Controlled Folder Access Blocked problem in Windows Defender

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.

Hi Fahd,

On the Ransomeware protection screen, below the Controlled folder access button,

there is an option, "Allow an app through Controled folder access". If you select that

option, you can allow an app to pass thru Controled folder access.

Click on  +  "Add an allowed app". When you do, it opens Explorer for you. You

can navigate to the app that you want to allow, click on it, and click "open".

Example: Navigate to C: > Program Files > CCleaner > CCleaner64  (the application).

Click on CCleaner64, and "open.

The application will be added to allowed apps list, and Controlled folder access will

let it through. Much better to do it this way. Turning the feature OFF, takes away some

of your built in protection.

Regards,  Glen

Hi Fahd,

On the Ransomeware protection screen, below the Controlled folder access button,

there is an option, "Allow an app through Controled folder access". If you select that

option, you can allow an app to pass thru Controled folder access.

Click on  +  "Add an allowed app". When you do, it opens Explorer for you. You

can navigate to the app that you want to allow, click on it, and click "open".

Example: Navigate to C: > Program Files > CCleaner > CCleaner64  (the application).

Click on CCleaner64, and "open.

The application will be added to allowed apps list, and Controlled folder access will

let it through. Much better to do it this way. Turning the feature OFF, takes away some

of your built in protection.

Regards,  Glen

Except that is not always the case. I receive the notification on iexplore (which i've allowed), rundll32 (which i've allowed), excel, and word (both of which i've allowed.) outside of iexplore, the others are recent blocks. Others i've allowed no longer are blocked but the fact that Microsoft generated items are being blocked regularly is strange.

How do I turn it off?  It is horrendous.  It blocks Outlook.  (You realize that is a MS app right?).  I have added Outlook as an allowed app.  It doesn't work.

Syncing with my Google drive now fails.  Writing to my documents folder fails.  I've tried to unblock the app.  No luck.

All of my Canon (You know - Canon - The world-renowned hackers and camera makers) software is blocked.  I have had to unblock several applications.  Maybe the CIO of Microsoft and Canon could get together to figure out which applications are safe.  Include folks from Alphabet (Google) to the meeting too.

I've gone through the useless steps of turning off the Controlled folder access.  I click to turn it off.  The popup asking if I will allow the app to make changes appears.  I click yes.  Then it turns this horrid pile of rubbish setting back on.

Where in the registry do I fix this myself?  I never should have turned it on.  I made this mistake about a week ago and have been dreading it ever since.

Hi Jimmy,

Sorry to hear about your problem with Controlled Folder Access. My PC works

with the feature, exactly as depicted. I am at v1803 Build 17134.228.

Obviously, there is some common problem, that is affecting several of you.

The switch that won't stay turned off, is really weird. Their must be some

sort of corruption in your OS. You may want to consider a Repair Upgrade.

Since mine is working, I am sure I will be of no help. However, you asked for

a place in the Registry where you might be able to gain control over the

feature. I have located just such a place. Ten Forums has an article, describing

how to enable / disable Controlled Folder Access. You may have to determine

how you can get the Registry key to allow you to modify it though. It doesn't

cooperate, even as an administrator.

Hkey_Local_Machine\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Windows

 Defender Exploit Guard\Controlled Folder Access >EnableControlledFolderAccess.

DWord = 0 is Disable.  DWord = 1 is Enable.

If you are adventurous, they also offer a download for a Registry tweak, that is

supposed to do what you want. Good luck. I hope this helps you out.

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/113380-enable-disable-controlled-folder-access-windows-10-a.html#option4

Glen