Whitelisting is mostly useful for situations where applications are flagged incorrectly by Windows Defender (false positives). This option lets you whitelist applications so that these programs may interact with protected files and folders. Allow an app through controlled folder access You cannot remove these default folders, but you can add custom folder locations so that the added folders are protected by the security feature as well.Ĭlick on 'add a protected folder' to select a local folder and have it added to the protected folders listing. Public: Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, Desktop.User: Documents, Pictures, Videos, Music, Desktop, Favorites.Windows Defender protects some folders automatically these are: The list of folders that are protected by Controlled Folder Access is displayed when you click on the link. When you switch the security feature to on, two links are added underneath it. Accept the UAC prompt to make the change.Toggled 'Controlled folder access' on the page to enable the feature.Scroll down to the Ransomware Protection section and select Manage ransomware protection.Go back to the Windows Security Main page.Make sure that real-time protection is enabled.When Windows Security opens in a new window, select 'manage settings' under Virus & threat protection settings.Select Virus & threat protection when the Windows Security page opens.Select Update & Security > Windows Security.Use Windows-I to open the Settings application.Windows 10 users may enable and manage Controlled Folder Access using the Windows Defender Security Center application.

Windows 10 controlled folder access