Windows 10: Controlled folder access block

Yesterday morning I was playing a game on my Windows 10 PC that requires me to have the disc inserted in my CD drive. When I went to play it today, I received a message that there was no disc inserted. I opened my CD drive and, lo and behold, my disc was right there. When I closed the drive, Windows asked me to choose what to do with this disc. I chose the 'run autorun.exe' option which brought up the game main menu so I definitely knew that the disc was being read. Unfortunately when I selected play, I received the 'no disc inserted' error message and a few seconds later, Windows Defender pops up with an 'Unauthorized changes blocked' message stating 'controlled folder access blocked the (C:\gamefile.exe) from making changes to memory. I couldn't start the game until I allowed the .exe file to the controlled folder access. Unfortunately for me, I had no idea Windows defender was doing this until AFTER I uninstalled and reinstalled the game.


WHY is Windows Defender doing this now when I have had no issue with this game for the past 2 years that I have owned and played it? Is there a way I can turn this feature off? I didn't ask for this feature to be added to my system and it has cost me almost 2 hours of troubleshooting this problem. Why did I not receive any messages from Windows, or Defender that this change was made to my system?

:)

 

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As for your query about having no sounds on your computer, it could be caused by an outdated or corrupted audio driver.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.

 

SETUPEXE blocked by Controlled Folder Access?

Suggestion to read:

• https://support.microsoft.com/en-us...older-access-windows-defender-security-center
• How to Configure and Use Controlled Folder Access in Windows 10 » Winhelponline
  
• Configure Controlled Folder Access in Windows 10 - gHacks Tech News
• Change Windows Defender Controlled Folder Access Settings
  - Windows 10 Security System Tutorials
• Controlled folder access notification only partly readable - Microsoft
  Community
• Controlled Folder Access - Odd Warning - Microsoft Community
  
• Windows 10 Folder Inaccessible - Microsoft Community
  

 

Stopping Windows Store apps being blocked by Controlled Folder Access

I have a couple of Windows Store apps that Controlled Folder Access blocks. When I try to include them in the list of apps that CFA doesn't block, I find that the folder \Program Files\WindowsApps is inaccessible, and the process of gaining access seems
completely opaque. I get through to the "Advanced Security Settings for WindowsApps" window, and the principal that seems relevant is "Administrators (<computer name>\Administrators)". However there doesn't seem to be any way of editing this item; the only
button that isn't greyed out is "View".

I can't imagine that it should be so difficult to tell CFA to allow Windows Store apps to access protected folders. Does anyone have any suggestions for how to deal with this problem?