Have you ever downloaded an app that was more trouble than it’s worth? We’ve all been there. Fortunately, Windows 11 has a built-in security feature called Smart App Control to help you steer clear of shady software. This article will guide you to enable or disable Smart App Control on Windows 11 PC.

But first things first, what exactly is Smart App Control, and how does it work? Smart App Control is a security feature that offers extra protection and complements existing security features like Windows Defender. It uses Microsoft’s app intelligence services and code integrity checks to block untrusted, malicious, and potentially unwanted apps (PUAs) that slow down your PC, display unexpected ads, install unwanted software, or engage in other undesirable activities.

With this understanding, let’s enable the Smart App Control feature on your Windows 11 machine.

How to Turn on Smart App Control in Windows 11

There are multiple ways to enable Smart App Control in Windows 11. We will explain each method step-by-step. Let’s begin with one of the most common and easiest ways.

1. Using Settings

Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type Settings, and click Open.

Step 2: Navigate to ‘Privacy & security’ from the side pane. On the right pane, under Security, click on Windows Security.

Step 3: Click on ‘Open Windows Security.’ This will launch the Windows Security window. 

Step 4: Go to ‘App & browser control’ on the left pane and choose ‘Smart App Control settings’ under Smart App Control on the right.

Step 5: Finally, select On to enable Smart App Control on your Windows.

That’s it. You have successfully enabled Smart App Control on your Windows 11 PC.

2. Using the Registry Editor

This method is more complex than the above one, but the steps are simple to follow. However, because we will use the Registry Editor, we recommend backing up the Windows Registry before proceeding with the steps below. 

Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type Registry Editor, and click ‘Run as administrator.’

Note: Alternatively, press the Windows R key to open the Run dialog box, type regedit.exe, and click OK to open Registry Editor.

In the prompt, select Yes. 

Step 2: In the top address bar, enter the following path:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CI\Policy

Note: You can manually navigate to the section too.

Step 3: Find and double-click on the VerifiedAndReputablePolicyState key.

Step 4: Now, type 1 in the Value Data field to enable Smart App Control, or type 2 to put Smart App Control in Evaluation mode and press OK.

Finally, reboot the system to implement the changes. And that’s it! After booting up your PC again, Smart App Control will be enabled or in evaluation mode, depending on the value you inputted.

How to Turn Off Smart App Control on Windows 11

It is essential to note that if you disable Smart App Control, you will no longer receive warnings about potentially harmful apps. This means you can install any app you want, regardless of its origin. However, it is essential to be careful about the apps that you install, as disabling Smart App Control will leave you more vulnerable to malware and other threats.

That said, you might want to disable Smart App Control for a few reasons. For example, if you frequently download and install apps from outside the Microsoft Store, Smart App Control might occasionally block legitimate apps. Additionally, Smart App Control can sometimes cause false positives, mistakenly identifying a safe app as harmful. Follow the below-mentioned steps.

Step 1: Press the Windows key on your keyboard, type Settings, and click Open.

Step 2: Navigate to ‘Privacy & security’ from the side pane. On the right pane, click on Windows Security under Security.

Step 3: Click on ‘Open Windows Security.’

This will launch the Windows Security window.

Step 4: Go to ‘App & browser control’ on the left pane and choose ‘Smart App Control settings’ under Smart App Control on the right.

Step 5: Finally, select Off to disable Smart App Control on your Windows.

Step 6: In the pop-up menu, click on ‘Yes, I’m sure.’ to disable Smart App Control.

There you have it. You have successfully turned off Smart App Control on your Windows 11 PC.

FAQs About Smart App Control in Windows 11

Keep Your Windows Secure

Now that you know how to enable or disable Smart App Control in Windows 11, you can proactively protect your PC from harmful applications. However, Smart App Control is still evolving and cannot eliminate malware apps. So, practice safe browsing habits and download apps from trusted sources. You can also learn how to enable the Local Security Authority process in Windows 11.