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How to block potentially unwanted apps on your Windows device
3 min. read
Updated onFebruary 20, 2024
updated onFebruary 20, 2024
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Key notes
Malware, ransomware, and spyware spiked up in the last two months, so you have to become extra careful about protecting your data. Microsoft did double time on patching security issues and now it’s made it a priority.
Windows Defender is also updated pretty frequently and it has improved protection against the newthreats. Moreover, through theWindows10 May 2020 Update, Microsoft introduced a new security feature to protect your PC from potentially unwanted applications onWindows10 and Windows 11 as well.
The first rule ofInternet securityis to never download apps with a poor reputation from wherever you find them free.
That’s because many of them come bundled with potentially unwanted applications (PUA) and if you run them, you will start seeing the consequences: pop-up ads, the system is slowing down, and suddenly, the search engine in your browser is changed.
Microsoft introduces, with theWindows10 May 2020, a newreputation-basedprotection feature in theWindowsSecurity app. The new security feature offers protection against PUAs, but right now it’s not enabled by default.
How can I block potentially unwanted apps on Windows?
If you want to turn on the PUA protection and block them inWindows10 and Windows 11, follow these steps:
Once you turn on the feature, Windows Security app will block adware, cryptocurrency miners, and other unwanted scamming apps which can be bundled with your free software downloads.
Windows Security app will also let you manage PUA protection and block or allow apps, downloads, or both. It’s nice to know that this feature is also included in the Microsoft Edge browsers soWindows Defenderwill automatically scan for PUA as the app is being downloaded in the browser.
For the Chromium-based Microsoft Edge, you will need to enable the PUA protection manually. Just open the Edge settings and go to the Privacy and services section. Then scroll down until you find Services and enable theBlock potentially unwanted applicationsoption.
We’ve actually tried downloading some known shady adware apps to see how it goes and it doesn’t actually work just yet.
These steps can be useful in blockingOneLaunch malware, so don’t hesitate to give them a try.
If you have any questions or suggestions, make sure you leave it in the comments section below.
More about the topics:Microsoft Windows Defender,security
Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, Claudiu is focused on whatever comes new from Microsoft.
His abrupt interest in computers started when he saw the first Home Computer as a kid. However, his passion for Windows and everything related became obvious when he became a sys admin in a computer science high school.
With 14 years of experience in writing about everything there is to know about science and technology, Claudiu also likes rock music, chilling in the garden, and Star Wars. May the force be with you, always!
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Claudiu Andone
Windows Toubleshooting Expert
Oldtimer in the tech and science press, with 14 years of experience in writing on everything there is to know about science, technology, and Microsoft
