Windows Update Disables Smart App Control: Here's How to Fix It

Overview of the Issue

With Microsoft's recent update released on October 13, 2023, users of Windows 11 have encountered an issue where the Smart App Control setting has been disabled. This security feature was introduced in 2022 and is designed to safeguard users by blocking potentially harmful applications and files.

While Microsoft's updates usually enhance the security and functionality of Windows, this particular glitch has caused some frustration among users. Smart App Control is crucial for protecting your system from newly emerging and potentially dangerous threats.

Checking Your System

Although Microsoft is aware of the problem and is working on an official fix that will be rolled out in a future update, there is a workaround available for those affected. First, you’ll need to check if your device is experiencing this issue.

To do so, navigate to Settings, select Privacy & Security, and then click on Windows Security. Look for App & Browser Control under Protection Areas. Once you open Smart App Control settings, if you find that the option to turn it on is grayed out, then you have encountered the bug.

Implementing the Workaround

If your Smart App Control is indeed disabled, there is a quick fix involving the Windows Registry. First, ensure you run the command prompt with administrative privileges to make necessary changes.

1. Type cmd in the Search bar and right-click on Command Prompt, then select Run as administrator.
2. In the command prompt window, enter the following two commands one at a time:

reg add “HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Policies\Microsoft\FeatureManagement\Overrides” /v 2883193997 /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

reg add “HKLM\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Policies\Microsoft\FeatureManagement\Overrides” /v 2850574478 /t REG_DWORD /d 1 /f

After running each command, you should see a confirmation message indicating that the operation was successful. Following this, close the command prompt and restart your PC.

Reactivating Smart App Control

Once your computer is rebooted, revisit the Smart App Control settings page. The option to enable the feature should now be accessible. It is recommended to keep Smart App Control activated, as it adds an essential layer of protection against unknown malware.

However, if you frequently download files from unfamiliar sources, this protection might impede your activities. In such cases, you could turn it off temporarily but consider keeping it active for overall security.

Conclusion

This recent update highlights the occasional hiccups that can occur with Windows updates. Nonetheless, users have a straightforward workaround to restore Smart App Control while waiting for Microsoft’s permanent resolution.