Controlled Folder Access Blocked problem in Windows Defender

Anonymous
2018-01-02T16:41:03+00:00

On 12/13 , Windows Defender did an update and ever since I keep getting messages like the following when I try to access programs such as Carbonite, Quicken, etc.  The message says:

Controlled folder Access Blocked C:\Program Folders ...qw.exe from making changes to the folder %userprofile\desktop

I have turned off the Controlled Folder Access off in Windows Defender as this error message popped up every time I wanted to access a program.  I was able to get into the program but need to know what is going on and what I can do about it.  Thank you.

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Security and privacy

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-03-25T22:02:25+00:00

    I was able to get the control access folder off but doesn't that cause a issue with stuff being able to get in my computer. what you sent for me to down load came up with no problems...I am very confused but I do see others are having this problem....hope they come up with a fix soon

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  2. Anonymous
    2018-03-25T20:48:10+00:00

    I was answering the original question belatedly, since it was never resolved. You might need to scan for malware with some of the tools listed here, starting with Malwarebytes Free:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/protect_other-protect_scanning-windows_other/list-of-malware-removal-tools/d824b9af-ebd8-4c47-94e2-8ee6c544c100

    The interface for allowing an app through Controlled Folder Access is a file-picker dialog, where you select the file from the File Explorer list and then click on the Open button. But if the switch for Controlled Folder Access is greyed out, then it sounds like you might have put Windows Defender into some kind of undefined error state due to a conflict with the paid version of Spybot, or perhaps with some other third-party AV app. You can try disabling or uninstalling your third-party AV protection and then see if you can switch Controlled Folder Access off.

    GreginMich

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  3. Anonymous
    2018-03-25T20:21:15+00:00

    Do I type in what pops up? the notice I typed out to you?

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  4. Anonymous
    2018-03-25T19:54:19+00:00

    See the answer in this thread:

    https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/protect/forum/protect_defender-protect_scanning-windows_10/control-folder-access-blocked-cprogram-filesqwexe/0842c0df-98b0-428e-9299-7c7c8e6d3084

    For issues with installing applications, simply turn Controlled Folder Access off for the duration of the installation, and then back on again when the installation finishes.

    GreginMich

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  5. Anonymous
    2018-03-25T18:14:23+00:00

    I too am getting this same pop up. I have updated my virus protection and spybot and I am getting---- unauthorized changes blocked. controlled folder access folder blocked C: \windows Rundll32.exe from making changes to the folder %userprofile%favorites.

    it has taken my favorites and task bar favorite.

    HELP!!

    I have done everything it has said to do and my controlled settings is faded out so can't do anything

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