Smart App Control is a built-in security feature in Windows 11 that helps protect your system by automatically blocking potentially harmful or untrusted applications. It uses advanced machine learning and Microsoft's security intelligence to decide whether an app is safe to run, effectively preventing malicious software from compromising your PC. Activating this feature can significantly reduce the risk of malware infections, unwanted software installations, and other security threats.

Check Your System Compatibility and Status

Before you activate Smart App Control, ensure your system meets the requirements. Smart App Control is available only on Windows 11 versions 22H2, 23H2, 24H2, or later, and it must be enabled on a clean installation—not on systems upgraded from Windows 10. Additionally, your device must support Secure Boot and TPM 2.0.

To verify your current Smart App Control status, open the Windows Security app by pressing Windows key, typing Windows Security, and pressing Enter. Navigate to App & browser control, then select Smart App Control settings. Here, you’ll see if the feature is currently active, in evaluation mode, or turned off.

Method 1: Activate Smart App Control via Windows Security

The most straightforward way to turn on Smart App Control is through the Windows Security application.

Step 1: Open Windows Security by clicking the Start menu, typing Windows Security, and selecting the app from the search results.

Step 2: In the left-hand menu, click on App & browser control.

Step 3: Under the Smart App Control section, click on Smart App Control settings.

Step 4: Select the Evaluation mode. In this mode, Smart App Control monitors your apps without immediately blocking them. It assesses whether the system can run the feature without negatively affecting your daily use. After the evaluation period, if everything runs smoothly, it automatically switches to active mode.

Note: If the setting is grayed out or shows "Off," your system likely doesn't meet the requirements or isn't a clean installation. In this case, a fresh installation of Windows 11 would be necessary to enable Smart App Control.

Method 2: Enable Smart App Control Using the Registry Editor

If the Windows Security method isn't available, you can manually activate Smart App Control through the Registry Editor. Before proceeding, it's critical to back up your registry to prevent potential issues.

Step 1: Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog, type regedit, and press Enter.

Step 2: Navigate to the following path in the Registry Editor:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CI\Policy

Step 3: Double-click on the registry key named VerifiedAndReputablePolicyState. If this key doesn't exist, you may need to create it manually by right-clicking in the right pane, selecting New > DWORD (32-bit) Value, and naming it accordingly.

Step 4: After creating the Key, double-click on it set the value data to 1 to enable Smart App Control or 2 to activate Evaluation mode. Click OK and restart your computer to apply the changes.

How Smart App Control Works

Once activated, Smart App Control continuously evaluates applications attempting to run on your device. It uses Microsoft's cloud-based intelligence to determine app safety based on digital signatures, publisher reputation, and observed behavior. When an application is flagged as potentially harmful, Smart App Control prevents it from running and displays a notification informing you of the blocked action.

Be aware that Smart App Control does not provide an option to unblock individual apps. If a legitimate application is mistakenly blocked, you may need to disable the feature entirely, which requires reinstalling or resetting Windows 11 with the option to keep your files.

Disabling Smart App Control

If you find Smart App Control overly restrictive or it blocks trusted applications, you may choose to disable it. However, once disabled, it cannot be reactivated without performing a clean installation or resetting Windows 11.

To disable Smart App Control, go to Windows Security > App & browser control > Smart App Control settings, and select Off. Confirm your choice when prompted. Remember, turning off this feature increases your vulnerability to malware and other security threats, so proceed cautiously.

Best Practices for Using Smart App Control

To maximize Smart App Control’s effectiveness:

  • Regularly update your Windows 11 system to ensure it has the latest security definitions and patches.
  • Download and install apps only from trusted sources, such as the official Microsoft Store or reputable software publishers.
  • Keep Smart App Control enabled whenever possible, especially if you frequently install new software or browse unfamiliar websites.
  • Combine Smart App Control with other security measures, like reputable antivirus software and strong firewall settings, for comprehensive protection.

By setting up Smart App Control, you're proactively securing your Windows 11 PC from malicious apps and potential security threats. It's a simple yet powerful step toward maintaining a safer computing environment.