Go to the following location: Computer Configuration –> Administrative Templates –> Windows Components –> Windows Defender Antivirus –> Windows Defender Exploit Guard –> Controlled Folder Access.Open Run dialog by pressing “Windows +R” key, and type “gpedit.msc” to open the Group Policy Editor console.

You can enable the Controlled Folder Access feature via the Group Policy Editor by going to the following steps: Enable Controlled Folder Access Via Group Policy Editor If any software or app needs to get access to any file from that particular protected folder, that software won’t be able to get access to it due to permission issues and gives you a message that the software is incapable of doing this. So you are done by enabling the “Controlled folder access” feature on your system, now your folders will be protected from any attacks and malware. You have to click on the option to add folders that you want to protect.

As you toggle the button to enable the feature, a “Protected Folders” option will be visible to you.

Enable this option by switching the toggle button available with this option.

When the settings open, find the option of “Controlled folder access” from the list by scrolling down.

Next, you need to open “Virus and Threat Protection settings” from the options.

When the window of WDSC will open, from the left-hand column, open the “Virus and Threat Protection” option.

Open the Windows Defender Security Center from the Start Menu’ search bar.

You can enable the newly added features of Controlled Folder Access from the Windows Defender Security Center.

How do I add folders to the protected folders list?Įnable Controlled Folder Access Via Windows Defender Security Center.

Enable Controlled Folder Access Via PowerShell console.

Enable Controlled Folder Access Via Group Policy Editor.

Enable Controlled Folder Access Via Windows Defender Security Center.

Microsoft controlled folder access