Windows security warnings

Question

On the advice of an article from the internet, I turned something on in Windows Security that prevents unauthorized changes to system files or something like that. Unfortunately for me, now I get the following error report about every 20 minutes. Looked through WS settings and could not find what I turned on. Can someone help me mitigate these warnings or turn off the setting?

Answer 1

In the same menu which you could do Scan , you should see Protection history.

In case you turn it off, you won't see any warning.

You may open start and search for feedback and open the Feedback Hub app and file a report and share your concern and experience with using this feature.

Answer 2

Windows 11 Pro is installed on C:\ along with all the system files. Data files are on D:\

I don't know where the History is.

I remember seeing the history before. All the "intrusions" were labeled LOW.

I shut off Controlled Folder Access. It's more grief than I want to deal with and it doesn't seem to be protecting the right files.

Thanks for your response.

DW

Answer 3

Did you install Windows on C: or D: drive?

It will automatically protect these folders

Have you checked the history?

It should tell you more detail of why it was block.

Answer 4

I located the protected folder list in windows security.

C:\Users\dalew\OneDrive\Documents
C:\Users\Public\Documents
C:\Users\dalew\OneDrive\Pictures
C:\Users\Public\Pictures
C:\Users\PubIic\Videos
D:\Music
C:\Users\Public\Music
C:\Users\dalew\Favorites

I don't use OneDrive, so the OneDrive directories are moot.

I don't actively use the C:\users\*.* directories; all my document files are on D:.  Those are moot.

I DO use D:/music, but what a stupid directory to protect- no system files.

How did Windows 11 choose THESE directories?  Can't seem to DELETE any of them from the list page; DELETE is grayed out.

How should I choose directories that SHOULD I be protecting?  I would assume things like the files on C:, like \Drivers, \Intel, \Program Data, \Windows, etc.

An you help me understand?  Guess I don't understand.

Answer 5

Hi,

You enabled a feature called Controlled folder access which is good mitigation against ransomwares and unauthorized change to the system. Have a look at Virus and Threat Protection in the Windows Security App - Microsoft Support.

You may enable and disable this feature.

When you see this warning, you have to see what is causing this and in the Microsoft Defender history, you will see list of blocked and if they are incorrectly blocked, you may add them to allow list.