Overall, quite a few factors affect the experience of Windows users as they use their devices but regarding influence, applications don’t have many competitors. Being able to download, install and run apps on Windows dictates the way people perceive their time on the computer. Needless to say, issues that complicate the use of apps bug Windows users to no end for most of the time. Read to the end if the “your organization used Windows Defender Application Control to block this app” error is giving you a hard time.
What Must Be Done
Switch Out Of Windows 10 S Mode
You can dismiss the error by switching to standard versions of Windows. Keep in mind that you won’t be able to return to S mode.
- Step 1: Open Start menu then click the gear icon to open ‘Settings’
- Step 2: Navigate to ‘Update & security’ then hit ‘Activation. Under the Switch to Windows 10 Pro/ Switch to Windows 10 Home, hit ‘Go to the store’.
- Step 3: Pick ‘Get’ button on the page that says ‘Switch out of S mode’
Disable Secure Boot
- Step 1: Turn your computer off and on again
- Step 2: Repeatedly press ESC to go to Startup menu
- Step 3: Press F10 to open BIOS Setup. It’s noteworthy that the key to press dpend on the motherboard.
- Step 4: Check ‘Boot Options’
- Step 5: Disable ‘Secure Boot’
Turn Off Windows Defender
Option 1: Using Group Policy Editor
- Step 1: Press Win + R, type gpedit.msc and hit enter to open ‘Group Policy Editor’.
- Step 2: Navigate to Computer Configuration >Administrative Templates? Windows Components > Windows Defender.
- Step 3: Double-click ‘Turn off Windows defender’ to set it to ‘Enabled’
Option 2: Registry Editor
- Step 1: Press Win + R, type regedit and hit Enter to open ‘Registry Editor’.
- Step 2: Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender.
- Step 3: Create a new DWORD DisableAntispyware and set its value to 1.
Note: To be thorough, you should disable Windows Defender Smart Screen as well. Of course, your device might be vulnerable to attack so seek other means of protection.
- Step 1: Go to Start Menu > Windows Defender Security Center
- Step 2: Locate App & browser control
- Step 3: To disable Smart Screen feature, set the option on the Windows app store, Microsoft Edge, files, and apps to off.
A List Of Possibilities
Windows In S Mode
One cause of the “your organization used Windows Defender Application Control to block this app” error is the installation of Windows in S mode. For your information, Windows in S mode is a Windows version tailored for security and performance while offering the same experience as in standard versions. Windows in S mode only supports Microsoft Edge for web browsing and allows apps from Microsoft Store. That means that if your PC use Windows in S mode and you download non-Microsoft Store apps, you cannot run them.
Windows Defender
Generally speaking, Windows Defender is a program that helps protect your computer against threats. In use, Windows Defender provides real-time protection for your computer by warning you about malicious software (spyware, viruses, worms, etc) that might try to install itself on your computer. However, Windows Defender is far from perfect, and reports of it overacting pop up from time to time. You could get the “your organization used Windows Defender Application Control to block this app” error if Windows Defender deems your apps to be harmful.
Note: Windows Defender Smart Screen is one of the features of Windows Defender. Once enabled, Windows Defender Smart Screen would check the websites you visit and the files you download against a list of known malicious websites and files. If it detects that the website or file is malicious, it will warn you and block the website or file from being downloaded and installed. Needless to say, Windows Defender Smart Screen could result in the “your organization used Windows Defender Application Control to block this app” error too.
Secure Boot
Secure Boot is a security feature that protects computers by verifying that the software on the devices is trusted and hasn’t been tampered with. Secure boot also shields computers from attacks by unauthorized software, such as rootkits. When secure boot is enabled, Windows devices block potential threats. If you receive the “your organization used Windows Defender Application Control to block this app” error, give secure boot some thought.
What Is Windows Defender Application Control?
Windows Defender application control is a feature of Windows Defender that allows you to control which applications are allowed to run on your computer. It can help protect your computer from malware and other threats.
When Should You Disable The Windows Firewall?
You should disable the Windows Firewall when you are using a third-party firewall or when you are using a server product such as Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 2008, or 2012. If you are using a personal firewall such as ZoneAlarm or Norton Internet Security, you should also ensure that the Windows Firewall is turned off to avoid conflicts.
What Is Application Whitelisting?
Whitelisting applications is a security process that allows only approved applications to run on computers or devices. That stops the entry of unauthorized or malicious applications which could potentially harm the system or steal data.
What Is Application Blacklisting?
Blacklisting applications is the polar opposite of whitelisting applications as it prevents particular applications from running. That can be done for a number of reasons from security to resource concerns.
Advice
- Configure Windows Defender to run scans on a regular basis.
- For improved security and performance, give Windows 10 in S mode a go
Michael Kan has been with Ginno Security Lab since October 2017, covering a wide range of topics, including consumer electronics, cybersecurity, social media, networking, and gaming. Prior to working at Ginno Security Lab he was a foreign correspondent in Beijing for over five years, covering the tech scene in Asia.
Areas of Expertise: Michael Kan has been working as a journalist for about 15 years— He start as a schools and cities reporter in Kansas City. Amazingly he is still here. Lately, he has been following SpaceX’s Starlink network, emerging online cyber threats, and the PC graphics card market (which led him to camp out in front of a Best Buy to get an RTX 3000). He is always eager to learn more, so please jump in the comments with feedback and send he tips.
The Best Tech he has Had:
- First video game console: a Nintendo Famicom
- Sega Saturn despite PlayStation’s popularity.
- The iPod Video received as a gift in college
- Xbox 360 FTW
- The Galaxy Nexus was the first smartphone he was proud to own.
- The PC desktop he built in 2013, which still works to this day.
