You can enable controlled folder access by using any of these methods:Īudit mode allows you to test how the feature would work (and review events) without impacting the normal use of the device. Controlled folder access is also included as part of the modern, unified solution for Windows Server 2012R. Controlled folder access is included with Windows 10, Windows 11, and Windows Server 2019. Windows Defender is fine for just existing, but there are so many way better, more capable options that are faster and also free.Want to experience Defender for Endpoint? Sign up for a free trial.Ĭontrolled folder access helps you protect valuable data from malicious apps and threats, such as ransomware. They haven't fixed it for years and looks like they never will. Windows Defender just blocks it and becomes major pain in the rear to a point I always just turned that nonsense off.

Avast has similar system, but not only actually works using own extensive whitelist, it's fully automatic and only asks if unknown apps tries to access protected folders. Same folders that you can't even adjust, they are hardcoded in. It's suppose to use whitelist to avoid being annoying yet it keeps on being annoying and complaining about legit apps modifying files in protected folders. And its antiransomware component (Controlled folder access or whatever it's called) has been broken since its very introduction. I thought it would get better over time, but it's still identically bad as it was years ago. Which Windows Defender just seems to keep resetting non stop and rescanning same stuff or something. Not even straight after install and it gets even lighter after it has checked files and flagged them as clean in the scan cache. I never ever had anything like this with Avast.

Compiling of apps always takes so much longer and it visibly chokes the system again. It just chokes entire system for a second. It gets really bad when you try to run something like NVIDIA driver installer. It significantly slows down all systems I've tried them on, including my desktop with Ryzen 5800X,32GB RAM and 2TB SSD. moreDoesn't slowdown and it's lightweight? It's ANYTHING but that. Anonymous, Why so much hate? Windows defender is greatly improved and doesn't slow down your laptop/.

Windows defender folder protection