, then it will not be added to the allow list and may be blocked by Controlled folder access.

For more details about Controlled folder access, see:

• Help prevent ransomware and threats from encrypting and changing files | Microsoft Docs
• See how CFA can help protect files from being changed by malicious apps | Microsoft Docs
• Turn on the protected folders feature in Windows 10 | Microsoft Docs
• Add additional folders and apps to be protected by Windows 10 | Microsoft Docs
• Stopping ransomware where it counts: Protecting your data with Controlled folder access Microsoft Secure

This tutorial will show you how to add and remove an Allow app through Controlled folder access context menu for all users in Windows 10.

*Warning You must be signed in as an administrator to add, remove, or use the "Allow app through Controlled folder access" context menu.

*note The "Allow app through Controlled folder access" context menu will be available when you right click or shift + right click on a .exe or .com file. When you use this context menu, it will add the app (.exe or .com file) to the list of Controlled folder access allowed apps. This will make it easy for you to add an allowed app you want on demand without having to do so through Windows Security.

*note You will need to restart the computer after adding anything to Controlled Folder Access to apply.


EXAMPLE: "Allow app through Controlled folder access" context menu








Here's How:

1. Do step 2 (add-right click), step 3 (add-Shift+right click) , or step 4 (remove) below for what you would like to do.


2. To Add Right Click "Allow app through Controlled folder access" Context Menu
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

Add_Allow_app_through_Controlled_folder_access_context_menu.reg

Download

3. To Add Shift + Right Click "Allow app through Controlled folder access" Context Menu
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

Add_Shift+Allow_app_through_Controlled_folder_access_context_menu.reg

Download

4. To Remove "Allow app through Controlled folder access" Context Menu
*note This is the default setting.
A) Click/tap on the Download button below to download the file below, and go to step 5 below.

Remove_Allow_app_through_Controlled_folder_access_context_menu.reg

Download
5. Save the .reg file to your desktop.

6. Double click/tap on the downloaded .reg file to merge it.

7. When prompted, click/tap on Run, Yes (UAC), Yes, and OK to approve the merge.

8. You can now delete the downloaded .reg file if you like.


That's it,
Shawn


Related Tutorials

• How to Enable or Disable Windows Defender Exploit Guard Controlled Folder Access in Windows 10
• How to Add Turn On or Off Controlled Folder Access context menu Windows 10
• How to Add or Remove Protected Folders for Controlled Folder Access in Windows 10
• How to Add or Remove Allowed Apps through Controlled Folder Access in Windows 10

:)

 

Add an Allowed App through Controlled Folder Access in Windows Defender Security Center

Hello 91fw, *Smile

Here's the context menu for adding apps to the allowed list to help.

*Arrow Add Allow App through Controlled Folder Access context menu Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

That quote means that you can add an .exe file you consider to be safe to be allowed access to your protected folders. Basically, an app exception list.

 

Turn On or Off Controlled Folder Access in Windows Defender Security Center

You're most welcome Steve.

If you like, here's something to help make it easier to add apps to the allowed CFA list as needed.

*Arrow Add Allow App through Controlled Folder Access context menu Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

 

Add an Allowed App through Controlled Folder Access in Windows Defender Security Center

Hello @Frosti7, and welcome to Ten Forums. *Smile

The registry key you posted above is a protected key, and you would have to take ownership and change permissions to allow full control of it before you will be able to add apps via a .batch file.


If you like, you might see if adding the context menu below may help to make it easier to add allowed apps as needed via Windows Security.

*Arrow Add Allow App through Controlled Folder Access context menu Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials

 

How to remove drive from list of allowed apps in "controlled folder access"

I recently enabled controlled folder access in the Windows Security app. I was running an executable from a USB (assigned drive letter 'I:') that required access to one of my protected folders, so I allowed it via

Windows Security>Virus & threat protection>Manage ransomware protection>Allow an app through controlled folder access>Add an allowed app

After removing the USB drive the program I allowed is no longer in the list of allowed apps under "allow an app through controlled folder access". However, now "Drive (I" is listed as an allowed app.

It appears that I cannot remove the drive from the list of allowed apps. How can I remove it?

 

Add Protected Folders to Controlled Folder Access in Windows 10  

@maranna No need for copy /paste. You'll get a list of last blocked apps, and click on one to allow it trough.

*Arrow Add or Remove Allowed Apps for Controlled Folder Access in Windows 10 | Windows 10 Tutorials