Windows 10: Controlled Folder Access Grayed out and Set to On. No AntiVirus installed and it's the same...

Everything was fine until it wasn't. Suddenly I couldn't save files from Atom as it says 'File not found. …'.


Digged deeper in the web and found out that it's something to do with the Controlled Folder Access. Tried to access that page to change it but it says 'Your IT Administrator has limited access to some areas of this app'. Yet, this is just a home laptop and I'm the only user and admin.


Did more research and changed something in the settings, then finally I managed to see the page itself, only to find out that the toggle for Controlled File Access has been grayed out and set to on. It says 'This setting is managed by your administrator'. Like, seriously?


Many of the responses online are about having another Antivirus who might have control over this setting, but I haven't had one in a long time. In fact, I just reformatted this PC earlier today hoping to fix the problem the old-fashioned way, but to no avail.


I managed to dance around the settings and unblock the blocked apps on the same page and Atom can finally save a file to the PC now.


But I still really wanna find out what the heck is going on here.

:)

 

"Gray Screen of Death"

Thanks for your informative post!

I had solved my 2D & gray screen issue using advice posted by erocker (see below)
Mainly it involves creating a profile and putting higher 2D clocks:

 

Controlled Folder Access is off. Shouldn't this be on?

Suggestion to also read

• this article (ignore ads):
  How to Protect Your Files From Ransomware With Windows Defender’s New “Controlled Folder Access”
• and this thread:
  Controlled Folder Access Feature in Windows 10 Fall Creators Update Questions?
  

 

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.